Michigan’s longest-operating and most award-winning winery recently celebrated its Centennial with a historic gathering in Paw Paw. The winery has produced wines there since 1936. Italian-born Mariano Meconi founded the company in Canada in 1921 as Border City Wine Cellars, later known as Meconi Wine Company. He later moved operations to Detroit and eventually to West Michigan’s Lake Michigan Shore AVA. The business first operated as The Italian Wine Company and adopted the name St. Julian Winery in 1941.
“We have survived Prohibition, wars, the Great Depression, the Great Recession, fires, family tragedies, a pandemic, and countless other challenges across our 100-year history,” says Dario Braganini, Outstate Sales Director. “We have not only endured but grown stronger. Over the years, we expanded our portfolio to include wine, cider, and spirits. We also grew our agricultural footprint in Michigan’s fruit belt region. This year celebrates St. Julian as a family company focused on both today and the future as an industry leader.”
To mark the milestone anniversary, St. Julian’s winemakers crafted a Centennial Series. The collection includes six 2019 Cabernet Sauvignons sourced entirely from Mountain Road Estate Vineyard. The first five wines aged for 14 months in French oak barrels from different cooperages, creating distinct expressions. The sixth wine brings those five together in a balanced and harmonious blend.
St. Julian released these limited-edition wines exclusively at the Centennial Series Release Party held this fall. The event took place in the winery’s newly opened barrel room. Guests tasted each wine with a thoughtfully paired appetizer. They also enjoyed rare and limited wines while mingling with the Braganini family, winemakers, Wine Club members, and local legislators.
U.S. Congressman Fred Upton, Michigan Senator Aric Nesbitt, and Michigan Representative Beth Griffin attended the celebration. They presented President John Braganini with a special Centennial award honoring the achievement. “It’s an honor to be here,” said Nesbitt. “Few businesses reach five years, let alone ten or one hundred. The state of Michigan is proud to recognize St. Julian for the last 100 years.”
Before the event, winemakers Nancie Oxley and Kyle Totzke hosted a special educational seminar. They explained how barrels act as a winemaker’s spice rack. They also guided attendees through tasting the differences between barrel styles. As St. Julian celebrates its past, the winery continues to look ahead to the next 100 years of wine, cider, and spirits in Michigan.
