This was the year that Mariano Meconi, grandfather of current St. Julian President John Braganini, founded his winery that would become St. Julian. Over the course of 100 years, St. Julian has survived Prohibition, World Wars, depressions, family tragedies, and weather disasters to become one of the most beloved wineries in the state of Michigan. As Wine Club Members, you have been a part of this journey and for that we thank you!
We are so grateful to our loyal Wine Club Members who have supported, encouraged, and inspired us that we wanted to do something special. For this momentous milestone, we present to you 1921 Dry Red Blend and 1921 Sweet White Blend. Each of these wines honors the year of St. Julian’s “birth,” but there is an even deeper meaning to the 1921 name: 1 winery, 9 grape varieties, 2 winemakers, 1 family.
1921 Dry Red Blend is bursting with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, and plum. Oak aging adds silky tannins with notes of cocoa and vanilla. This wine is a beautiful expression of finesse and freshness found from fruit grown in the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation.
1921 Sweet White Blend has luscious flavors of peach, melon, lime, and pineapple upside down cake. At 4% Residual Sugar, this wine has notes of honey that is balanced with a touch of acidity for an elegant finish.
Each celebratory wine will be available for $19.21.* However, as Wine Club members you get TWO for the price of one, simply because we value and appreciate you. *Additional club discounts are not valid, available while supplies last. These wines will only be available to Wine Club members for the months of July and August for this special pricing. To reserve your celebratory bottles, please contact wineclub@stjulian.com or visit the tasting room nearest you. Starting in September, if any bottles are left, they will be released to the general public for $19.21 per bottle. We can’t thank you enough for your valued support as we continue to grow and create exciting new wines, spirits, and experiences. We look forward to sharing even more with you in the next century!
Unparalleled
Located between the 30th and 50th parallels, Michigan is one of the world’s best wine regions. Exclusive for Wine Club, we have created 2 new wines: Unparalleled Dry White Blend and Unparalleled Sweet White Blend. The grapes were sourced from our vineyard partners in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA (42nd Parallel) and the Leelanau Peninsula AVA (45th Parallel) making these wines exceptionally “unparalleled.”
Located 200 miles apart, each region is influenced by the longest freshwater coastline in the United States. Lake Michigan’s influence stabilizes the region’s climate, allowing for over 100 cool-climate European Vitus vinifera, American Vitus labrusca, and hybrid grape varieties to be grown. Winemaker Nancie Oxley attributes the state’s unique maritime climate to the versatility and quality of grapes grown. “We are so blessed to have such amazing growing conditions in Michigan. The lake effect produces warm days and cool evenings which allows excellent acidity and sugars to develop in the grapes.”
To celebrate St. Julian’s commitment to Michigan fruit, each of these wines takes the best of the northern and southern wine regions and blends them together to create new and dynamic wines. Unparalleled Dry is medium-bodied with flavors of peach, pear, lemon, and white pepper and its varieties are: Chardonnay & Pinot Gris from the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, Gewürztraminer & Sauvignon Blanc from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA. Its sweeter sister at 4% RS is luscious with flavors of honey crisp apple, white peach, and apricot, and its varieties are: Riesling from the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, Vignoles & Traminette from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA. Both of these wines have great acidity, making them food friendly and expressive.
2020 Winemaker's Series White Cabernet Franc
White Cabernet Franc? Isn’t Cabernet Franc a red grape? YES, it is! In our commitment to offering our Wine Club members new and interesting wines, we are excited to share the 2020 Winemaker’s Series White Cabernet Franc, which is something quite rare! Cabernet Franc is a red grape variety that creates herbaceous, savory reds and bright rosé wines. What’s interesting about grape physiology is that when pressed, the juice in the berry is actually white. This allows us to embrace the variety in a new light.
To create this wine, Cabernet Franc was hand-picked from 4 of our grower partners in the Baroda area of the Lake Michigan Shore AVA. The fruit was gently pressed and immediately removed from the skins to avoid the influence of pigment, tannin, and some flavor compounds found in the skins. Fermented in stainless steel, the variety’s telltale lively acidity and pepperiness carry through, making for a refreshingly layered wine. The lack of oak and malolactic conversion allows pure fresh flavors that you might not expect from this grape to shine through.
On the nose, you may find aromas of melon, pineapple, pear, and blood orange. This bone-dry wine has an ultra-smooth texture and medium body with flavors of pear, lychee, apricot, melon, and a touch of honeycomb on the finish. Pair this wine with foods with some richness, like roasted chicken, cedar planked salmon, quiche, light Asian food, shrimp ceviche and an array of creamy cheeses. This is the perfect wine to share with friends wanting to try a new spin on a favorite variety!
The Artistry of Winemaking at the Highest Level
PRICE: $100 per bottle or $450 for the set of 6
The celebration continues! In honor of St. Julian’s 100th anniversary, we proudly present the Centennial Series of wines. Each of the 6 bottles in this series celebrates the artistry of winemaking at the highest level. Crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon grown at the Mountain Road Estate Vineyard, these wines were individually aged in different styles of French oak barrels, distinctly influencing the flavor, texture, and tannin profile of the finished wines. Like an artisan’s tools, every barrel has a unique purpose, revealing something special without overshadowing the natural beauty and nuances of the wine. 5 of the barrels were individually bottled, creating the first 5 wines in the series. The 6th wine, Finale, is a harmonious blend of the first 5 barrels.
These wines will be released initially only to Wine Club members. 100 boxed sets of all 6 wines will be available for purchase during a special release event in October. Individual bottles will be available at all tasting room locations, as well as for shipping starting in October. More details will be coming to you by email regarding how you can purchase these truly remarkable wines worthy of this milestone.
"Is a sparkling wine the same as a frizzante wine?" – Jess Waren, Chicago, IL
You know we love bubbles! They make every day a celebration and just more fun! Have you ever noticed that there are different ways of saying a wine is “bubbly?” This is because there are several ways to create the bubbles and these different methods change what you experience in your glass.
Bubbles are a by-product of fermentation. When wine goes through fermentation, alcohol and CO2 ( ie. bubbles) are created. Bubbles created during the second fermentation in individual bottles make extremely fine and elegant sparkling wines with complex, toasty, rich flavors. This bottle fermentation is how Champagne from France and St. Julian’s Braganini Reserve Blanc de Blanc is made.
Bubbles can also be created in a large pressurized tank, called a Charmat tank. The bubbles created during fermentation are trapped and then bottled directly. This type of carbonation results in bubbles that are larger with a fresher style of wine that has more fruit aromas and flavors. St. Julian’s Sweet Nancie wines, Ciao Bolle, and Michigan Brut Champagne are all made in this manner. These fully sparkling wines contain five to six atmospheres of pressure in the bottle. For reference, this is twice as much as that found in a car tire.
For August, we created a new bubbly wine that is called Refresh - Frizzante. So what is frizzante? Wines labeled “frizzante” are considered gently sparkling. They have between 2 and 3 atmospheres of pressure, which is considerably less bubbly. Frizzante wines, like Refresh, have just a touch of bubbles that is not as mouth-filling. The effervescence lifts and elevates the fresh fruit flavors of the wine. Refresh is just kissed with spritz and has bright flavors of pear, peach, and honey crisp apple. This new Wine Club exclusive wine is amazing with food due to its refreshing acidity. Try it with salty food. Salt and bubbles go wonderfully together!
August 2021:
Pick-Up Orders Shipping Orders
November 2021*:
- Oct 18th – 29th: Special request orders and additional wines will be added to your order and processed. Wines will ship as they are processed, unless you make other arrangements. You can change your shipping address, billing information, or add wines to your order anytime before your order processes. Please keep in mind, once your order processes, we cannot guarantee your requests. You MUST CONTACT WINE CLUB to make any changes or additions to your order information.
- Nov. 1st – 2nd: All Will Call orders charged
- Nov. 1st: Wine Club Newsletter emailed to you
- Nov. 2nd: Starting now, all Will Call orders available for pick up
- Nov. 7th - 9th: All regular shipping orders charged
- Nov. 8th- 11th: All regular shipping orders packed and shipped
*Dates subject to change. Cancellations must be done in writing to wineclub@stjulian.com 30 days prior to the next shipment.
MI Summer Berry Spritzer
A favorite on warm summer days filled with Michigan summer goodness.
For 2 glasses: Fill each glass with ice.
- ½ cup fresh Michigan blueberries, raspberries or blackberries, divided and muddled
- Juice from one lime or lemon
- 8 oz of your favorite St. Julian rosé wine
- 8 oz. of either St. Julian Brut Champagne, Sweet Nancie OR club soda if you would like to make it lighter and lower in alcohol
Mix all together and garnish with fresh thyme.
Looking for the full wine experience? Join us in the Paw Paw tasting room for a Vine To Bottle Tour! Shuttle to our Mountain Road Estate Vineyard to walk among the vines with a winemaking team member as they explain the “magic” that happens to the grapes. Enjoy a glass of wine and boxed lunch while enjoying the view before heading back to the winery. Enjoy more wine as you take a tour of the production facility to learn how the grapes become wine in the bottle. RSVP required. $100 per person, $90 for Wine Club members. Learn more and RSVP by calling the tasting room at 800-732-6002 or by clicking the button below.
Wine Club members are invited to join us for free Exclusive Guided Tastings held in each tasting room. Taste and learn about the wines you love in a fun and relaxed setting. Each month will focus on a different topic. 2 people per membership. RSVPs required by calling the tasting room you wish to attend. *All dates subject to change.
Five Basic Tastes
How do different taste sensations of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami effect the taste of wine? Why does one flavor component pair better with certain wines? Join us in this really cool discovery of the five basic tastes and how they change and enhance the wine in your glass.
September 22nd at 6 PM - Frankenmuth
September 22nd at 6 PM - Rockford
September 22nd at 7 PM - Dundee
September 22nd at 7 PM - Troy
September 23rd at 6 PM - Union Pier
September 23rd at 6 PM - Paw Paw
Aromas of Wine
The tasting notes of this wine say it has aromas of pineapple, peach and cream. Does that mean you put all of those things into the wine? NOPE! It’s fascinating that grapes can have such different aromas depending on the variety of grapes, how the wine is made, and how it’s aged. Come discover how these aromas come to be!
October 20th at 6:00 PM - Frankenmuth
October 20th at 7:00 PM - Troy
October 20th at 7:00 PM - Rockford
October 21st at 6:00 PM - Paw Paw
October 21st at 6:00 PM - Union Pier
October 27th at 7:00 PM - Dundee
Mark Your Calendar!
Our Next Case Sale is September 10th - 12th!
Wine Club members get 25% OFF mix and match cases! Shop online and receive PENNY SHIPPING or visit any of our tasting rooms!
Events are constantly being added to our website. Check back frequently for updates and more details on the following events!
Dude, Where's My Wine? Trivia Night
September 7th in Dundee
Join us for a movie and comedy inspired trivia night with flights, cocktails, and snacks! RSVP to the Dundee tasting room. $30 per person / $25 for Wine Club members.
Centennial series release
October 9th in Paw Paw
Join us in the cellar for an exclusive opportunity to experience these wines. Taste how the barrels used in these special wines influence each unique bottling of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Those in attendance will be the first to taste and purchase these rare wines. Space is limited. More details coming soon!
Centennial Celebration
October 23rd in Dundee
Come celebrate St. Julian’s 100th with members of the Braganini family and other special guests. Try the limited Centennial Series wines and take home some bottles! RSVP required. Space is limited. $60 per person / $55 for Wine Club members. More details coming soon!
Winemaker's Dinner
November 6th in Paw Paw
We are excited to welcome you back to the annual Winemaker’s Dinner. Enjoy wines expertly paired with seasonal courses for a spectacular dinner. RSVP is required. More details coming soon!
Speakeasy Dinner
November 20th in Frankenmuth
Come join us for a champagne reception and Italian inspired dinner in the St. Julian “Speakeasy.” RSVP required and space is limited. More details coming soon!
Street Corn Dip
Pair With Unparalleled - Dry White Blend
This easy dip is a perfect way to enjoy fresh sweet corn and it’s perfect with the medium body of the wine. Thanks to the Rockford tasting room manager, Shaylan, for the recipe!
- 4 ears fresh sweet corn or 4 cups frozen corn
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp EACH of ground coriander, cumin, chipotle powder & chili powder
- ¼ cup stock or water
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup softened cream cheese
- 1 ½ cups cotija cheese, extra for garnish if desired
- ½ cup jalapeno pepper, minced
- Juice of 2 limes
- ¾ cup cilantro, extra for garnish if desired
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste. Lightly grill the sweet corn, cool and cut kernels from the cob. Set aside. Sauté the onions and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add spices and stock or water. Sauté until no liquid remains. Set aside to cool. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, mustard and lime juice. Fold in cotija, jalapeno, onions, cilantro and corn. Salt & pepper to taste.
Grilled Peaches
Pair With Unparalleled - Sweet White Blend
The sweet and tart flesh of the peach will pair wonderfully with the sweetness of the wine. Add some creamy cheese to mirror the weight of the wine, and a touch of nuts and salt to make the wine’s fruitiness really shine.
- 6 peaches, halved and pit removed
- Canola oil
- Roasted slivered almonds or chopped pistachios.
- 8 oz Mascarpone cheese
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Sea salt (optional)
In a small bowl, mix together mascarpone, maple syrup, honey, and vanilla extract to combine. Set aside. Heat grill to medium-high. Brush peaches with canola oil. Place flesh side of peaches on grill. Grill for 2-3 minutes on flesh side and remove from grill. Serve peaches with a tablespoon of mascarpone and top with salt and nuts of your choice! (This can also be made as a bruschetta. Toast bread and then top with cheese mixture. Chop grilled peaches and top over cheese on toast. Sprinkle with nuts and enjoy!)