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The Chicago Traveler

Fine Wine from the Midwest

by Matt B on October 3rd, 2008

Concluding my southwestern Michigan series, great American wines don't just come from the coastlines. There are actually a few wineries just on the other side of Lake Michigan.

The Round Barn winery in Baroda is a family-owned and operated business that specializes in hand-crafted wines. The barn itself, built in 1911 in Indiana, was taken down and reassembled in Michigan by an Amish construction crew. It houses a caf' where you can munch on sandwiches, salads, or specialty pizzas, while sipping delicious wine. The Round Barn offers much more than estate wine, however; they also sell sparkling wines, cognac, brandy, beer, and DiVine vodka'one of only four vodkas in the world made from grapes.

This area is also home to Lemon Creek Winery and Fruit Farm, where adults and kids can both enjoy the fruits of the farmers' labor. The business has been a fruit farm for over 150 years, growing grapes, apples, peaches, and cherries, which families are invited to pick when in season. The winery started due to a surplus of wine grapes back in the early '80s. As a means of utilizing some of those grapes, the farm added a winery. Now they have more than 19 different wines that are paired deliciously with the fruits Lemon Creek is famous for.

wine grapesThe 80-acre Domaine Berrien Cellars is constantly employing new techniques and vineyard systems, always looking for the best way to produce high quality grapes. The establishment has been making wines for 32 years, but has only been open to the public since 2001. While Domaine specializes in magnificent dry reds, a wide selection of vintages is available.

Now you can walk through some of the country's best vineyards and enjoy the quality wines they produce without traveling several hours by plane. Instead, it's only about a two-hour drive.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Helaman Anders

Round Barn: 10983 Hills Rd (Baroda, MI); 800-716-WINE (9463)
http://www.roundbarnwinery.com/

Union Pier Tasting Room c/o Round Barn: 9185 Union Pier Rd (Union Pier, MI): 269-469-6885
Mon ' Sat: 11:00 a.m. ' 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Sun: 12 noon ' 6:00 p.m.

Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm: 533 E Lemon Creek Rd (Berrien Springs, MI): 269-471-1321
Mon ' Sat: 10:00 a.m. ' 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Sun: 12 noon ' 6:00 p.m.
(subject to change)
http://www.lemoncreekwinery.com/

Domaine Berrien Cellars & Winery: 398 E Lemon Creek Rd (Berrien Springs, MI): 269-473-WINE (9463)
http://www.domaineberrien.com/

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