Shady Creek Winery

Custom-crafted wines, delicious food, friendly tastings, and a casual, welcoming atmosphere distinguish this destination winery near Lake Michigan’s southern shore.

The gleaming, modern facility with soaring ceilings is situated on 20 expansive acres and invites tasting and lingering on patios, covered porches and around cozy fireplaces. In the winery’s tasting rooms, visitors enjoy trying different varieties and learning the background and composition of the vintages. Shady Creek features a wide variety of dry white, red and semi-sweet wines. Many are award-winners and carry names as intriguing as the wines themselves, taking on images of the lake: Beach Glass White, Rip Tide Red, Sandy Feet, White Caps, and Sweet Sunrise. The labels feature photos of the area. Another specialty is Rescued Dog Red, a Merlot named because the winery donates to the local animal shelter.

There are always plenty of experts on the premises to answer questions about wine production, from fermenting to aging to bottling, and give advice on food and wine pairings. Food is an important and very popular aspect of Shady Creek, which offers Perfect Pairing Plates that feature such delicacies as baked brie with ice wine sauce, fruit and international cheeses, or an array of Mediterranean specialties. A lunch menu includes salads, grilled flatbreads, pizza, paninis and other entrees. The winery occasionally features Friday night dinners.

On Sunday afternoons, visitors enjoy performances by local musicians as they shop and sip. Local artwork graces the space, where paintings can be purchased, along with jewelry fashioned from the beach glass that washes up on Lake Michigan’s shore. The winery is available for group tastings and special events.

For more information on the winery, hours, or to make reservations for larger groups, call or visit the website.