St. Julian Winery & Distillery, Michigan’s oldest craft distillery and the state’s largest and longest-operating winery, proudly announces the acquisition of MichiGrain. With this move, St. Julian expands its spirits portfolio and production capabilities. MichiGrain is a leading innovator in craft neutral grain spirits.
Following the acquisition, St. Julian fully integrated MichiGrain operations into its Paw Paw, Michigan campus. The winery created a new, dedicated space for premium spirit production. This facility features advanced equipment designed to improve quality, efficiency, and flexibility.
Within this expanded distillery, St. Julian installed a modern continuous column still alongside a traditional pot still. To support craft distillation at scale, the team selected both systems carefully. Together, they allow the combined distilling team to increase overall production capacity. Now, experts from St. Julian and MichiGrain collaborate in a custom-built environment.
Specifically, the continuous column still produces high-purity neutral spirits with speed and consistency. Meanwhile, the pot still supports expressive, small-batch spirit production. As a result, these systems create new opportunities for experimentation and innovation. In turn, St. Julian can enhance existing products and develop limited-edition releases. Notably, Spirits Club members will receive early access to select small-batch spirits before public release.
Beyond innovation, this expansion supports rising demand for handcrafted spirits. Additionally, it positions St. Julian to pursue new retail and wholesale opportunities. With increased capacity, the distillery can collaborate with local bars, restaurants, and retailers. Furthermore, the operation supports boutique distilleries and emerging brands seeking premium bulk spirits.
“Our investment reflects our commitment to excellence, innovation, and community,” says Apollo Braganini II, President of St. Julian Winery & Distillery. Accordingly, “our partnership with MichiGrain helps shape the future of Michigan craft spirits.”
Equally important, supporting Michigan agriculture remains a core focus of this partnership. MichiGrain sources grains from local farms within a sixty-mile radius. Through this approach, the partnership ensures high-quality ingredients and strengthens regional agriculture. Going forward, St. Julian plans to expand this sourcing model.
“This partnership strengthens our support for local farmers and elevates our spirits program,” adds Braganini. For over a century, local agriculture has fueled our success. Now, St. Julian carries that same commitment into its distillery operations.
Learn more about St. Julian’s dedication to exceptional craft spirits and the Spirits Club.
