Cheers

Unique Wineries and Outdoor Tasting Spots

By Nick Lico and Alexis Bohlinger

Since the weather is finally perfect for craft connoisseurs to enjoy the outdoors, we compiled a list of unique wineries and festive outdoor sipping places.

Located in Utica and started by two couples, friends for 20 years, Unwined Winery offers a warm industrial setting – a place to unwind. Over 30 low-sulfite wine varieties are available, all made on site. Popular offerings include Sensation, a strawberry Riesling, and two bourbon barrel reds: Resolute, a rosso grande from Italy and Black Pearl, a cabernet sauvignon from Australia. Snacks, salads and charcuterie boards are available, as is a small patio area for limited outdoor seating.

Situated at the northern end of Macomb County are a few more wineries you won’t want to miss. The rustic Sage Creek Winery features two fireplaces – one inside and a larger one on the outdoor patio. The bar top and nearly all of the tables are handmade by the owners. Sage Creek offers two wine tasting options: four one-ounce pours for $6 or double the pour for double the price. Go beyond the tasting and try a glass of the Bourbon Barrel Blend and Somewhere on the Beach, which tastes a lot like a piña colada. Food is available from the Dog House, a tavern across the patio from Sage Creek and on the weekends from food trucks. Customers are also welcome to bring their own food.

If you prefer a nautical, Up North feel without the drive, check TwoRivers Winery. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and TwoRivers offers an unobstructed view of St. Clair River. Homage to Marine City’s history is evident in the photos from local photographers that adorn the walls. Be sure to sample 3 Daughters, a dry red with notes of black cherry, coffee and vanilla. A small, prepackaged charcuterie board is available and customers are welcome to bring their own food, especially from local restaurants.

Also situated at the northern end of our county is Youngblood Vineyard, whose wine is 100-percent estate grown. This winery has grown quickly in the few years it has been in operation, a testament to the hard work and dedication of Jess and Dave Youngblood. They turned his family’s farm into one of our area’s most popular destinations. There are plenty of places outdoors to enjoy their wine tasting, which is available weekends only, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Food includes wood-fired pizza made with homemade dough and sauce.

Staying north Green Barn Winery lives up to its name with a rustic atmosphere. You can literally saddle up to the bar – saddles have been turned into bar stools! All their wines are made in house, using as much fruit as possible from local farmers. Grapes for the sweet wines are grown on the 25-acre farm down the road, while those for the dryer wines are bought from the Dundee and Lansing areas. For those who prefer to take their wine alfresco, seating is offered inside a silo featuring a fireplace.

Moving on from wineries to do some tasting alfresco, the Ferndale Project has a spacious patio with shady trees and umbrellas to make patrons feel comfortable while they eat and drink. They carry a full menu of stouts, sours, IPA’s and easy drinkers as well as wine and cider. Their food menu boasts healthy options like Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup and a Vegetable Quinoa Bowl as well as burgers, sandwiches, wings and something for the kids. And, once you’re in Ferndale, check out another eclectic and unique patio. B. Nektar takes a theatrical approach to their mead, cider and beer, and their large outdoor patio is buzzing with fun.

Up the road in Birmingham, there is a newly renovated patio at Griffin Claw Brewery. Craft connoisseur Brad Jerris commented that he loves the beer, food and atmosphere. “The patio is very professionally done with picnic bench style tables, heaters and a little fire pit for chilly days.” Griffin Claw offers a variety of beer, cider and spirits including Claw Vodka, Potato Vodka, Flying Buffalo Bourbon, Rail District Rye Whiskey, Crooks Gin, Doc Rogers Rum, Krupnik, and many more.

Finally, heading east, St. Clair Shores has a number of delicious craft beer options — all within a two-mile radius with great outdoor options. Jamex Brewing Co. is on the south end of town. Their patio is small, yet comfortable. Patrons refer to Jamex as a “gem in the neighborhood” as it stands apart from downtown St. Clair Shores, which is where you’ll find a spacious outdoor sipping area at Copper Hop Brewing Co. This brewery has quickly become a hot spot for east siders with its fun atmosphere, live music, rotation of food trucks and tasty brews. Plus the Shores’ social districts take place right in front every second and fourth Saturday May through the end of September. Moving to the Nautical Mile, you can sit on a large patio at Dragon’s Landing for the famous Dragonmead brews and then up the road to Baffi n Brewery they have covered and outdoor sitting areas. All of these patios are dog friendly and attract lively, fun crowds on warm days.

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