Tip of the Mitt is an AVA covering the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, which is often said to resemble a mitten. The region was confirmed as an official appellation in August 2016, but has been producing wine long enough that there are already around 38 hectares (94 acres) of vineyards planted in the area. Tip of the Mitt is best known for its hybrid grape varieties, including Frontenac, Marquette and La Crescent.
The AVA is bounded on three sides by water – the shorelines of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan lie to the east and west respectively, and the Straits of Mackinac are to the north. This, along with the prevailing westerly winds, provides a climate that is fairly moderate despite Michigan's continental location. The thermal mass of the Great Lakes tends to hold the summer's warmth for longer, and the winds bring warm air from over Lake Michigan into the vineyards, giving the grapes enough time to fully ripen during the fairly short growing season.
Tip of the Mitt's glacial soils also contributed to the establishment of the AVA to distinguish the area from the land to the south. This soil has more organic matter in it than the soils south of the AVA's boundaries, meaning the vines are able to thrive without nutrients being added to the soil. These soils also tend to hold water, which isn't neccessarily ideal for winegrowing, but in this more challenging climate means the soils stay cool enough to delay budburst until after the damaging spring frosts.
There are currently eight producers making wines inside the Tip of the Mitt AVA, but several more are planned.
