With the emergence of microbreweries and craft beer in West Michigan, proper attention to our wineries and extensive orchards and vineyards has fallen by the wayside. However, celebrating 100 years of business in 2011, Robinette’s, which is located at 3142 4 Mile Rd. NE in Grand Rapids, has maintained their strong presence in the area. While their hours vary in the winter versus the fall and summer, Robinette’s is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm in the Apple Haus and 10am to 5pm in the Winery.
The Robinette family purchased the farm where the Apple Haus and Winery are currently located back in 1911. The entire family loaded fruits in their wagon to sell at the Grand Rapids Market on a regular basis as a means of providing for their family, as well as to the community as a whole. In 1973, the family opened the Apple Haus in order to cater to consumer demand of their services. Since then, the family has continued to run the farm and expand Robinette’s into what currently stands today. Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery provides a number of different products and services to the community from both a business and entertainment standpoint. Different features on the Robinette’s farm include an Apple Haus, winery, gift shop, corn maze, hayrides, mountain bike trail, bakery, lunch counter and seating area, cider mill, hiking, and much more.
A large, yet slightly less known, part of Robinette’s is their winery and wine offerings. In fact, the winery offers a wine tastingthat features Michigan wines and cider. Included in this tasting is a souvenir wine glass and tasting sampler which incorporates a taste of six different wines for $3 per person. Additionally, individuals can bring their glass back the next time they visit to receive these tastings complimentary. Currently, Robinette’s features 18 different Michigan-made wines, as well as hard ciders and non-alcoholic raspberry juice for the kids. A few of the newest featured types of wine at Robinette’s are: Apple Wine, Peach Spumante, Riesling, and Cranberry. (Prices for the wine at Robinette’s range from $10.50 to $20.00).
An additional perk to the vast amount Robinette’s offers already, is their website which features an online store where most of the products featured on the farm can be purchased. Within the online store, individuals can place orders for all sorts of apples from the Robinette’s orchard. In addition, gift baskets are available that feature a number of Michigan-made products, as well as Robinette’s wine, cider, and apples. Some baskets feature goods such as Michigan maple syrup, caramel corn, dried red tart cherries, cherry salsa, fudge, and Michigan maple granola.
Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery is a great locale for families and anyone else to enjoy the different seasons Michigan offers to us. For an idea of Robinette’s featured services in the fall, look at the Awesome Mitten’s Cider and Corn Maze Guide. Visit the Winery at Robinette’s and taste the delicious product of Michigan fruits and berries. ~Kristin M. Coppens, Regional Director