Detroit winery also announcing expanded shipping availability to 37 states
OCTOBER 15, 2020 – Detroit Vineyards is announcing the release of its Spring 2020 collection, the first from winemaker and Michigan native Christopher Southern. The city’s only wine producer and tasting room, Detroit Vineyards is also introducing an extension of the brand, with the new “Woodward & Vine” line.
The Spring 2020 collection includes two wines from Detroit Vineyards, a 2019 Rose and 2018 Chardonnay, and four wines from Woodward & Vine: 2019 “CV” (Chardonnay and Vignole), 2019 Marsanne, 2019 “Blau!” (Blaufrankisch), and 2018 “EMCEE” (Merlot and Cabernet Franc).
“We wanted to branch out from what we viewed as a somewhat traditional approach to winemaking, and Woodward & Vine is the result,” says Christopher Southern, winemaker for Detroit Vineyards. “We’re all about making wine approachable, but we’re also serious about viticulture, wine production, and showcasing the depth and breadth of wine we can make really well here in Michigan.”
Detroit Vineyards works directly with growers along the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, an American Viticultural Area in southwest Michigan. Located in the state’s traditional “fruit belt”, Lake Michigan Shore AVA is the oldest modern commercial grape region of the state and home to a majority of Michigan vineyards and half of the state’s wine grape production. Vineyards in the region date back to 1867.
Tasting notes for the Detroit Vineyards Spring 2020 release:
- 2019 Rose:Made from 100% Merlot grapes using the French method (pressed immediately upon arrival at the winery). Aged in stainless steel for 8 months. Essence of crunch berries, strawberries, and watermelon hard candies from the ‘90’s. 200 cases produced.
- 2018 Chardonnay:One of the world’s most popular grape varietals and a standby in Michigan, the 2018 Chardonnay was fermented for 20 months, and is a blend of 80% second filled French oak barrels and 20% stainless steel. Tastes of green apple, caramel, coconut, and Kris Jenner’s perfume. 350 cases produced.
Tasting notes for the Woodward & Vine Spring 2020 release:
- 2019 “CV”:A nod to winemaker Chris Southern’s time spent on the North Island of New Zealand where “CV” is a common blend of Chardonnay and Viognier, the Detroit Vineyards 2019 CV is 80% Vignole and 20% Chardonnay. Fermented and aged eight months in stainless steel. Notes of apple, juicy fruit, and wake boarding on Lake St. Clair. 350 cases produced.
- 2018 “Emcee”:A blend of 60% Merlot (“EM”) and 40% Cabernet Franc (“CEE”). Fruit was destemmed and fermented on whole berries in ½ ton picking bins and punched down twice daily. At dryness, fruit was pressed to 80% twice filled barriques and 20% stainless steel. Aged 20 months. Tastes like blueberries and dark chocolate covered raspberries, with hints of eucalyptus and sandalwood. 300 cases produced.
- 2019 “Blau!”:The fruit for this 100% Blaufrankisch was beautiful, especially in a year as challenging as 2019. Given the quality, the winemaker chose to ferment carbonically: the berries remain on the stem and fermentation begins enzymatically, without the presence of oxygen, in ½-ton bins covered with dry ice. This causes the berries to ferment from the inside out and explode. Once the carbonic fermentation began, the fruit was foot-stomped twice daily until dryness and pressed into three neutral barriques for eight months. Notes of pop rocks, grape jelly, plums, graphite, and men’s cologne. 75 cases produced. Wine Club exclusive.
- 2019 Marsanne:Native to the Northern Rhone in France and grown widely on the central coast of California, Marsanne is an incredibly rare find in Michigan. A tiny supply was collected from Domain Berrien in Southwestern Michigan, and the cooler climate has given this wine a nice bit of acid and restrained fruit flavors. Pressed immediately upon arrival and fermented in stainless steel, then aged in neutral barrels for six months. Balanced hints of peach, pear, key lime, and grapefruit pith. 65 cases produced. Wine Club exclusive.
The Detroit Vineyards Wine Club was introduced earlier this year and offers three levels of membership, including the ‘Founders 1701 Society,’ which includes a full case of wine and many other perks.
The tasting room at Detroit Vineyards is open Wednesday-Sunday from 2pm to 10pm. Curbside / contactless order pick-up is available, as well as delivery to Michigan and 37 other states across the U.S. The winery continues to offer virtual / online wine tastings, led by the winemaker, for individuals and groups of any size. Visit www.detroitvineyards.com for more information.
About the Winemaker
Chris Southern grew up outside of Detroit and spent 10 years in food & beverage retail management before relocating to San Luis Obispo, Calif. and earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Enology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has managed winemaking operations in iconic regions including Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa, Santa Barbara, and Edna Valley in California, as well as Walla Walla, Washington, New Zealand, and Northern Michigan. In 2019, Chris returned to manage Detroit Vineyards and add his support to the region’s wine-producing efforts. He is a certified CrossFit coach and marathon runner, and loves Chablis.
About Detroit Vineyards
Detroit Vineyards is a full-functioning winery creating nuanced and noteworthy wines, ciders and meads using Michigan-grown fruit and honey in their state-of-the-art facility in downtown Detroit. Detroit Vineyards produces wines reflective of the terroir and microclimate of Michigan, focusing on Vinifera varietals like Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Blaufrankisch, Chardonnay, Riesling and Marsanne, along with French and American hybrid varietals that thrive in the region’s variable climate, like Traminette and Vignole. The winery works with producers across Michigan, and maintains a one—acre vineyard in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood, with 700 vines of Marquette, a cold-hardy hybrid varietal.
Every Detroit Vineyards product is made on-site: grapes (or apples, for mead and cider) are destemmed, crushed, pressed, fermented, bottled, and racked at their production facility and tasting room in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market district. Detroit Vineyards is the only place in the city where guests can sample wines where they’re made and meet the people who make them. For more information, visit www.DetroitVineyards.com.
