Hidden Arbor Farm

05/06/2026

2025 harvest
In case I neglected to tell you, we did not have a 2024 harvest. The grapes fell prey to fungicide and rot. It was a bummer.
In 2022 we had planted a few new varieties and replaced those that succumbed to frost and other harms. After 4 years of giving it a chance, we removed all 300 Rkatsiteli vines; they did not like it in our terroir.
Now our roster includes the old vines that we planted in 2019 and augmented over the years: Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Franc, and the new guard that had to just grow for three years before we could harvest it: Müller-Thurgau, Floretai, Regent, and a few Dornfelder vines.

Feel free to ask questions, here or in the group.

05/06/2026

Progress on the winery
Instead of operating in an 80 sq/ft shed we finally have a real 1200 sq feet wine making facility and it feels luxurious though I am still wondering where to keep the bottled wine. All those land use permits, building permits and inspections, electrical permits and inspections, Plumbing and HVAC permits and inspections. Oh my. And then, late in November it got cold and we realized that our water pump plant needed to have a shed built around it to protect the pump from freezing. It was not fun. I will say that the decision to add a covered porch that offered shelter from the elements when crushing made a lot of difference.

We had to seal the concrete and wood to pass inspection and I will take some new photos later this month. These were taken last November.

The good news is that once we put in the waste water tank in late October, we passed the EGLE inspection and with that in hand and all the sanitary requirements (five hot water sinks! etc.) installed, we now have an MDARD license. 😇

I was re-finger-printed last week and the paperwork for Small Wine Maker License is on its way to the state, so onward for forward...

Ask questions and comment here or in the group

05/06/2026

09/30/2025

awaiting completion and tank installation

09/26/2025

Barn is almost done!!! Still need insulated garage doors and faucets and bathroom fixtures to get occupancy permit.

Plan A:
We plan to harvest the whites Saturday - October 4th.
Harvest reds Saturday October 18th.
P:lan B:
Push everything one week out.

Volunteers will be fed and get bottles of 2023 wines.
The weather will be good this coming weekend!
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/mi/beulah

Send a message to learn more

08/27/2025

The grapes are ripening

08/27/2025

The floor is sealed. and the septic tank is in

08/27/2025

DIY!

08/27/2025

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/hhs-kennedy-rfk-jr-could-blow-up-vaccine-industry-one-simple-move-liability-shield?publication_id=87281&post_id=172032787&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=9kpwz&triedRedirect=true

A seemingly obscure change to liability laws could wreck the market for some vaccines.

08/25/2025

Three walls have exterior skin. The concrete floor is prepped. Monday & Tuesday they will pour 0.25" thick protective polyeurethane. Once the floor dries (estimated 48+ hours) we'll get on withe the interior, electrical, hvac and plumbing. We're cutting it close. Cross your fingers!😅

06/23/2025

Progress:
The county building inspector inspected the footings three weeks ago, and the county plumbing inspector inspected the plumbing about a week and a half ago and it was all good. Then we had rain. And today, the builders put down a v***r barrier and 2" insulation on top of it. Concrete will be poured tomorrow!