Being Michigan’s oldest and largest winery, St. Julian Winery definitely deserves some love during our 30 Days of Michigan Wine homage. St. Julian originally began as Meconi Wine Company in Windsor, Canada, founded by Mariano Meconi. Mariano emigrated from Italy, and after the repeal of Prohibition, he moved his wine making company across the river to Detroit. In 1936, Mariano moved the winery yet again to its present location in Paw Paw and changed the name to The Italian Wine Company. In 1941 Mariano changed the name for the final time to St. Julian Winery.
I’ve never been to the winery in Paw Paw, however I have been to one of the tasting rooms. There are currently 5 tasting rooms through out southern Michigan in which you can sample and purchase St. Julian wine. The tasting room I frequented was off 94 outside of Jackson. It has since been relocated after an unnamed adult business decided to spring up over night next door. It’s a shame, because I loved stopping off at that location when I was headed to the west side of the state. The tasting room staff were incredibly nice and eager to share their knowledge of all things St. Julian. It was that staff that let me know that St. Julian actually makes some pretty freaking fantastic wine! Up to that point I had known them only for the non-alcoholic sparkling wine I used to drink around the holidays before I was of age. I’m so glad that I by chance stopped in that first time.
I fell in love with the Braganini Series (small lot production of dry, single varietal wines) while in the tasting room, and always came home with a case full of whatever was released that season. My favorite has always been the Chancellor Noir. St. Julian now has over 15 Braganini Reserve wines, and a long list of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations.
If you’re around any of the 5 tasting rooms in Paw Paw, Frankenmuth, Union Pier, Dundee or South Haven, I highly recommend a quick stop in. If the staff at those locations are anything like the ones that worked at the one I visited before, then you’ll be in for a real treat! I believe you can find some of the Braganini bottles at area grocery stores and bottle shops as well. If you’ve had St. Julian wine before, what’s your favorite?
