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February 19 - April 24, 2010Party for the Planet Enrichment and More February 19 - April 4St. Johns Lenten Soup and Salad DinnersEvery Friday Weekly Friday Night Fish FryEvery Friday Night now - AprilVid WeatherwaxMarch 20, 2010A Visit to the Dahlem Sugar BushMarch 20 and 21Grass Lake Spring Business ExpoMarch 20, 2010Creative Voice WorkshopMarch 20, 2010Family Fun NightMarch 20, 2010Jackson Symphony concert March 21, 2010Scats and Tracks

Wine Touring Around Jackson

Sample local wines amidst natural beauty

Wonderful local wines flow freely from the fertile farmlands that surround Jackson. Local vineyards and wineries beckon for a visit; you can relax, savor complementary samples of the local vintages, and just enjoy the scenery. Whether it's the vineyards themselves or one of Jackson's many other attractions that draw you to the area, you can easily spend a delightful afternoon or a whole weekend touring our wine country.

Michigan's Pioneer Wine Trail

Several wineries that surround Jackson form the heart of the region's Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, which extends for miles in all directions.

The Pioneer Wine Trail unites the wineries of the region, and their website provides links to each vintner's website and compiles event information in one easy spot. You won't want to miss annual wine trail festivities like the Michigan Wine Celebration each April and the Big Grape Tour in November. In addition, a rich variety of individual winery events throughout the year showcase local flavor and culture.

Visit their site, and you'll also find restaurant and accommodation information, as well as recipes from the wineries for great wine-pairing delicacies, like gourmet macaroni & cheese and apple nut bread.

Making a name for Michigan

Southeast Michigan wines have come a long way, and today's offerings reflect both the latest techniques and hands-on care. These exceptional wines are a product of well-established vines that have enjoyed years of Michigan's unique climate and soil. Wines produced in Southeast Michigan are treasures waiting to be found.

Corkd.com is a great resource for discovering new wines or sharing your favorites with others. Lone Oak, Pentamere and Cherry Creek are just a few of the Southeast Michigan wineries whose wines are profiled on the site. Visitors can post their own appraisals and read candid evaluations from fellow wine lovers.

A taste of history

Settlers in the early 19th century quickly discovered the value of Southeast Michigan's fertile soil. By the early 1900s, eight wineries stretching toward Lake Erie already flourished. After the end of Prohibition, sweet wines made from Concord grapes grown in Southwest Michigan fueled the state's wine industry. Yet when American tastes turned to drier wines, Michigan wineries suffered, and only one winery existing before 1950 – the St. Julian Wine Company – survived the shift.

Michigan wineries evolved, however, and the industry was soon rebuilt on a solid foundation of desirable grape varieties and dedicated winemakers. Today, Michigan wines are winning both national and international awards. To experience all that this region has to offer, take our wine tour.