Local winery expanding into third tasting room

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — A local winery has expanded its product to a third tasting room, bringing Ludington-produced wine to other areas of Michigan. Love Wines Winery, 925 S. Washington Ave., began in 2014, offering locally grown and in-house fermented grapes and fruit wines.

In June 2023 the winery, owned by Jana Rose, expanded to a second tasting room at Red Barn Mercantile in downtown Lowell in Kent County. Last week Rose announced the winery is now adding a third tasting room at The Port, 143 Kent Street in Portland, Ionia County.

“We pride ourselves in working closely with local growers and processors including Donn Daugherty’s Summit Valley Vineyard in Summit Township,” Rose said. “Using grapes grown here in Mason County provide our wines with a unique taste.”

Rose started her career as a home winemaker then studied enology under Christian Butzke, the department head at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Her business was initially located on South James Street and then, in 2020, moved to the former Artist’s Market building, where she produces wine using over 30,000 pounds of west Michigan grown fruit and grapes annually. Rose credits the collaboration with the local farmers for the outstanding quality and character in her wines.

The Port is owned by Ludington native Merry Hass (formerly Coffin) and her husband Brian.

“The location, which hosts events and classes, was the perfect spot for the handcrafted wines,” Rose said. The Red Barn Mercantile is a Michigan based gift, snack, and candy shop.

Love Wines offers over 30 different wines in a variety of styles and sweetness levels including dry, sweet, dessert wines, and everything in between.

In Ludington, Love Wines Winery is currently open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours will expand after Memorial Day. Click here for more information.

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