The best experiences in life are the ones that pleasantly surprise us. People don't expect much, and then they unanticipatedly discover something wonderful. Most people imagine visiting vineyards in places like Napa, Tuscany, and Bordeaux. Michigan certainly isn't a name often associated with winemaking, and, yet, Youngblood Vineyards in Ray, Michigan produces award-winning wines despite Michigan's harsh climate. This is a destination that will delight wine enthusiasts using its hospitality, flavors, and scenery.
Youngblood Vineyard
Jessica Youngblood offers visitors a hot welcome once they arrive. Even though the winemaker is usually busy–she planted most of the 23,000 vines herself–, she always finds time for you to make guests feel in your own home. The family's Great Pyrenees follow along as she guides guests along cordons of vines. Jessica tells the storyline of methods the vineyard and winery came to exist.
The 25-acre plantation is on land farmed by five generations of Youngbloods. After residing in California, Washington, and Virginia wine country, the pair found themselves drawn to winemaking and came up with a plan for the old family farm. Dave and Jessica cleared the land of Christmas trees and soy in 2022 to make room for grapevines.
Growing grapes in Michigan presented some unique obstacles–their farm had heavy soil and harsh frosts. They started by grading the soil deciding on the varieties they wanted to grow. The pair researched cold-hardy vines extensively before selecting plants in the University of Minnesota's breeding program. The vineyard's varieties include Itasca, Marquette, Frontenac, Petite Pearl, Frontenac Blanc, and Prarie Star.
The Youngbloods use sustainable farming techniques. Which means more work sometimes. Most recently, they've been since the vineyard with bird barrier netting to make sure that their grapes make it to harvest, but without harming any birds. Everyone in the family aids in these types of tasks, including their three children, Georgia, Gracie, and Wyatt. Visitors to the vineyard could get a glimpse of pre-teen Wyatt chopping wood for the pizza oven or driving the tractor. Wyatt loves farming so much that he's even started his own YouTube Channel, “Vine Boy,” to show different aspects of running a vineyard.
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Tasting The Youngblood Wines
The Youngbloods produced their first commercial wine in 2022. It is an estate wine, which means they only used grapes grown within their vineyard. All of their effort paid off in 2022–judges of the Michigan Wine Competition named the Youngbloods' Marquette best in its type of dry dark wine. Their other vino is Petite Pearl, Petite Pearl Rosé, Sherman Blanc, and Frontenac Blanc. For $10, guests can consider using a flight of six wines.
- Location: 61829 Ray Center Road, Ray Township, Michigan
- Hours: Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm and Sunday 12 pm – 7 pm
- Price: $10
Animals And Wildlife Around the Youngblood Farm
Jessica is really a self-professed animal lover therefore it is no real surprise that visitors see the household's animals. Tiny goats roam around waiting for weekend goat yoga. Plus there is the Flemish giant rabbit and a flock of chickens, too. Recently, Wyatt found and rescued a baby hummingbird. A few days before that, Jessica found a lost fawn and returned it to the mother.
- Goat yoga tickets: $25 via Eventbrite
- Time: 1 pm – 2 pm
- Description: Participants take a yoga class with animals nearby. Afterward, they drink a glass of Youngblood wine.
Whether travelers are looking for a glass of delicious wine, authentic wood-fired pizza, or a place where their kids can pet-friendly animals, they will find it at Youngblood Vineyards. Jason Davidson wrote this Google review: “I absolutely love this Vineyard for so many reasons. Great Wine. Great Family. Animals (goats, rabbits, dogs, and chickens), Wonderful estate-grown wine, and today wood-fire pizza. A classic wonderful place to spend a day.”
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