The vast majority of grapes used for our products are grown within a 40-mile radius of our Paw Paw location—from our estate vineyard, in Coloma, and 19+ local growers.
A few factors make Michigan an amazing grape-growing state:
- A 30-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline that offers a consistent climate combined with Lake Effect, which moderates temps and extends our growing season
- Large clay content, which retains moisture
- Sandy soil, which runs off excess water
- Rolling hills, offering good drainage and fewer frost issues
And while grapes shaped our heritage, we also harvest other produce, like cherries and apples.
Michigan Fruit for Michigan Wine
Steve and Lauryn Holden
Lawton, MI
Cronenwett Family Farms
Lawton, MI
Matt and Emily Dietrich
Baroda, MI
Ed and Phyllis Oxley
Lawton, MI
St. Julian’s Mountain Road Estate Vineyard
Located in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, our Mountain Road Estate Vineyard boasts riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and sangiovese across 40 acres—yielding some of the most awarded and loved wines year after year.
Today, wines produced from this estate vineyard are featured in our Founder’s Series, a collection that highlights estate-grown fruit and honors the four generations of family leadership that have shaped St. Julian.
The “Estate” Difference
In the U.S., estate-bottled wines are defined by law as wines made exclusively from grapes grown on vineyards owned or controlled by the producer and produced within the same AVA as the vineyard. This designation also requires the wine to remain on premises during the entire production process, including fermentation, bottling, and aging. Why does all this matter? Estate wines experience the highest level of control possible and deliver consistent quality and style.
The Founder's Series
100% of St. Julian’s estate-wine grapes come from Mountain Road Estate Vineyard. Sarah and John Braganini, owners of Mountain Road, have the highest standards for the grapes grown in their vineyard and for the wines that bear their name. Wines from this vineyard are featured in our Founder’s Series. When you recognize the words “estate bottled” on a Braganini Reserve wine, you can be sure that the grapes were sourced from Mountain Road.
Rooted in Yesterday. Committed to Tomorrow.
At St. Julian, sustainability isn’t just a practice—it’s a promise. From our vineyards to your glass, we’re committed to responsible farming, ecofriendly winemaking, and reducing our footprint for future generations.
