Twenty years ago, Kerm and Sallie Campbell learned about the listing of a gorgeous 120-acre farm near Suttons Bay, complete with a plantation-style home, centennial barn and indoor and outdoor equestrian facility. Rounding up three partners and a young winemaker, Black Star Farms began. The first crush was celebrated that fall, and the home was turned into a luxurious inn. Now a 160-acre winery estate producing 45,000 cases and consistently rated #1 winery in the state, the Campbell family are the sole owners and remain the majority supplier of grapes to the winery.

This July, Black Star Farms is throwing a party. A week-long party, in fact, with a family-style BBQ, educational hikes on the property, wine tastings and more fun Northern Michigan events. Monday, July 23 through Saturday, July 28, visitors have many activities to choose from. A sampling of events include:

Wine Blending Class | July 26

Black Star’s winemaking team will guide guests through the intricacies of blending red wine.

Trail Hike and Wine Tasting | July 25 & July 28

Get outside for a nature hike and wine tasting led by Innkeeper Sean, a former park ranger.  Enjoy an informative 1.5-mile walk on the onsite trail system while enjoying a flight of award-winning Black Star Farms wines along the way. 

Wine and Cheese flight | July 23–28

What better way to taste wine! The Suttons Bay tasting room will be offering a red wine and cheese flight and a white wine and cheese flight for your pairing pleasure all week long.

Vertical Wine Tasting – Riesling | July 24

Sample five different vintages of riesling and experience the intriguing aging potential of this incredibly versatile white wine.

Vertical Wine Tasting – Pinot Noir | July 26

Sample five different vintages of pinot noir and experience the wonderful aging potential of this beautifully nuanced red wine.

Estate Tours | July 23–28

Enjoy a complementary guided walking tour of the breathtaking property including the exclusive inn, vineyard, centennial barn and wine cave while learning the history of the iconic 160-acre estate and about the incredible journey from grape to glass.

Barrel Tasting on the Patio | July 24

Have you wondered what your wine tastes like before it makes it into the bottle? This exclusive tasting experience will highlight the progression from barrel to bottle. You will taste barrel samples of the Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay and the Arcturos Pinot Noir next to our current bottled vintages.

Cocktail Class | July 27

Allow resident mixologist Blake to get you comfortable behind the bar! Observe and sample as he makes four classic cocktails with a twist featuring Black Star Farms wines and spirits.

Seafood Paella Nights | July 25 & 27

Hearth & Vine Cafe shares a Northern Michigan take on this wildly popular global dish. It’s more than a meal, it’s an experience!

BBQ at the Barn | July 28

Celebrate the culmination of the anniversary week with a special family-friendly BBQ in the Pegasus Barn.

Cheers to 20 years and many more! Visit MyNorthTickets.com for more information and tickets to all Black Star Farms events. 

—Press release provided by Black Star Farms


Northern Michigan Wine

Photo(s) by Black Star Farms