Sleeping Bear Winery

Sleeping Bear Winery is located where the old St. Julian’s Winery used to be located just off of I-​94 in Concord. It’s a beautiful plot with wine-​grapes all over the place (albeit it’s next to the highway and an Adult Video Store [which I will not be reviewing]). I went to Sleeping Bear a while ago with my best friend and our girlfriends.
The atmosphere is unmistakably that of a winery, which was cool because, we went for the micro-​brews so it was a new drinking experience. Both me and my friend ordered a flight of beer (6 – 7 small beers each) the girls ordered sweet-​wine. The beer was a blast. Quality wise the beer was all over the place (like is always the case at a place like Sleeping bear which could be more accurately described as a nano-​brew). We drank the beers from light to dark (mostly because we prefer darker beers) and it revealed one of the most interesting beer tasting experiences of my life, as one of my beers was a «jalapeño porter» which was surprisingly, disturbingly, good. I feel like I need another just to wrap my head around it.
Sleeping Bears food is okay — stone oven pizza. Which is for some reason the go to food of choice for micro-​brews these days. I honestly feel that it is a trend that will ultimately fade and date some brewpubs/​wineries and in the case of sleeping bear the pizza was unexceptional compared to others.
The drinking experience though was original. And I highly suggest anyone going on a brewery tour of southern Michigan stop in for a flight on their way down I-​94 (for the standard Detroit to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids [or vice-​versa] trip) Sleeping Bear will not disappoint in this.

First time going here last Saturday with a large group. Tasted about 7 of their popular wines. The hostess was very nice especially for being the only one working with the wines. The sweet red, My Father’s Red and fruit wine, BlueBeary was very good. I bought a bottle of this one. Recommend stopping by this place!

This winery looks like it’s located in an old Stuckey’s. There’s plenty of room for parking and even has a brewery for those not seduced by wine. Cute bear theme through out with a good gift shop filled with Michigan-​made products. In back, is a patio with stage for concerts and parties. Every Saturday night is party night!
They sell not only their wine and beer; they also sell balsamic vinegars and flavored oils by the bottle. Their Sunset Blush is an excellent summer wine, pretty to look at and great tasting as well.

Much like its sister store across the road, Sleeping Bear Winery is great. It has the family owned feel to it and offers a free wine tasting of up to 6 samples (probably about an ounce each). It’s a lot bigger than just the tasting room of Cherry Creek, as there is also a microbrewery attached (Bad Bear Brewery). I was unable to try the beer (I KNOW! RIDICULOUS!) since I already had two brewery stops on the way home to Chicago and no DD to keep me going, but the selection was impressive. They had quite a few brews from ciders and wheats to ales, IPAs, and stouts. There is also a pretty decent wine selection (similar to Cherry Creek in cuteness but a much wider variety) and some infused oils, local honey, and other gifts too. I ended up getting the «Beary White» because, well, that’s just damn funny. If I ever make my way out to Concord again, I will definitely give the brewery a try.

Pleasantly surprised to find this spot. Located conveniently just off exit of I94. Has both beer & wine. Small place. Very nice outdoor seating area. Owner onsite friendly and informative.

«Free Wine Tasting» signs are what lured me off the I-​94.
We were bored, been driving for hours and needed a break. And who doesn’t love a wine break?
We tasted 5 wines: Winedog, Bear Lake, Honey Dew, Red Current, and Blue beary. We left with two bottles of the Gold medal winner– Winedog and another medal winner– the blue beary and a bottle of the red current.
I had no idea Michigan’s wines were so tasty, let alone ponder about Michigan wineries but they were good– especially the sweet, Dessert wine.
The winery’s tasting room is charming helped by their staff– most I suspect are the owner’s children. Not only are the staff helpful but informed me that few Chicago restaurants carry their wine, including Avec. The taste of Michigan store featured all kinds of jams, fruit butters and «cherry salsa».
If you’re out and about in Michigan on the I-​94, stop by and give it a taste!