Have you ever fantasized about getting a little land, growing your own grapes, making wine and having people over every weekend to drink it? Well, Lori and Brian Herron are living that dream and they invite you to join them at Social Vines.
How it all began
Before Social Vines, Lori Herron was a hobby wine-lover who took sommelier classes and coached friends on which wines to buy for work events. When the city suggested the Herrons use their plot of land in Dexter for agriculture, sparks flew. Lori knew just what to do. “Why don’t I put a boutique vineyard on the property?” She asked. “I like wine, I like to garden, it was perfect.”
When the pandemic kept the Herrons and their five children at home, Lori took viticulture classes and fell in love with the agricultural science behind wine. Then, work began on the vineyard in earnest. They did the trellising themselves (with some help from the kids and Brian’s builders license). They planted the cold-hearty varietals. Grapes began to grow.
It takes an immense amount of certification to sell one’s wine to the public. After zoning, building permits, Agritourism permits, a Small Wine Maker license and an On-Premises Tasting Room Permit, they’ve done it. Social Vines opened this July, ready to serve thirsty patrons.
Making wine better
Whether you’re a sommelier or an amateur, Social Vines has something to offer. Their wine list offers refreshing and interesting new flavors that you might not find anywhere else. The natural environment here in Michigan, which they call the ‘terroir’ in wine-speak, isn’t the same as Napa Valley or France. This offers new opportunities for crafting (and sampling) unique wines.
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Lori Herron describes Michigan as an “up-and-coming” wine region. Although Social Vines uses its elevation and sun exposure to produce deep, heavy reds, the cold Michigan climate generally makes for more acidic, lighter, fruit-forward wines. “When you look at the trends, that’s what people are looking for,” Herron explains. “I think Michigan’s positioned pretty well for that. We’re making wine better.”
A drink with a social life
As you look down the wine list, you’ll see a trend: the vintage collection is named with a social flair. FOMO, Rendezvous, Vivacity. Why? Well, they’re trying to make wine an inviting space for everyone. It’s a comfortable get-together every weekend on the vineyard, and you’re invited.
Beyond that, though, Lori sees wine as inherently wrapped up in the social: “Wine is thousands and thousands of years old and it’s all centered around connection.” Social Vines is all about building the connection between the wine, the land, and the people.
A visit to Social Vines proves that it earns its name. The most stunning symbol of kinship and continuity is the barn: the 150-year-old structure has been restored and really reminds visitors that this is a 70-acre working farm. The tasting room is cozy, fit for 17 people, but the outdoor space is really where the vineyard shines. Everyone of all ages is welcome, and dogs are, too. For those who abstain from alcohol, there are non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase, and there are snacks and small plates to pair with the drinks.
Harvest plans
So, what’s next for a little Michigan vineyard upkeeping a millennia-old tradition? For starters, they’re open every Friday and Saturday. Every weekend, they have yoga in the vineyard. On many weekends, they’re hosting food trucks. And October 18, they’ll be holding a full-blown harvest celebration. Eventually, they hope to add a wine subscription service with online ordering to their repertoire. In between all these events, they’re pulling grapes from the vines and preparing for another vintage. Social Vines vineyard is the fruit of their labor, and you can taste that it is a labor of love.
Social Vines. 6620 Dexter Ann Arbor Road in Dexter. https://socialvines.com/. (734) 888-4187. lori@herron.us. Instagram: @socialvinesdexter. https://www.facebook.com/socialvinesvineyard.
