My wife and I visited the Warner Vineyards tasting room in South Haven, Michigan several times over the Summer (usually when friends or family were in town visiting). The notes below are a compilation of our multiple visits. For the most part this is a winery that you would only want to seek out for a diversion and not a serious tasting experience. Too many non vintage wines. Too many fruit and non vinifera wines. Too little quality. Most of the time they will serve you with plastic glasses. Frankly they don't take their wines very seriously and therefore neither should you. The tastings are free though and the South Haven tasting room is located in a very good location right on the harbor and among cute shops and restaurants. Here are my notes:

Sparkling and Whites
N.V. Warner Vineyards Demi Sec - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
Multiple samples tasted over the Summer. 3.2% residual sugar. Always dull and a little flabby on the finish. Lacks vibrancy and cleanness. White color and clear. 78 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Traminette - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (6/1/2009)
I had this a few more times over the Summer with consistent notes. Pretty nose with some spice but less than you would expect from a gewurz. This was the best white that I tried. A little spice to go with the pear notes. Medium bodied. A touch of sweetness. 81-84 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Pinot Grigio - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
Sampled at the tasting room in South Haven. No formal notes. 82 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Riesling - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
I tried this a few times over the Summer at the tasting room as well. Lovely floral nose. A dry wine but with a hint of sweetness. Showed some typical Riesling character. 80-84 points.

Blush
N.V. Warner Vineyards Classic Blush - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
Sampled at the tasting room in South Haven. Did not like this but my wife did. Some sour notes mixed in with rose petal aromas. Pretty pink color. 76 points.

Red
N.V. Warner Vineyards 2 Cab Merlot - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
Sampled at the South Haven tasting room. This is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot. Probably the best red that I have had from Warner. Deep red purple color. A little mocha with fruit notes of grape skins and plums. This actually had a good amount of body to it. Rich finish. The biggest problem with this wine is the price. $35. Yikes! 86-87 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (6/1/2009)
At the South Haven tasting room. I liked this slightly better than the Cab Franc, A dry wine with notes of tea leaves and red berry. 83 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Cabernet Franc - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (6/1/2009)
At the South Haven tasting room. Burnt red color. Dry with some green notes and smokey fruit. 82 points.

Dessert
N.V. Warner Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (6/1/2009)
By far the best wine of what was being poured. Made from grapes frozen on the vine. Sweet tropical fruit notes. Needed more acidity but loaded with flavor. Selling for $34 (half price). 88 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (9/29/2009)
Sampled this again at the tasting room in South Haven while I was there walking through town with some visiting friends. Still being sold for half price. This is a good wine but an unimpressive wine as far as icewines go. Needs more acidity and crisper more tropical fruit. Pear and peach notes. A typical problem with icewines made from vidal blanc in my opinion. 87 points.

N.V. Warner Vineyards Port - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (6/1/2009)
At the South Haven tasting room. Good nose. This had a grapey/raisiny taste with a good bite to it. Won't confuse it with a wine from Portugal but it was good. 84 points.

VM