With the easing of some state-mandated restrictions comes word from the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail that many of the award-winning and internationally recognized member wineries will be opening for limited-scale inside service beginning Monday, February 1st. The change on indoor seating will be evaluated by the CDC/MDHHS around the third week of February and the SW Michigan Wine Trail will keep everyone apprised of the situation.
While they are welcoming you back, not all are operating under the same conditions. Tastings, curbside pick-up options, outdoor fire pits, heaters and your own personal warm clothing can help you enjoy an experience across the region beginning again next week.
All 15 wineries of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, as listed below, will continue to offer online orders and curbside pick-up.
The following wineries will be offering outdoor service only at this time:
- Karma Vista – online order and curbside pick-up only
- Lemon Creek –outdoor seating and 4-sided tent with heaters. – 25-percent capacity. Online ordering and Curbside pick-up
The following wineries will be offering indoor and outdoor seating, 25-percent capacity applies to both indoor and outdoor:
- 12Corners in Benton Harbor
- Cogdal
- Fenn Valley in Fennville
- Hickory Creek
- Lake Michigan Vintners (depending on weather conditions)
- Julian in Paw Paw
- St Julian in Union Pier
The following wineries are offering indoor seating only:
- 12 Corners in South Haven
- Baroda Founders in both Baroda and St. Joseph
- Chill Hill
- Cody Kresta
- Contessa
- Domaine Berrien
- Fenn Valley in Saugatuck
- Lawton Ridge
- White Pine
The Following Wineries encourage reservations:
- Baroda Founders in both Baroda and St. Joseph
- Fenn Valley in Fennville
- Lake Michigan Vintners
- Hickory Creek
The protocols that are in place for indoor and enclosed outdoor seating include a limit of 25-percent of the normal occupancy. Each winery has a different seating limit due to the size of the tasting room and/or enclosed outdoor structures. Some can only accommodate 4 people max while others can accommodate up to 20+. You are strongly advised to check with the winery in order to make it a pleasant experience for everyone.
In all cases there are rules to follow:
- Masks must be worn until your order has been delivered to your assigned spot(s)
- Social distancing between individuals and tables will be enforced.
- Collection of contact information of all guests who choose indoor seating is required.
- Groups are limited to 6 people. If you have more than 6 you will need to call the winery for details on their policy.
The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is working to dispel any misinterpretation of the reopening announcement that the wineries are opened for business at 100-percent capacity. They are not…it’s 25-percent of occupancy. This reopening is the same protocol as before the last shutdown.
Wine Trail officials appreciate the support the public has shown to their wineries and small businesses during the past year while they work to keep both you and their employees safe.
Meanwhile, the production of quality wines continues along the trail. That has not changed. New releases are beginning, so you are encouraged to check them out. Keep in mind that while participating wineries appreciate those who want to bring a group, any group larger than 6 people is against state protocol.
The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is made up of 15 wineries in Southwest Michigan, covering two excellent Viticulture Areas, the Fennville AVA and the Lake Michigan Shore AVA. They begin at the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck angling to downtown Kalamazoo at the railroad tracks and west to the Michigan/Indiana border.
The member wineries collaborate to bring you the best wines, wine tasting experiences and quality award winning wines, made from grapes grown here, harvested here and turned into wine here.
Visit the website https://www.miwinetrail.com/wineries/ for links to each winery as the schedules for hours and days they are open vary from winery to winery.
On the Lake Michigan Winer Trail they pledge, Great Wine. It’s a Shore Thing.
These are the 15 wineries that comprise the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail:
- 12 Corners
- Baroda Founders Wine Cellar
- Chill Hill Winery
- Cody Kresta Vineyards
- Cogdal Vineyards/Home of Little Man Winery
- Contessa Wine Cellars
- Domaine Berrien Wine Cellars
- Fenn Valley Vineyard & Wine Cellar
- Hickory Creek Winery
- Karma Vista Winery
- Lake Michigan Vintners
- Lawton Ridge Winery
- Lemon Creek Winery
- St. Julian Winery
- White Pine Winery
