The 'Napa Valley' of the Midwest

Yeah, you've read it right and its AMAZING!

The southwest corner of Michigan, an area called Harbor Country, is home to about 12 wineries. Its roughly a two hour drive from Chicago, so there's really no excuse to not get up there at least once a year! I first visited the area three years ago and it was love at first taste.

I have a few favorites to pass along for your next (or first :)) visit!

1) Round Barn Winery. This place is a MUST visit! The best part...its a winery, brewery, and distillery! You can't go wrong. Something for everyone. $8 for 5 tastings plus souvenir wine glass. The wine and spirit tasting is done in the well, round barn and beer tasting in the Brew barn. Favs: Pinot Noir and Imperial IPA.
http://www.roundbarnwinery.com/

2) Free Run Winery. The sister winery to Round Barn. Take your souvenir wine glass from Round Barn for discounted tastings here. Also, serves spirits. Apple Brandy was actually quite tasty! And, I thought I only liked brandy if it was served in eggnog :) Fav Wine: Union.
http://www.freeruncellars.com/

3) Chocolate Garden. No wine here, but after all that wine you need a little chocolate. Its necessary. Really. Amazing truffles at this stop, love the traditional white and milk chocolate. Deeeelish!
http://www.chocolategarden.com/

4) Karma Vista Winery. I'm a sucker for cool wine names and labels. This place gets me hook, line, and drinker! Wine names like Cha Cha Chardonnay, Moondance Merlot, and Stone Temple Pinot. Sold.
http://www.karmavista.com/

5) Last reco and its not wine. Sorry, but you also can't go to Michigan and not go to a brewery! New Holland Brewery is in Holland, Founders in Grand Rapids, and Bells in Kalamazoo. This trip we hit up Bells. Taaasty! For $12 you can try 6 of the beers...generous samples I might add. Fav brew: Two Hearted IPA.
http://bellsbeer.com/

So find your DD, drink up, and enjoy!

Shame on me.

Sorry friends, guess the blog has gotten away from me and I've neglected to write! Summer is almost here and life is busy, busy!! I've been checked out for the past three days enjoying the nice, long Memorial Day weekend. And, what a great weekend it was! Here's a quick recap: Hangover 2, wine, more wine, ok alot of wine (read next post for all details wine), wedding (cheers to the happy couple!), BBQ and beers, friends, and finally couch, ice cream, and the Bachelorette! Hmm, I see a trend. Seems as if my weekend should have ended with the Hangover :)