Orchards,
Vineyards, and Wineries of SouthWest Michigan
Michigan
wines have been rated excellent by several prestigeous
wine publications.
October
is officially "Michigan Wine Month" in
Michigan.
Approximately
350,000 tourists visit Michigan wineries each year.
There
are several wine festivals held at Michigan wineries each
year.
Many
county fairs and the Michigan State Fair have Michigan
wine tastings and competitions.
Michigan
is currently ranked 13th (in terms of production volume)
of the 49 States that produce wine.
In
2000 Michigan wineries sold $17 million dollars worth of
wine.
Sales
of Michigan wines has risen 27% over the past 4 years.
One
acre of good quality vinifera grapes can bring up to
$1500.
A
History of Bronte Champagne And Wines Company
Bronte
Winery and Vineyards consisted of 150 acres that were
planted in the spring of 1943 by German war prisoners
that were stationed in nearby Hartford, Michigan.
Bronte
wines were distributed throughout the Midwest and have
received international recognition and several awards.
Bronte’s
Baco Noir has been rated “outstanding” and
number one by Bob Damoth of the American Wine
Society.
Bronte’s
Champagne has been rated as “among of the best”
by the prestigious Wine and Food Society of San
Francisco.
Much of
Bronte’s success in making fine wines can be
attributed to the excellent climatic conditions in the
Sister Lakes District vineyards near Lake Michigan.
Lingering warm breezes off of Lake Michigan provide an
extended growing season and allow the grapes to ripen to
perfection in autumn.
