Against the Odds

Our Story

At the edge of what’s possible for winemaking, Aurora Cellars crafts wine that reflects the resilient spirit of Leelanau.  Grown in compact clay and ripened by Lake Michigan’s rare light, our grapes endure long winters and late harvests  — and emerge full of life.

We choose to grow our own fruit in northern soil rather than import what’s easy. We choose minimal intervention over shortcuts and additives. And we choose to stay small and independent — because it keeps us close to our craft, family, and customers, instead of chasing scale and corporate interests.

Over the years, we’ve come to see that beauty reveals itself slowly — through patience, stillness, and care. This belief shapes not only how we make wine, but how we host, and celebrate: long tables, warm hospitality, and shared bottles.

Great wine is about balance — the stillness and action, the warmth and the frost. It takes careful timing, and the resilience to thrive in harder seasons. But in winemaking, as in life, it’s the contrasts that deepen the flavor.

Shop Wine

“The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it”
— Walter Scott, Scottish novelist, poet, and historian.

Led by Head Winemaker Drew Perry, our cellar crew is equal parts science nerd and sensory explorer. With deep roots in Michigan wine and a curiosity that never stops fermenting, this team doesn’t just make wine — they study it, talk about it, and obsess over how to make it better, year after year.

Want to learn about how how and why climate, soil, and hard work come together to make delicious wine? Explore our Wine 101 Blog.

Learn More

About