Warmer weather brings outdoor wine festivals all across Michigan. From Blossom Days in May, to Sunrise Side in July, to Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival in September, there are festivals in every region, and for every taste.
Each festival has its own personality, but they all have two things in common ... a great time and a chance to learn about good wine. Michigan's wine festivals include food from local restaurants and often include music and activities for children. It's easy to make a weekend mini-vacation by combining a wine festival with golfing, a trip to the beach, amusement park or other events.
Listed here are a variety of wine festivals throughout the summer. For details and the most up-to-date list of festivals and other events, visit the web site of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, www.michiganwines.com.
May 20-21 - Old Mission Peninsula Blossom Days
May 28 - Interlochen Wine, Food and Fine Arts Festival
June 3 - Ella Sharp Art and Wine Festival (Jackson)
June 10 - Leland Wine and Food Festival
June 17 - Taste of Charlevoix
June 24 - Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival (Bridgman)
July 15 - Sunrise Side Wine and Food Festival (Harrisville)
July 29 - Suttons Bay Jazz and Wine Festival
August 12 - Red, White and The Blues Wine Festival (Northport)
August 26-27 - Wine Days of Summer (Southeast Michigan)
September 8-9 - Hopps of Fun Beer and Wine Festival (Mackinaw City)
September 8-10 - Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival
September 15-17 - Harvest Stompede (Leelanau Peninsula)
Summer Michigan Wine Festivals
May 20-21
Old Mission Peninsula Blossom Days. Celebrate agriculture amid the natural beauty of the Old Mission Peninsula. For $10 you'll receive a souvenir wine glass to use as your ticket for special barrel tastings. www.wineriesofoldmission.com
May 28
Interlochen Wine, Food and Fine Arts Festival. Frog Pond Village, Interlochen. Features wines from Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, live jazz, regional artists, and great food! $10 includes souvenir wine glass and two drink tickets. 12-6pm. www.interlochenchamber.org
June 3
Ella Sharp Art and Wine Festival. Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson. Features wine tasting, art fair, live music, seminars on wines and winemaking, and food by Ella's Granary restaurant. $15 includes souvenir wine glass and two wine sample tickets. www.pioneerwinetrail.com
June 10
Leland Wine and Food Festival. Leland Harbor, Fishtown. Sample the best from 15 Michigan wineries and 10 local restaurants. Live jazz. $10 includes festival glass and two wine tickets. www.lelandmi.com
June 24
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival. Weko Beach, Bridgman. Enjoy a relaxing summer day on a pristine beach to savor award-winning Michigan wines as spectacular as the sunsets. Live music, extraordinary cuisine from local restaurants. Just $5 at entrance. www.miwinetrail.com
July 15
Sunrise Side Wine and Food Festival. Harrisville Harbor. Local wines, local cuisine and live music. A winery favorite! (989) 724-7473. www.huronshoreschamber.com
August 12
Red, White and The Blues Wine Festival. Northport. Featuring Leelanau and Old Mission wines, local cuisine and national blues performers. $10 includes souvenir glass and two wine sample tickets. 12-6pm. www.lpwines.com
August 26-27
Wine Days of Summer. Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail. Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! The Pioneer Wine Trail celebrates the season with a souvenir wine glass and wine and food pairings at the wineries. www.pioneerwinetrail.com
September 8-9
Hopps of Fun Beer and Wine Festival. Featuring 40 Michigan wines, 50 Michigan microbrews, live entertainment and local food. $5 includes collectable wine glass for sampling throughout the weekend. www.mackinawcity.com
September 8-10
Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival. Something for everyone! Live entertainment, 5k walk/run, carnival rides, grape stomp, wine tours and wine tasting events, car show, arts & crafts and more! www.wineandharvestfestival.com
September 15-17
Harvest Stompede. Leelanau Peninsula. You choose ... 7-mile run, 5k run, 3-mile hike or just a leisurely stroll through the vineyards; plus souvenir wine glass, wine tastings, pasta and gallery walk. Tickets prices vary. Purchase tickets online. www.lpwines.com