Martin Wood (he/him)

Whether it's quirky yet.

With blue-green waters on both sides of the peninsula, this AVA might be one of the most romantic in America.The water moderates the climate, and the sloping vineyards here offer an ideal situation for many grapes, notably some stunning Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Gamay, and even lesser-known grapes like Kerner and Blaufränkisch.

It produces some of the state’s most critically acclaimed wines..Tip of the Mitt.As the name suggests, Michigan’s newest AVA sits at the top portion of the state’s “mitten.” Lakes Michigan and Huron influence this very cool climate zone.

Although some growers succeed with traditional wine grapes like Riesling, most varieties grown here are cold-hardy hybrids that thrive, like Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, and La Crescent..Mari Vineyards Simplicissimus Sparkling Riesling 2022, Old Mission Peninsula ($38).

Sean O’Keefe, son of the first person to plant a significant amount of Riesling in Michigan, studied winemaking in Geisenheim in the Rheingau, what he calls the “Hogwarts of Riesling.” Any Riesling that he touches seems to shine, including this stunning bubbly variation.

Pineapple, delicious golden apple, yellow plum, and floral notes perfume this bottle.The portfolio is comprised of a handful of single-vineyard wines, blends, and varietal-specific wines under four proprietary names:.

, produced from Sonoma Valley grapes;., which is sourced from sites around the world; and.

(named after their children Chloe and Jeremy), Napa Valley blends they've been making consistently since 1996.. During my visit, we tasted the.2016 Mekerra La Mekerra Vineyard Proprietary White ($145),.