I am planning a GTG on June 20th for a Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Tour.

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

List:
Gryfan
rvd4now
offdutyagain

NOTE: The area was hit with a mojor tornado on Saturday June 5th. Please check this post to see if the event will be rescheduled because of damage. Thanks

AS OF WED. JUNE 9th THERE ARE STILL AREAS OF DUNDEE W/O POWER. SO....I AM GOING TO CANCEL FOR NEXT WEEKEND AND RE-SCHEDULE FOR LATER IN THE SUMMER....SORRY.

 

OK here is a TENTATIVE schedule. In order to make the drive in reasonable for those on the west side of the state, I suggest we meet at 10am at Big Boy on M-50 in Tecumseh. It is on the west side of town and I will check and see if they will block the back area of the restaurant for our use

The Big Boy is next to a shopping center so there will be plenty of parking for those that want to attend. Plus they have the ability to order off the menu or if you are running a little late, the breakfast buffet is an option.

We have 2 hours to arrive, socialize and eat. The wineries open at noon. While there are some very nice shops downtown, I will check and see which are open on Sundays. Again, there is off street parking in the municipal lot on the north side of 50 downtown.

From there we can hit Pentamere (downtown) and some light shopping as the group decides. Then it's on to Cherry Creek, our next stop.

What would be VERY helpful would be a head-count of those planning to attend. It will allow me the opportunity to make up maps, POI's and if you plan on coming in on Saturday, some type of hospitality Saturday night.


FWIW, Gryfan has asked me to assist in hotel accomodations for Saturday and Sunday. He prefers a Holiday or a Crowne. Since we are mostly a rural area with a boat-load of lakes, the hotels are nice but not 5-star. I am thinking of using Dundee, MI as a rally point for those who want to make a weekend of it. There are some nice, new units. It is close to US-23 and with Cabellas, St Julien wine tasting room and a multitude of close restaurants this is probably the best location. Plus it is only a 25 minute drive from Dundee to the restaurant.

Some additional information, The Country Inn and Suites by Carlson is a 5-star property in Dundee right at M-50 and US-23. I have emailed them about making this a host property for those who may choose to come in Saturday night. They have an indoor pool and a hot tub plus jacuzzi's in the rooms if you are so inclined.

I do need a head count if possible. The hotel says they will set up a website for us for the event and rooms can be booked off of the site, but I still need a count to know wether I deal with national reservations or the property directly.

Please let me know what everyone thinks.

 

Keep in mind that a lot of people will be packing for St Louis that weekend. James

 

James,

I am aware there is some conflict with CAA, unfortunately, there is a NASCAR race the weekend before and the Wine Fest the following weekend.

Man, I seem to be screwing up by the numbers here tonight.

We'll just have to see how many are interested to see if this works, if not, then we'll find another weekend.

 

this may provide those who can't go to st.louis with something to do locally.also offduty again i do not need a 5 star.......they may not let me into a 5 star(lol).i'll leave it in your hands.
thanks for doing the organization of this gtg.it can be a thankless job at times.
gryfan
SOCO

 

All,
If you plan on coming in on Saturday the I suggest the Country Inn and Suites in Dundee, MI. It is a nice prooperty with an indoor pool and close to restaurants and shopping. They do have rooms available and if we can get a tentative head-count, they will give us a break on the price.

 

i cant wait i think im going to pull my car out tomorrow...

 

offdutyagain,
we are in....add us to the list!
gryfan

 

Good to see a few of you are making the trip. I am hoping that everyone has a good time that weekend.

 

I would love to join you all.....just in case you didn't know....Sat is Ann Arbors 2nd annual Cruise on Jackson Ave.....I hear there are suppose to be a lot of cars and music and food....but the down side is it is still calling for rain...it rained last year too...this is nothing like the Dream Cruise but it is just starting up. It is in my back yard but I am interested in Irish Hills Wine Tour too...Msgump

 

sorry I thought you were talking about this saturday....the 22nd of May.....had to reread your thread.
Well the Ann Arbor cruise is still on if anyone is interested...Judi

 

PLease join us if you can. We will be meeting in Tecumseh.
As for this weekend, there are a few of us hooking up at the German retaurant off Zeeb Rd. in Ann Arbor at 4pm. You can get more info on the "Looking for Michigan X-Fire" thread.

 

if some one wants to meet there before four i am open to doing that...

 

Just an update. For thiose interested in the Wine Tour, remember it is JUNE 20th. We meet in Tecumseh, MI at the Big Boy Restaurant on M-50 (west end of town) The meeting time is scheduled for 10 am and it would be helpful if you can give me an idea of how many are going to attend so I can let the restaurant know in advance. So shoot me a message and I'll add you to the list.

 

offdityagain,
this "big boy" will be at the Big Boy.
thanks for organizing this day out!
gryfan
SOCO

 

is june 20 still on....

 

We are still good to go on the 20th

 

i'm still in....can't wait.
gryfan

 

ok do we have a list of whos comming.. I have found out that june 20 is fathers day and that some people that were planing to attend will not be attending becuase they will be doing some thing on that day... so can we please start a running list "mike" offduty

i see the list sry

 

For those of you still planning on attending June 20th. Dundee was the site of a major tornado last night and there is some damage to the hotels in the area. I understand the Holiday Inn and suffered severe damage and there are reports of damage to Cabella's as well. I haven't heard anything about the Country Inn and Suites, but I will call them tomorrow to check. If it looks like the damage is area-wide, we may want to consider rescheduling. I will let everyone know.