Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar

What does our slogan, “The Lake Effect Everyone Loves” mean? What is the “Lake Effect” and why is it so important? What we call the “Lake Effect” is the moderating effect that Lake Michigan has on the climate of West Michigan, and it is what makes grape growing possible. There is a narrow band right along the shore where cold tender grape varieties can be successfully grown. Most people who live around here know the Lake Effect as heavy winter snowfall. But we know the Lake Effect as milder winter temperatures leading to great Michigan wine. Back in the early 70's, before the farms known as Fenn Valley Vineyards were purchased, founder Bill Welsch, having virtually no grape growing experience, traveled to the various repositories of viticultural knowledge of the day to learn how to select a good vineyard site. Everyone said that we would need a large body of water on the windward side if we were going to grow the cold tender European grape varieties that make great wine.