It's no mistake that wine is often described using musical terminology because when it's good it flows like a song, and if the average wine carries an occasional note of flavor then St. Julian's Heron line is best described as a complete song!

The maestro behind St. Julian’s highly awarded melodic trio is none other than David Braganini, current president of St. Julian’s - the oldest and longest-operating winery in the State of Michigan. Founded in 1921 by Braganini’s grandfather, Mariano Meconi, the Heron trio was orchestrated by Braganini in an effort to offer a cleaner, refreshing alternative to wine connoisseurs.

“Wine aficionados love variety and, as such, are always looking to sink their tongues into something new. We’ve orchestrated our Heron line to deliver a crisp, clean taste that wine drinkers seem to be appreciating more and more.”

He said. “The Heron line is unique in that each wine is expertly tuned using a superb selection of both fine wines and crisp, refreshing juices that are then carefully orchestrated into a symphony of flavors designed to dance across the tongue and leave the palate longing for more.”

An added bonus to this line is that it is a blend of alcohols and non-alcohols, creating a superbly flavored lower alcohol alternative for those occasions where less alcohol is desirable. “Its naturally lower alcohol content and luscious fruit flavor appeal to a broad spectrum of wine lovers” Braganini said, “making it an excellent accompaniment for all occasions.”

Braganini said his father Apollo was the inspiration behind the line. “I have always had an affinity for the Heron, and though it may sound strange, these birds remind me of my father so it seemed only fitting to name the line after them.”

Complementing St. Julian’s impressive list of more than 40 wines is another newer label, Braganini Reserve, which is a line of drier style wines that are polished, elegant and bursting with vibrant characteristics. This line is due in large part to Braganini’s mission to improve his wines through a more careful selection of the best modern and heirloom grapes, such as the Cabernet Franc - an heirloom French that is just one of the many special varieties he now uses in his line of finer wines that among others include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Riesling, Traminette, Meritage, Chancellor, Merlot and Syrah as well as the impressive sparkling Chardonnay, Blanc de Blanc.

Daughter Angela, who is in the process of learning the business from her father, shares her father’s enthusiasm for the business and is proud of yet another Heron product they have recently developed. “I’m really exciting about the new vodka we’ve created,” bubbled Angela. “It’s made from grapes and we’re calling it Grey Heron.”

Angela said that their first batches are not very big, which means it will be available in limited amounts. “Just give us a call and we’ll let you know if there are quantities available.”

Today the St. Julian Winery is one of 11 wineries that make up the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation, a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). The St. Julian Winery has been very instrumental in the creation and advancement of the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail, a project designed to improve Michigan’s tourism and economy.

For more information about St. Julian, Braganini products, locations and tours, or to shop online, visit www.stjulian.com and plan a visit to Michigan's most history-rich winery and one of its many tasting rooms soon!

WINE TASTING ROOM LOCATIONS

Paw Paw
716 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Phone: (269) 657-5568
Fax: (269) 657-5743
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday Noon - 6:00pm

Frankenmuth
127 S. Main St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Phone: (989) 652-3281
Fax: (989) 652-9884
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday Noon - 6:00pm

Parma
2110 N. Concord Road
Parma, MI 49269
Phone: (517) 531-3786
Fax: (517) 531-3649
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday Noon - 6:00pm

Dundee
119 Waterstradt-Commerce Drive
Dundee, MI 48131
Phone: (734) 529-3700
Fax: (734) 529-3779
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday Noon - 6:00pm

Union Pier
9145 Union Pier Road
Union Pier, MI 49129
Phone: (269) 469-3150
Fax: (269) 469-5044
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday Noon - 6:00pm

Travel Michigan has received permission to reproduce this article.

A lovely, languid drive along Old Mission Peninsula; the hilly green finger of land that divides the east and west sides of Grand Traverse Bay;is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. From the base of the peninsula, follow Garfield Road north out of Traverse City, then head left on M-37, also known as Center Road.  Brake for the tasting rooms of the half-dozen Old Mission wineries to pick up a bottle of vino for dinner, then swing by Fox Valley Gardens Farm Market (231-883-8337) for in-season fruits and veggies as well as honey, fresh cut flowers and maps of the peninsula.  Cut across Wilson Road and cruise the coast, turning right on Nelson Road for a captivating detour: latticework branches intertwine overhead, shading a sun-speckled lane that skirts one of the peninsula’s many orchards. This hidden two-track will bring you back to M-37, and a left leads you to Peninsula Market (14111 Center Rd., 231-223-9500) for picnic provisions like sandwiches and cold almond cherry chicken salad.

Follow the signs to the eclectic Old Mission General Store (18250 Old Mission Rd., 231-223-4310), where shafts of sunlight illuminate a happy clutter of penny candy, coon caps, antiques, toys and more. Ask owner Jim Richards about the history of this store: the first outpost between Detroit and the Straits of Mackinac. Nab a few more goodies for your picnic, then head north to Lighthouse Park  at the very tip of the peninsula. Here’s the spot for a sweet sunset picnic: beach access, a lovely lighthouse and curling sand paths calling you to the water. Make your way to the old metal swing set nestled in the sand, take a seat and let the swing’s soft creaking fold into the sound of the evening waves.

MyNorth.com, the vacation site of the North, is refreshed daily by the staff of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. Deborah Wyatt Fellows is editor-in-chief.