For those who may not be familiar with the Irish Hills area. We are locaed near Michigan International Speedway off US-12. I picked Tecumseh, MI as a starting point since it is near US-23, M-52 and Tecumseh is situated on M-50.
If you are coming from the west, you can take I-94 to Chelsea, MI (Exit 159 and head south to US-12, then east to Tecumseh.
If you are coming from the Detroit area you can take I-94 to US-23, head south and exit at the M-50 Dundee (Cabella's) exit.
If you come in early, (Saturday) you can visit the "World's Foremost Outfitter" Cabellas and there are some interesting shops and restaurants in the Dundee area.
There are also 4 or 5 hotels ranging from a Holiday Inn to a Country Suites. NOTE: The Holiday Inn has a waterpark operation on weekends so plan accordingly.
Also, there are 2 good Mexican restaurants, a Bob Evans, Lone Star and the newly re-located St Julian Winery and tasting room just off US-23 at the Dundee exit.
If chocolate is more to your liking, there is a Russell Stover factory outlet store there as well and two beef jerkey places.
For a small town, Dundee is pretty neat.
If you are into eclectic shopping, there is the Swan Creek Candle Company and also a Christmas Ornament shop on the main drag.
All of the wineries open at noon. Pentemere is right in the heart of downtown Tecumseh and they have their vats/bottling/tasting operation in one building. This is an up and coming business with the owners being very hands-on.
From there it's west on M-50 to US-12, then west on 12 past MIS to Cherry Creek Wines. They are an established winery with 2 locations and a new operation this year operating under the name of Sleeping Bear Wines. Their second operation is off 94 near Albion, MI.
From Cherry Creek, we stay on US-12 to Flavor Fruit Farms. Steve, the owner, is starting his wine operation this year and he may or may not be in full-swing this early in the season, But, he will have Traverse City cherries, home-made baked goods (apple fritters are awesome) he also has a nice deck for his cafe and of course, cider from last falls crop. Steve freezes his extra cider at the end of the growing season, doesn't use preservatives and it is cold and sweet.
Our last stop will be Chateau Aeronatique. To be honest, I don't know much about this operation as he started last year. The winery is in a hangar situated on a grass strip in a fly-in community. I've heard it's a pretty decent facility and it is a short run up US-127 towards Leslie, MI. (Just north of Jackson)
All of the wineries have websites and you can check them out for yourself. There is no timetable, if we land someplace and it suits our needs and we end up staying, so be it. I am looking for a relaxing Sunday that most of SE and SW Michigan owners can attend.
Judging by the response....I am going to plan on the original date. Please PM me for specific information.
Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer.....cheers!
Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail - Pure Michigan Travel