Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant

Road Trip! I headed two hours outside downtown Chicago to Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant in Buchanan Michigan. I was invited to a special event on July 31st to celebrate the unveiling of their new direction and the debut of a new menu by their new Chef, James Beard Award nominated – Chef Justin Carlisle.

For nearly 60 years, Tabor Hill help shape the story of Michigan wine country. On August 1st their introducing a new culinary experience rooted in seasonal ingredients, exceptional wines, and the hospitality that has defined Tabor Hill for generations.

It was very much a sense of homecoming for founder Rick Moersch when Moersch Hospitality Group acquired Tabor Hill in 2017. It was here in 1979 that he got his start in winemaking, making the jump from high school chemistry teacher to vintner. With Matthew Moersch now at the helm, the legacy continues!

With over a 59-year legacy, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant is proud to produce a family of wines that complement every occasion, offering 30 varieties spanning white to red, sweet to dry, and sparkling to still, many of which continue to take home awards at local, regional, and national levels. Nestled within this legacy lies a pioneering spirit, Tabor Hill Winery holds the distinction of being the first winery in Michigan to plant varietal grapes, Riesling, laying the groundwork for a tradition of excellence that endures this day.

The first grape vines for Tabor Hill were planted in 1967, and by 1971 the winery sold its first bottle. In 1980, Tabor Hill Winery invited biology teacher Rick Moersch to run wine lab analysis, and by 1982 he had become the winery’s head winemaker. In 1992, Rick started Heart of the Vineyard Winery (HVW), and in 1997 he purchased and relocated an Amish Round Barn from Indiana, rebuilding it with the Amish on the HVW property. In 2001, HVW Distillery launched its product line, now served at The Bourbon Barn at Round Barn Estate, and in 2004 HVW changed its name to Round Barn Winery & Estate.

In 2013, Round Barn Brewery and Public House opened in downtown Baroda, MI, and it was very much a sense of homecoming for founder Rick Moersch when, in 2017, the Moersch family and Moersch Hospitality Group acquired Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, along with an expansion of Entente Spirits, LLC Wholesale Division.

Since it was here in 1979 that he got his start in winemaking, making the jump from high school chemistry teacher to vintner. In 2020, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant celebrated 50 years, and with Matthew Moersch now at the helm, the legacy continues.

The new Executive Chef – Justin Carlisle passion for food took root on a small beef farm in rural Wisconsin, where he grew up up surrounded by the land. Since then, he’s built a career honoring local ingredients and earned national recognition for his modern take on Midwestern cuisine, including a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef in the Midwest. Justin’s deep respect regional agriculture paired with his fresh culinary vision makes him the perfect fit for the team at Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant.

That’s not all! The winemakers at Tabor Hill have been hard at work crafting two new limited edition wines that are available for a limited time. We got to taste the new releases, tour the winery making facility and vineyard, AND meet the wine makers.

Our time ended with a long table, family style dinner featuring elevated farm-to-table cuisine, modern midwestern influences, and thoughtfully curated seasonal tastings. My favorites would have to be the lake trout and the delicious squash. Perfect day in Michigan!

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
185 Mt. Tabor Rd, Buchanan Michigan 49107
Taborhill.com

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