Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Fenn Valley Vineyards represents winemaking and cultivation. This family-owned wine cellar and vineyard, established in 1973, has changed the Michigan wine landscape with its commitment to producing good wines from locally grown grapes. The Welsch family selected their 240-acre farm after analyzing weather patterns, climate data, and soil surveys to ensure grape-growing conditions. Unlike many vineyards that evolve from existing farmland, Fenn Valley was chosen for its potential.
What makes this vineyard different is its dedication to quality winemaking and integration with the environment. Located five miles from Lake Michigan, the property sits on a sand ridge between the Black River and Kalamazoo River valleys. This positioning creates the right temperature balance that grape vines need to grow. The wine cellar—a 17,000 square foot facility—was built into the hillside to maintain temperature stability, a key factor in producing wines that have earned Fenn Valley recognition throughout the Midwest and beyond.
The founding story of Fenn Valley Vineyards shows pioneering spirit and agricultural vision. When the Welsch family established the vineyard in 1973, they worked to transform tree fruit farms into terrain for vineyards. This process involved clearing fruit trees and preparing the soil to support vineyards. Their efforts began working when the first grape vines were planted in 1974, marking the start of a multi-generational commitment to winemaking. The family’s move from Chicago gave them the freedom to select this location specifically for its potential—a decision that has proven right over the decades.
Through nearly five decades of operation, Fenn Valley has kept its mission to produce good wines from Lake Michigan shore grapes. This vision has guided their development from early experimental plantings to today’s operation. Each year since those initial plantings, the vineyard has continued to expand, refine its techniques, and adapt its grape varieties based on performance both in the field and in the bottle. This approach to vineyard development, combined with the family’s commitment to quality, has established Fenn Valley as a destination for wine enthusiasts seeking Michigan wine in every glass.
The process of Fenn Valley’s wine production begins with what locals call “The Lake Effect”—the natural climate modification created by Lake Michigan that provides growing conditions for wine grapes. This creates a microclimate where winter temperatures are moderated enough to ensure vine survival, while summer temperatures remain warm enough for complete ripening without excessive heat that could harm grape quality. This climate control system places Fenn Valley with other great wine regions, including California, France, Italy, and Germany—all areas that benefit from proximity to water to moderate their growing climates.
The vineyard’s location on a sandy ridge provides the foundation for grape growing. This local wine and vineyard benefits from soil that is deep yet relatively infertile—good conditions for grape vines that grow when their roots search for nutrients, resulting in more concentrated flavors. Additionally, the property’s topography, with its gentle slopes, creates air drainage that protects vines from frost damage and extends the growing season, allowing grapes to develop their flavors. The result occurs in their wine cellar, where temperature stability supports the development of their table wines and nationally recognized fruit wines, including Peach, Cherry and Raspberry varieties.
