When Lemon Creek Winery of Berrien Springs opened the door onto the 2019 wine season they didn’t just quietly swing open that door, they kicked it wide open with a “Best of Class” victory in the 2019 International Eastern Wine Competition and tossed in three Double Gold awards, a pair of Gold medals, four Silver and two Bronze. That’s some serious success from one of the region’s oldest wineries and estate vineyards right here in Michigan’s Great Southwest. But, hey…it’s their 35th Anniversary, so why not? 
Founded in 1984, Lemon Creek Winery, at 533 E. Lemon Creek Road in Berrien Springs, came to win and did they ever. They received “Best of Class” honors for their 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend in the highly competitive atmosphere of the International Eastern Wine event.
Double Gold awards were also presented for their 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, the 2016 Carmenere and 2017 Kerner. Additionally, the 2017 Chardonnay Reserve and 2016 Vintner’s Reserve received Gold medals, as well as four Silver and two Bronze which were also presented to the estate winery. Amazingly, it might well be just a harbinger of good things to come in this, their 35th Anniversary year.
These awards are the first for Lemon Creek Winery for the 2019 season. Following the accomplishments of 2018, which included awards from the Michigan Wine competition where Lemon Creek entered 33 different wines, all produced and bottled at the vineyard and were honored with 33 medals. Counted among them, a Double Gold for the 2017 Northern Lights Late Harvest Vignoles, along with Gold medals for their 2016 Cabernet Franc, Pheasant Run Red and Silver Beach Sauterne. In addition, 21 Silver medals and 8 Bronze medals were received.
Jeff Lemon is Lemon Creek’s co-owner and the team’s Winemaker. He says, “It is always great to have our wines recognized in national/international competitions. It is confirmation that the quality of our wines is consistent, having picked up right where we left off last year.”
Family owned and operated with 165 years of grape and fruit growing experience, Lemon Creek cultivates 25 different varietals on more than 160 acres of vineyard. The winery specializes in Bordeaux style dry red wines, white German varietals and specialty dessert wines.
Lemon Creek’s vineyards are located six miles east of Lake Michigan atop an alluvial outwash glacial moraine that was deposited over thousands of years as the Lake Michigan glacier began to retreat. The glacial outwash sediment accounts for the variety of soil types found on the farm property allowing the winery to product such diverse and award winning wines.
In addition to the winery in Berrien Springs – where all the wines are grown and produced – Lemon Creek operates a tasting room in Grand Haven. Wine tasting is available year round at either location. Reservations are required for large groups.
Lemon Creek Winery is located at 533 E. Lemon Creek Road in Berrien Springs, and can be reached by phone at 269.417.1321. You can also find them online by clicking this link: http://Lemoncreekwinery.com
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Lemon Creek Winer and is for illustration purposes only, showing past award winners from the winery and not intended to depict the newest awards from this year’s competition.
