But whether jazz pairs best with red, or white with a singer-songwriter, know that live music on a vineyard patio-something you'll find in all the wine regions of the state-makes everything better.Įxperiment with pours to the backdrop of the live Celtic tunes frequently booked at Rove Estate Vineyard & Tasting Room, perched on one of the highest points in the Traverse City area, or Dablon Winery and Vineyard in Baroda, where you'll find regular performances of rock, blues and acoustic guitar. There's scientific evidence that music can affect the taste of a given varietal of wine, something that's been explored on sensory tasting experiences at Michigan wineries. On the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, some events pair wine with the expected gourmet samplings, while others like Sips and Chips, offer what you really want to know: What wine goes with my chips and dip or buttery popcorn?! The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula offer an event that pairs wine with creative variations of macaroni and cheese, and its Blossom Days serves up barrel tastings of new vintages in front of orchards in bloom. On the Pioneer Wine Trail, that might mean their “Art on the Trail” pairing of food, wine and the work of a showcased poet, sculptor, musician or writer. They offer maps, making it easy to visit them in succession, and they also join together for regular events. ![]() Wineries across the state have joined together in easy-to-navigate vineyard groupings. The Wine on the Water Festival also combines the sampling of award-winning wines with a shoreline setting, in this case, the charming lakeside town of Suttons Bay. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival brings “wine and tunes to the dunes” in a don't-miss festival held in stunning Warren Dunes State Park. There, you can sample the best vintages from 44 wineries and cideries and also explore the shops, murals, restaurants and fresh foods at a city centerpiece with more than 150 years of history. When you don't have time to travel the whole state to sample, festivals like the Michigan Wine and Cider Festival at Detroit's Eastern Market are the way to go. The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse has views and breakfast too, and you get a complimentary bottle of wine with each night's stay. The plush rooms and suites at Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn and the Inn at Black Star Farms come with private tastings or receptions, gourmet breakfasts and cozy nooks with fireplaces in common areas. If an open air shuttle doesn’t interest you, the company also offers a clean and comfortable 14 passenger "Vino Coach."īook one of the winery inns along the Traverse Wine Coast, and you'll get the chance to play wine chateau owner-and not just that. Book the cushy, roofed deck on wheels, hauled by a tractor, and you'll be conveniently transported between tastings to a selection of Southwest Michigan wineries and getting a countryside tour-fresh air included-en route. Think glam hayride, and you've got the Fruitful Vine Winery Tours’ Wine-o-Wagon. Country roads around Baroda, in the state's southwest corner, are also popular for cycling to wineries on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. There are guided options too, and other spots like 45 North that welcome fat tire bikes on trails that connect vineyards and keep repair tools handy-just in case. Pick from a self-guided tour, and they'll map out your route and pick up your purchases, saving the need to haul clinking bottles in the saddlebag. ![]() Get a rental from Grand Traverse Bike Tours, and from the Suttons Bay front door, you can cycle a flat, safe wooded trail to eight or 10 wineries. Try one of these experiences and see that vineyard visits are still great for sampling-but also, now, for a whole lot more. New patios overlook vineyard panoramas, gourmet food plates pair with each winery's vintage bests, and wineries and their vines have become entertainment centers boasting live music, dinners, in-vines yoga and even grape-decked trails for cycling. ![]() Tour Michigan's many wineries and vineyards and you'll quickly agree with those who describe wine as not simply a drink, but as an experience.
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