Michigan and back in 5.5 days

We decided to take advantage of the holiday weekend for a quick road trip to check in with the parents and other assorted family in Michigan.  (OK, to be honest, Kurt said I made him go).  To sweeten the bribe I did scope out a few local wine stops.
Day one:  I had checked in with Tammy (misswineOH) for stops along the Ohio turnpike.  She told us that Hermes and Firelands were true Ohio wineries, using Ohio grapes - bonus was they were only a few miles from each other in the Sandusky area.

We swung into Hermes Vineyards first. The tastings are done in a rustic old barn.  Fees are $1 per wine, or $5 for the featured flight of 6 wines. They currently have about 20 wines on their listing, ranging in price from $10 (Sauvignon Blanc) to $26 (Gewurztraminer) - most are in the $13 -$14 range.  We both decide to skip around the list.  The whites I tried, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling were all acceptable, but nothing memorable about them. And I was astounded at the $26 Grewutz - not worth that at all.  Kurt tried a few of the whites and a Malbec and the Cote de Hermes, a GSM blend, which he found to be decent enough.  Last taste, the Port, $15 for 375ml - this one was not my style at all, bitter raisins was the note I made.   We left Hermes empty handed, with hopes for a different experience at Firelands.

We were indeed happier with Firelands Winery, from the first impression (grape vines near the tasting room actually looked like someone had been caring for them) to the end. Fireland bottles 5 labels - Firelands and Mantey, which are in the tasting room and Mon Ami, Dover and Lonz.  Most of their grapes are grown on an island in Lake Erie, Isle St.George.  They told us they are the largest winery in Ohio, and have been in business since the 1880's.

Generally they offer 2 tastings, dry and sweet, 6 wines for $5.  Since it was a Thursday afternoon and they were not terribly busy, I was allowed to skip around in the dry whites and add a couple other choices of my own.  Kurt stuck to the standard dry tasting.   

Kurt liked the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but his favorite red was the Pinot Noir.  Unfortunately, the Pinot Noir is made with California grapes.  The Pinot Grigio ($11) was light and fruity, with citrus and apple flavor.  This is a crisp and refreshing white.  We were big fans of the Firelands Ice Wine ($30).  This is a true late harvest Vidal with sweetness balanced with acidity.  We were impressed with the overall quality of Firelands wines and by the scope of their operation.  We left with the Barrel Select Chardonnay ($12), a Riesling ($11) and Gewurztraminer ($11).  With over 30 wines, (including fizzies and Port) there was a lot to choose from!

Day two: Our first Michigan destination was Pigeon, in Huron County (in the Thumb, for those of you who know MI geography).  We were somewhat amazed to find in nearby Bad Axe the Dizzy Daisy Winery.  Dizzy Daisy folks told us they grow 98 percent of their own grapes, importing only Zinfandel and Pinot Noir from CA.  They have quite a large list of fruit wines, growing all the fruit as well. While they did have some recognizable varietal names, many of their wine had cute names and our pourer wasn't exactly sure what grapes where in many of the blends.  We did leave with a Marechal Foch,for $5, on clearance for the new vintage, and an Orange Muscato for our hosts, for $10 (and they really liked it!)  It was an interesting diversion for the afternoon.

Day three:  Heading farther north we stopped in at Modern Craft Winery in Au Gres.  While they do have wines with recognizable names here (like Chardonnay, Merlot, Concord) it seems that all their grapes are imported.  Sigh.... that info was NOT on the web site.  They did have a large variety of fruit wines and meads that we chose a few samples from.  They even make a wine from maple syrup, but didn't have any at the present time.  I made the mistake of trying the Blueberry Pancake - a blend of the Blueberry wine and Maple wine - not at all pleasant!  We did leave with a bottle of the Cherry Sunset - 100 percent cherry wine from Michigan tart cherries, $10.

Day four: spent with my tea drinking mother......

Day five: Headed south toward home again we stopped in Frankenmuth, also know as little Bavaria, it is most widely know for Christmas stores and fried chicken dinners.  But the Michigan Wine Country magazine listed 2 tasting rooms there and it was just a short hop off the freeway.

First stop St. Julian's tasting room, one of 3 satellites.  The main winery and Vineyards are in Paw Paw, in the southwestern part of the state.  They say they are the oldest vineyard/winery in MI and make over 40 wines, sparkling juices, brandy and even a grape based vodka.   Tasting our $5 for 6 wines, your choice.  The pours were generous, so between the 2 of us we tasted a dozen different wines, probably some of the best of our trip.  Wines were generally in the $10 to $20 range.  We left with a semi-dry 2010 Riesling, on clearance for $6.  I have to admit, it didn't make it home with us - we cracked it open in our hotel room that night.

A quick $13 lunch at Frankenmuth Brewery; half price burger Monday, and Brown Ale special $1 for a pint, and then on to Wolcroft Winery.  Wolcroft also grows their grapes in southwest MI.  The tasting room offers $5 tasting of 6 wines with chocolate samples, or 6 wines, no chocolate, but keep your glass.  (we both opted for the chocolate).  You also can take a small river boat cruise for your wine tasting, if you have the time.  I don't have any notes from this stop at all, but my impression was that St. Julian was definitely the better stop of the day.

One of these days, we will have to make the effort of a trip to the Traverse Bay area, where it is said that the truly good MI wines are produced.  The harvest this year however is not going to be good, from what we heard - grapes, cherries and other fruit trees were hit by spring frost and suffered greatly.   It is interesting to see what other states are doing, but was very good to know we were coming back to VA and the wines we love here.