Growing the Future: New Vines Planted at Wilson Estate Vineyard
Every vineyard has a story, and ours continues to grow one vine at a time.
This spring marked another exciting milestone at Wilson Estate Vineyard as we planted 400 new Pinot Grigio vines, expanding our vineyard and taking another step toward producing even more estate-grown wines for our guests and Wine Club members to enjoy in the years ahead.
Our Vineyard Journey Began in 2020
When we planted our first vines in 2020, we knew we were beginning a long-term journey. Unlike many agricultural crops, grapevines require years of careful cultivation before they consistently produce fruit suitable for winemaking.
Our original vineyard blocks included:
- Marquette
- Petite Pearl
- Itasca
These varieties were selected specifically for Michigan’s climate and growing conditions. They are known as hybrid grape varieties, meaning they were developed by crossing different grape species to create vines with improved cold hardiness, disease resistance, and reliability in northern growing regions.
For vineyards in Michigan, hybrid varieties often provide an excellent balance between fruit quality and vineyard sustainability.
Expanding the Estate
Our vineyard continued to grow in 2024 with the addition of:
- 250 Cayuga vines
- 250 Frontenac vines
Both varieties have become popular among northern vineyards for their ability to thrive in colder climates while producing distinctive wines that showcase regional character.
Now, in 2026, we’ve added another 400 vines to the property with the planting of Pinot Grigio.
What Makes Pinot Grigio Different?
Unlike the hybrid varieties already growing throughout our vineyard, Pinot Grigio is classified as a Vitis vinifera grape.
You may hear winemakers refer to these as “vinifera varieties.”
Vinifera grapes are the traditional European wine grapes responsible for many of the world’s most recognizable wines, including:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Merlot
- Riesling
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Grigio
These varieties are prized for their classic wine characteristics and are grown extensively throughout Europe and many of the world’s premier wine regions.
While viniferous grapes can be more challenging to grow in colder climates, they offer exciting opportunities for producing wines with distinct flavor profiles and traditional winemaking expression.
The addition of Pinot Grigio brings another layer of diversity to our vineyard and opens the door to future estate wines that showcase both hybrid and vinifera grape varieties.
What Does “Estate Wine” Mean?
One term you’ll often hear around the vineyard is estate wine.
In simple terms, estate wines are produced using grapes grown on the winery’s own property rather than purchased from outside growers.
For us, estate wines represent something special.
They allow us to guide every step of the process—from planting and pruning to harvesting and winemaking. Every bottle tells the story of a growing season, the weather, the soil, and the care invested throughout the year.
When guests enjoy one of our estate wines, they’re experiencing a true expression of Wilson Estate Vineyard.
Looking Ahead
Vineyards require patience.
The vines we planted this year won’t become wine overnight. They’ll spend the coming seasons establishing strong root systems, adapting to their environment, and preparing to produce quality fruit in the years ahead.
But that’s part of what makes winemaking so rewarding.
Each new row planted today contributes to the wines we’ll be sharing tomorrow.
As our vineyard continues to mature and expand, we’re excited about the opportunity to produce more estate-grown wines and offer new tasting experiences for our guests.
Our Wine Club members will be among the first to experience many of these future releases through exclusive tastings, early access opportunities, and special events at the vineyard.
Experience Wilson Estate Vineyard Today
While we eagerly anticipate future vintages from our newest plantings, visitors don’t have to wait to enjoy estate-grown wines.
We currently offer estate wines produced from grapes grown right here at Wilson Estate Vineyard, allowing guests to experience the flavors and craftsmanship that continue to shape our vineyard’s future.
Whether you’re visiting for a tasting, joining our Wine Club, or simply following along as the vineyard grows, we’re grateful to share this journey with you.
After all, every great bottle begins with a single vine—and this year, we planted 400 more.