
Now that winter is behind us it's time to do the final prep work and get the 2017 white wines bottled. The 2017 vintage was Classic with dry weather from July through September, warm days and our signature cool, Michigan nights. The dry weather is perfect for ripening grapes and the 2017 wines show it.
We will soon bottle our first Chardonnay. This wine was fermented in oak barrels in the traditional style from Burgundy. The barrels were older oak so there is very little oak extract / flavor in the wine. By stirring the yeast / lees regularly the wine has become rich and complex but still has crisp acidity to balance creamy cheeses and compliment lighter fare like seafood.
We will soon bottle our first Chardonnay. This wine was fermented in oak barrels in the traditional style from Burgundy. The barrels were older oak so there is very little oak extract / flavor in the wine. By stirring the yeast / lees regularly the wine has become rich and complex but still has crisp acidity to balance creamy cheeses and compliment lighter fare like seafood.
Services
A cross with Gewurztraminer, Traminette shows off with intense aromas of apricot, orange zest, honeysuckle and rose like its well known parent. The flavors pop with a hint of sweetness that leads to a satisfyingly long finish. Perfect for any occasion, Traminette pairs well with salads, mild cheeses and curries.
These awards are from 2019 wine competitions and, of course, we are proud to share them with you! Read the reviews and then taste for yourself- our reds are among the best in southwest Michigan. We strive to show off what our climate, soil and latitude can produce. We use minimal processing technology and lots of Old World, hand on techniques that produce the finest wines.
Chardonnay was hand harvested during cool, morning conditions and transported to the winery where it was whole-cluster pressed. Light press juice was chilled and settled for 24 hours, then racked to ferment in a stainless steel tank. The fermentation was kept cool to retain fruit aromas and preceded to dryness over 7 days with Prisse de Mousse yeast.
Reviews (25)
Colin Wagner
Dec 25, 2021
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D. B.
Oct 03, 2021
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Jamie Coakley
Jun 27, 2021
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Scott Roulo
May 25, 2021
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Mila Janusonis
Jan 03, 2021
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Victor Garabedian
Nov 14, 2020
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My fiancé and I stopped in here with only a few minutes before close and the service was INCREDIBLE! The young lady helping us was so nice and friendly. We had a nice conversation about the area and asked her whats the worst hotel to stay at while visiting? Lucky us we had a room at the hotel she said the Silver CRACK Hotel (Silver Beach Hotel...nothing silver about this place Lol). She had also told us where to get some food and pointed us towards Silver Beach Pizza boy did she hit a homerun on that. We had a great time in the short time we were there. I'm sure they will remember us for a while
Ross Higginbotham
Jul 03, 2020
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Frank Cruz
Jun 17, 2020
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Vanni T.
Dec 12, 2019
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Another year, another Reindog parade, ANOTHER VISIT TO WHITE PINE!
Nothing seems to warm the heart and soul quite like the combo of the parade along with a glass of their delicious mulled wine. The tasting room attendants are lovely, as always. They take the time to explain all of the flavors and aromas of the wines and are always so happy to help. Being dog-friendly (doggy biscuits included) gives this place an A+++++++ in my book. A must visit in winter or summer!
Nothing seems to warm the heart and soul quite like the combo of the parade along with a glass of their delicious mulled wine. The tasting room attendants are lovely, as always. They take the time to explain all of the flavors and aromas of the wines and are always so happy to help. Being dog-friendly (doggy biscuits included) gives this place an A+++++++ in my book. A must visit in winter or summer!
Niki S.
Nov 22, 2019
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I'll admit, when I see a wine shop with tons of wine-type signs and kitchen decorations for sale, my skeptisim goes up. White pine however, proved me wrong, and after further thought, I realized given their main street/downtown location amidst several other shops all whom have window displays/flair to draw in the seasonal tourists, it made sense.
Better yet, we really enjoyed several of the wines poured for us, and hearing about the wine making journey from the owner, Dave.
As a west coast gal, my pallet prefers more of the bolder reds, and crisp bubbles, and White Pine was able to share
Better yet, we really enjoyed several of the wines poured for us, and hearing about the wine making journey from the owner, Dave.
As a west coast gal, my pallet prefers more of the bolder reds, and crisp bubbles, and White Pine was able to share
Rick B.
Sep 16, 2019
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Nice little wine tasting venue on the main drag through St. Joe's ... one of a number on the street. While most of these places close up at 5 pm on Sunday - it seems like they roll up the streets - this one stayed open just because we walked in the door 5 minutes before closing - classy.
For a storefront wine tasting place this one was just perfect. They served enough tastes for your measure, and they had a nice selection of wines for purchase. They also had a bench outside for anyone waiting and not tasting that day - nice thought. Tastings were 6 samples for $8 - although this does change
For a storefront wine tasting place this one was just perfect. They served enough tastes for your measure, and they had a nice selection of wines for purchase. They also had a bench outside for anyone waiting and not tasting that day - nice thought. Tastings were 6 samples for $8 - although this does change
Heather Fisher
Aug 15, 2019
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Sophie P.
Aug 14, 2019
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Drew B.
May 24, 2019
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Megan K.
Dec 18, 2018
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I absolutely loved this winery. What I loved even more is how they separated tastings more to people's tastes. I treated my dad to the "sweethearts" tasting, as we both have very similar tastes, and he loved the wines so much he bought a bottle of each. We're going to pop open the bottle of ice wine on xmas, and I highly recommend stopping in and doing a tasting if you're in the area!
Jami K.
Jun 13, 2018
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Gary H.
Oct 30, 2017
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Awesome, just awesome..... We hit 8 different wineries in the area this weekend, and for my pallet and taste, this was by far my favorite. We found things we like and didn't like at every tasting we tried, until White Pine, and just loved every single wine we tried. Of course there were preferences and in my opinion some characteristics that were better than others variety to variety, but over all this was hands down the best. I'm not a sweet wine fan, so this wine maker was perfect for me. Great balance of flavors, some dryer than others, great high notes in some, long finishes in
Kai B.
Oct 17, 2017
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While flipping through a local gazette , I found a coupon for White Pine. Happily, I left my hotel to head to the winery. What a darling little spot, filled with little knickknacks for the home.
The staff was friendly, and suggested a flight. I did the tasting, and the wines were good, yet extremely sweet to my taste buds. While I didn't leave with bottles, I left with new facts about Michigan wines. There's always something to learn, and what better teacher than someone who's passionate about what the sell.
I wasn't able to use my little coupon... but it got me in the door
The staff was friendly, and suggested a flight. I did the tasting, and the wines were good, yet extremely sweet to my taste buds. While I didn't leave with bottles, I left with new facts about Michigan wines. There's always something to learn, and what better teacher than someone who's passionate about what the sell.
I wasn't able to use my little coupon... but it got me in the door
Suzanne B.
Aug 14, 2017
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We jumped in over here while waiting for our party bus to pick us up. They offer wine tastings and wine by the glass. Everything was beautifully displayed here and there was tons of wine knicknacks to buy too!
We were persuaded to try their sangria, and boy were we glad we did! It just seemed to be one of their basic whites with peaches, strawberries and other fruit in it. The wine picked up the fruit flavors so beautifully... the drink was refreshing and sweet in a natural way. Not too sweet or sugary, though. We all LOVED IT. I got a bottle of the white to try and make this on my own too. The
We were persuaded to try their sangria, and boy were we glad we did! It just seemed to be one of their basic whites with peaches, strawberries and other fruit in it. The wine picked up the fruit flavors so beautifully... the drink was refreshing and sweet in a natural way. Not too sweet or sugary, though. We all LOVED IT. I got a bottle of the white to try and make this on my own too. The
Stacy E.
Jun 25, 2017
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Kara T.
Jun 09, 2017
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This one was on my list to try, and we wanted to hit up a few wineries near where we were staying. I believe that the tastings ran 6 tastings for 6 dollars and about 1.5 oz pours. They were known for their dry wines which worked great for us, but they had a little bit of everything.
The server was very knowledgeable, and I enjoyed the conversation. He talked to us and gave us wine based off of our tastings. The bottles of wine ranged from 20-30 dollars. I was hesitant to buy a bottle at first, and I probably would have bought one if they opened earlier in the next morning. I definitely recommend
The server was very knowledgeable, and I enjoyed the conversation. He talked to us and gave us wine based off of our tastings. The bottles of wine ranged from 20-30 dollars. I was hesitant to buy a bottle at first, and I probably would have bought one if they opened earlier in the next morning. I definitely recommend
Natasha B.
May 08, 2017
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This place was great! The wines were really good. We told sandy what kind of drinks we liked and she customized our tasting to it and even let us try a few more. The place is cute with a lot of decorative items to browse between tastings. sandy was soooo nice and informative. Open to all our questions and she was very knowledgeable.
Barry F.
Jul 03, 2016
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We've been coming to Michigan for years and a few years ago White Pine Winery opened a tasting room in St. Joseph.
For $6 you can do a tasting of six wines. They have suggested 'pairings' but will also customize based on your preferences. They are extremely knowledgable and friendly. It's one of the things we look forward to each year we visit!
If you end up buying wines (I believe it's $40 or more) they waive the wine tasting fee. Chances are you won't pay for the tasting! Their wines are very good: a nice grouping of Michigan-based grapes, from dry to sweet.
Favorite
For $6 you can do a tasting of six wines. They have suggested 'pairings' but will also customize based on your preferences. They are extremely knowledgable and friendly. It's one of the things we look forward to each year we visit!
If you end up buying wines (I believe it's $40 or more) they waive the wine tasting fee. Chances are you won't pay for the tasting! Their wines are very good: a nice grouping of Michigan-based grapes, from dry to sweet.
Favorite
Tina N.
Nov 07, 2015
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Lily Z.
Oct 13, 2015
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