Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival 2013 Photos

The Lake Michigan Shore Wine festival was held at Weko Beach in Bridgman, Michigan on June 15th. This event is held literally on the shores of Lake Michigan and featured 15 wineries pouring 56 wines.

The variety of local grapes used to make wine by The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country wineries is impressive by any standard.  40% of the wines featured at the Weko Beach event this year were Michigan vinifera wines, another indication that production of traditional European cultivars continues to expand in Southwest Michigan.  Top vinifera wines poured included a Syrah from Karma Vista Winery, a Pinot Grigio from Lawton Ridge Winery and Hickory Creek Pinot Noir.

See related story: Traverse City Wine and Art Festival Photos

Of course, labrusca (juice grape) and hybrid wines are still crowd favorites for the attendees who were more or less evenly split between Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.  Hybrid standouts included Tabor Hill Winery’s Valvin Muscat and Fenn Valley’s Late Harvest Vignoles.

Harding’s Friendly Markets of Bridgman was a main sponsor of the event.   Harding’s in Bridgman has one the most extensive selections of Michigan wines in the state. Other sponsors included Southwestern Michigan Tourism, The Economic Growth Alliance (Partnership of Lake Township and City of Bridgman) and the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country wine trail.

The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival at Weko Beach

Dean Bender and Judy Hanna of Lawton Ridge Winery

Amanda and Keith Hermann of Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery

David Butkovich of Kody Kresta Vineyard and Winery

Aaaron Harr and Susan Puckett of Fenn Valley Winery

Gina Svec and Rachel Plank of Tabor Hill Restaurant and Winery

Wally Mauer and Ryan Post of Domiane Berrien Cellars

Brittany Doehrer and and Dominic Millano, Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman, Michigan

Vince of Classic Catering in Bridgeman pulls a pizza from a portable oven.