Michigan Grapes

Michigan has over 12,000 acres of grapes most of which are located in Berrien and Van Buren counties in Southwest Michigan.  Most of this acreage is Concord and Niagara that is used for grape juice. Concord grape production has declined by almost a thousand acres due to sluggish demand. Niagara acreage is increasing rapidly. Several wineries also make nonalcoholic grape juices.

Most of the remaining grape acreage is used for wine grape production.  Michigan wineries produce a wide variety of wines, which have won many awards. This sector of the Michigan grape industry is expanding rapidly.  The major centers of wine grape production are in the Michigan's southwest corner and in the Traverse Bay region. 

The Lake Michigan Shore appellation denotes grapes grown in the southwest region. French Hybrid varieties dominant in the southwest. French Hybrid and native labrusca grapes are better able to handle the changeable southern Michigan winters.  The Fenn Valley appellation is located in Allegan County.

Vinerfera grapes are grown in both regions, but dominant the northwest region near Grand Traverse Bay. The Traverse Bay region (over 450 acres) has two wine appellations, Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula.   The Parallel 45 Wine Growers is a grower and winery organization in the Northwest.

The Michigan Grape Society is a grower organization representing grape growers in Southwest Michigan.  This organization sponsors several education programs during the year, including Southwest Michigan Horticulture Days in February and the annual Viticulture Day at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. 

1997 Michigan Grape Acreage by Variety and District

Variety	District
	Southwest	Northwest	Other	Total
Total	11,400	440	160	12,000
Concord	8,680	9	11	8,700
Chardonnay	45	114	1	160
Foch	40	7	3	50
Niagara	2,140	3	107	2,250
Seyval	75	10	5	90
Vidal Blanc	110	1	4	115
Vignoles	60	33	2	95
White Riesling	35	114	1	150
Other Varieties	215	149	26	390
Data From the Michigan Rotational Survey - Fruit 1998.   Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Agricultural Satistics Service (MASS)