OUR STORY.
Stoney Ridge Vineyards was established in fall of 2012. Our tasting room opened in June of 2020 and serves wines made onsite with our Michigan grown grapes and a full menu.
It was our hopes to transform a sleepy old farm house sitting on 18 acres into peaceful and welcoming vineyard and Tasting Room that folks like yourself would enjoy visiting as much as we enjoy living here. And our greater hope to become a tradition.
We are located in northern Kent county in the northwest corner of the area referred to as "The Ridge". The Ridge has long been known to be an agricultural mecca. Its ability to grow some of the best fruit and vegetables in the US if not the world is due to the topography and soil left behind by glaciers. With gentle rolling hills and fertile clay loam soils it can help protect against the spring frost and yet hold the much needed moisture needed through the summer months.
OUR LOCATION.
With "The Ridge" having 30+ farmer markets, greenhouses, and other attractions and being just 25 miles from the lake shore along M-37 we feel that we have a location that can be a place for people to stop in on their way up north or enjoy as a day trip to visit many markets. Either way "The Ridge" is becoming known not only as an agricultural mecca but also as a tourist destination.
Cheers and Welcome to Grand Rapids Wine Country.
Meet the OWNERS.
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Founder
Mary was born and raised on a farm on the south side of Holland where her love of the outdoors was born. My fondest memories of growing up were riding our horses, picking blueberries and just working on the farm. Working for many years in the medical billing field and raising a family along with many moves finally brought me back to the farm.
In 2012 Mary & Dale began their journey of building a vineyard and in 2017 began work on the Tasting Room. Through much “sweat equity”, long hours, and a few setbacks the dream has finally come true.
The tasting room is set to open Spring 2020 and will be serving wines made from grapes grown on the Estate.
Stop by and see Mary and Dale, look around the farm and relax, have a beverage, leave the stress behind.
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FounderDale was farm born and bred in Greenville. His career path was centered around the tool & die business and he owned multiple business in the industry for 30+ years.
As a hobby he began making wine in the basement some 20+ years ago, like most home wine makers some of it was drinkable and some was drain able!!
In 2005 he had advanced to purchasing grapes from SW Michigan vineyards crushing, desteming, pressing, & aging in oak. After extensive research on growing wine grapes in Michigan we set off on our search of which
varieties would grow the best on the "RIDGE", We felt that the Grand Rapids market was truly a area that needed not only tasting rooms but also need to become established as a wine region with working vineyards. After all the "RIDGE" area is known as the premier fruit growing area in Michigan so why not "Wine Grapes".
We had watched the Stoney Ridge farm for about 6 years before purchasing it. It was always a dream to make this farm a vineyard and Dale and Mary made that dream come true in 2012.