Harvest this year was a real learning experience. Between picking our own estate grapes and sourcing additional fruit for our unique blends from the west and north coasts of our beautiful state, it was a season full of adventures. I spent quite a bit of time on the road, making several trips in various-sized U-Hauls to pick up grapes. It was quite the experience—driving a 28-foot truck at a slower pace over rolling hills up north, navigating tight turns, and even pulling into a Starbucks only to realize we couldn’t fit under the drive-thru pole! (It’s the little things, right?)

One of the highlights was finally meeting in person the talented growers I had only spoken to over the phone. They graciously gave me tours of their vineyards, and it was wonderful to see the care they put into their vines and the beautiful fruit they produce to complement my own vintage. A huge thank you to Joe Herman, Legacy Vineyards, and Mackinaw Trail Vineyard and Winery for their support this year.

We’re making steady progress on the permitting front, and while I’m eager to start selling my wines, there’s still a bit more work to do. The transition from our old red barn to what we’re now calling the “repurposed tasting room barn” has had its fair share of bumps along the way. I’ve learned that navigating the building permit process with the township is a lengthy journey, involving planning commission meetings and eventually securing an agritourism permit. My husband is far more versed in these processes than I am, and we’re now five years into the project, just to give you some perspective. The old barn is still standing in its original spot… but barely!

Our goal is to begin selling wine in 2025, and we’re excited for that day to arrive. Patrons will be able to purchase our wine—crafted with love and a lot of hard work—at our pavilion farm stand, which we built this past summer. We can’t wait for you to enjoy our beautiful outdoor space and stick around to watch the sunsets.