Best Michigan Wine: 11 Award-Winning Wines To Impress Your Date! 


Best Michigan Wine | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Stand Back Napa Valley, We Got This! 

Michigan Wine is winning some serious awards and the world is finally taking notice...and so will your date when you pop open a bottle of these stellar winners!   

Now is the time to give Michigan wines a more serious look: 


Why is Michigan's Prized Wine Industry So Successful?

St. Joseph, Michigan. By Travel-Mi.comSt. Joseph, Michigan. By Travel-Mi.com


It's all about the lakes, baby!

Our freshwater lakes and glacial soils greatly contribute to our successful agricultural production. The majority of Best Michigan wine grapes grow within 25 miles of Lake Michigan, and for good reason.

The sheer mass of Lake Michigan's waters temper the air along the shoreline regions, protecting fall crops from being destroyed from early frosts.  This "lake affect" also prevents spring crops from blooming too early.

Did you know that lake effect snow also protects grape vines from bitter temperatures? Cool, huh.


"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy."

~Benjamin Franklin

2019 Michigan Wine Competition Awards for the Best Michigan Wine


So, I think it's time to taste test the Best Michigan wine so you can decide for yourself.  I can't think of a better way than tasting wines that won Michigan Wine Competitions such as Best of Class or Double Gold! 

Who won the Best Riesling in the World award?

In 2019, the Michigan Wine Collaborative, the Kellogg Center, Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business and Michigan Craft Beverage Council announced an exciting Michigan Wine Competition!

And so, 63 wineries across the state excitedly entered 439 wines with the hopes of winning big.  All submitted wines were made from Michigan fruits. 

This successful Michigan wine competition brought international attention to Michigan wines and wineries.

So without further adieu, here are the winners!


Michigan Wine-Double Gold Winners


There were three Double Gold Winners in the region, including: 

  • Karma Vista Vineyards Stone Temple Pinot 2015 from Coloma 
  • Lemon Creek Winery’s Kerner 2018 from Berrien Springs 
  • St. Julian’s Braganini Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 from Paw Paw 

Michigan Wine

Best of Class Winners


  • Dry Red: Youngblood Vineyards Marquette Estate, Grown 2018
  • Semi-dry Red: Chateau Fontaine Winery Big Paw Red NV 
  • Dry White: Verterra Winery Pinot Blanc 2018 
  • Semi-dry White: Amoritas Vineyards Mary’s Folly White Wine Field Blend 2017 
  • Sparkling: Mawby Sparking Wines Blanc Brut NV 
  • Fruit:  Yooper Winery Little Portal Point Plum NV 
  • Rosé: Verterra Winery Rosé of Pinot Noir Dry 2018 
  • Dessert: Bel Lago Riesling Ice Wine 2017


May is Michigan Wine Month!! 

So grab some friends or your favorite person and plan a day of tasting!

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Mari Vineyards offers an unbelievable view while sipping a delicious glass of wine. I just could not get over this view as I strolled around the property. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mari Vineyards has over 60 acres of vineyards planted entirely on the Old Mission Peninsula, with more being added every year! Seriously, how can you get a better view?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #marivineyards #whataview #winetasting #michiganwinetasting #wine #winery #miwine #onlyinmichigan #northernmichigan #redwine #traversecity #whitewine #vineyard #michiganwine #puremichigan #puremichigan #traversewinecoast #michigantravel #greatlakesstate #michiganstate #travelingmichigan #greatlakesstateofmind #puremittenpride #lovemichigan #michiganders #exploremichigan #puremittigan

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So there you go!  Grab a bottle of any of the award winning wines above and you will definitely uncork the best Michigan wine!


Guess Who Won the Best Riesling in the World! 

The best Riesling in the world was awarded to Black Star Farms in 2018!!



Did you know there are over 150 Michigan wineries to tour, sip, snack and explore?  There are over 40 wineries just in the Traverse City region! So this means you've got some serious uncorking and toasting in your future! 

I was shocked to learn that just thirty years ago Michigan had less than 20 wineries! Look at us now!


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I thought this barrel room at Brys Estate was so gorgeous! It was one of my favorite stops while exploring the Old Mission wine trail. There are so many gorgeous wineries with amazing views, grounds and wines! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #brysestate #winetrail #winetasting #michiganwinetasting #wine #winery #miwine #traversewinecoast #ompwinetrail #onlyinmichigan #michiganwine #northernmichigan #redwine #traversecity #whitewine #vineyard #michiganwine #puremichigan #puremichigan #traversewinecoast #michigantravel #greatlakesstate #michiganstate #travelingmichigan #greatlakesstateofmind #puremittenpride #lovemichigan #michiganders #exploremichigan #puremittigan⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @bryssecretgarden @ompwinetrail

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About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by!

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

"Sherry & Chris"

We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

    Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

    In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

Sherry & Chris are at the Inn at Bay Harbor and looking out at the lake.
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