Located between the 30^th and 50^th parallels, Michigan is one of the world’s best wine regions. St. Julian primarily gets its fruit from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA located along the 42^nd parallel north latitude. The “lake effect” from Lake Michigan provides an excellent growing season, while the regions well-drained, glacial soils make this location prime for viticulture. However, when Mother Nature is your partner, nothing is guaranteed. Such was the case in 2024, when a severe January freeze impacted many of the European grape varieties in the Lake Michigan Shore (LMS). Thankfully, St. Julian has excellent grower partners in the Old Mission Peninsula (OMP) located along the 45^th parallel, where the weather was not as severe. We are pleased to offer members a new wine from across the parallels!

Staying true to our commitment to Michigan fruit, our winemakers sourced Pinot Gris grapes from the OMP and blended them with Grüner Veltliner from the LMS, creating a dry white of unparalleled quality! Light in style, Unparalleled 2024 is a blend of 74% Pinot Gris and 26% Grüner. Interestingly, Pinot Gris has skins that are slightly pink in color. As the grapes traveled the 3 hours south to the winery in Paw Paw, the juice was exposed to extended contact with the skins, giving a gorgeous hue to the wine. Flavors of peach, apricot, apple, and cantaloupe are balanced with great acidity. Zippy, bright, and refreshing, this wine is incredibly easy to drink. A crowd-pleasing option, you will want to grab a bottle or two for all your upcoming gatherings!

The world needs more “zən,” – that sweet spot where life feels calm, simple, and connected. And what captures those qualities better than a glass of wine! Every sip holds the story of the earth, the weather, and the journey from grape to glass connected by the skill of the winemakers. Introducing the new exclusive sweet red, Fro-Zen (7.5% RS)!

Made from cryogenically frozen grapes, this sweet red combines the beauty of nature with the brilliance of science. Winemakers use this cryogenic technique to concentrate sugar and flavor. Water in grapes freezes at a higher temperature than the natural sugars and acids. By pressing the grapes while still frozen, the water ice crystals are left behind and only the highly concentrated juice is extracted. Concentrating the flavors and sugars, while maintaining the acidity gives you a sweet wine that is fresh, rather than syrupy. This wine just hits differently. It’s a full-on flavor experience of boysenberry, blackberry, plum, and blueberry. Members who were at the VIP Festival Kick Off event in September were able to get a sneak peek and the feedback was “YUMMM! This is delicious!” Level up your spicy food by contrasting the sweetness of the wine with the savory or spicy notes of curries, Asian foods, and BBQ. Pairing with cheesecake, berry tarts, and especially dark chocolate is an easy way to elevate your dessert experience. It’s delicious mixed with bubbles for a spritzer or paired with salty hard cheeses like aged Gouda or Parmesan. So many options!

Exclusive for members this quarter is the new dry bubbly rosé made for encouraging good cheer! Harmonie, a dry rosé made from Foch and LaCrescent has beautiful acidity and effervescence to complement salty, savory, and sweet flavors alike. It’s the ideal bottle for creating a harmonious and joyful vibe all season long!

One of the most popular club wines got a new flavor! Introducing Sparkling Sweet Nancie Cran-Orange. The combination of tart cranberry and bright orange is a hallmark of the season and evokes a celebratory vibe along with a feeling of warmth and nostalgia. It’s the sweetness of the season!