St. Julian Winery & Distillery, Michigan’s oldest craft distillery, as well as the state’s largest and longest-operating winery, is proud to announce the strategic acquisition of MichiGrain, a leading innovator in craft neutral grain spirits. This move marks a significant step forward in expanding St. Julian’s craft spirits portfolio and manufacturing capabilities.
All MichiGrain operations have been moved and integrated into St. Julian’s state-of-the-art campus in Paw Paw, Michigan. A new, dedicated space for premium spirit production houses cutting-edge equipment designed to elevate quality, efficiency, and versatility in distillation.
This advanced facility is equipped with a modern continuous column still and a traditional pot still which were carefully selected to meet the demands of craft distillation at scale. Strategically housed within a custom-designed, high-end production environment, these tools will enable the combined distillery team, comprising experts from both St. Julian and MichiGrain, to significantly increase overall spirit production capacity.
The continuous column still enables high-efficiency distillation, making it perfect for producing large quantities of neutral spirits with exceptional purity and consistency. In contrast, the traditional pot still provides the flexibility and craftsmanship necessary to create complex, small-batch spirits. Combined, these capabilities create new opportunities for experimentation, product development, and innovation. This includes improvements to existing lines and limited-edition releases, providing St. Julian Spirits Club members with exclusive access to new small-batch spirits. These spirits may showcase unique blends, experimental batches, or special aging techniques, all available to club members before they are released to the broader public.
This expansion not only addresses the rising demand for handcrafted spirits but also positions St. Julian to explore new retail and wholesale opportunities. The increased capacity and technological advancements will facilitate collaborations with local bars, restaurants, and retailers eager to serve Michigan-made, premium spirits. Furthermore, this growth supports boutique distilleries and emerging brands seeking high-quality bulk spirits tailored to their needs.
“Our investment in advanced distillation technology and a dedicated production environment reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and community,” said Apollo Braganini II, President of St. Julian Winery & Distillery. “By joining forces with MichiGrain, we are positioning ourselves to lead Michigan’s craft spirits industry into a new era of growth, creativity, and quality.”
A cornerstone of this partnership is St. Julian’s ongoing dedication to supporting Michigan’s agricultural community. MichiGrain has sourced premium grains from local farmers within a sixty-mile radius, ensuring the highest quality ingredients while fostering sustainable, community-driven growth. This collaborative approach aligns with St. Julian’s mission to produce authentic, handcrafted spirits that reflect Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage. It is an initiative they plan to continue and expand upon.
“This partnership not only strengthens our dedication to supporting local farmers but also enables us to craft world-class spirits that genuinely reflect the spirit of Michigan,” added Braganini. “For over a century, our commitment to working with local farms and producing high-quality wine and juice has been central to our success, making us the most-awarded winery in Michigan. We aim to carry that same legacy into the distillery side of our business, aspiring to become the most-awarded distillery in Michigan as we continue to support local agriculture and expand our successful spirit operations through this exciting acquisition.”
Learn more about St. Julian’s dedication to exceptional craft spirits and the Spirits Club.
