ABOUT US
David and Jessica Youngblood have spent nearly two decades living in some of the most beautiful wine country in the United States...
-- including Washington, California, and Virginia. In 2015, they returned to their family farm in Ray, MI with aspirations to plant a vineyard. Since 1945, the farm has been home to five generations of farmers in Dave's family, so putting down "roots" on the old homestead has always been the couple's dream. The vineyard is now home to 25 acres of wine grapes.
In 2016, Dave and Jess Youngblood traded their fields of soybeans, corn, and Christmas trees for the exciting world of wine grapes. The couple's dream of creating a vineyard became a reality, and today, Youngblood Vineyard is home to nearly 23,000 cold-hardy wine grape vines. Since opening, it has been recognized as the "Best Michigan Winery" multiple times by Hour Detroit Magazine.
Located in the heart of Metro Detroit, our 25-acre estate produces 100% estate-grown wine. Open year-round, Youngblood Vineyard offers a cozy indoor tasting room, seasonal outdoor seating, wine tasting and a full restaurant with stunning views of the expansive vineyard. Enjoy a glass of wine as you take in the beauty of 26.2 miles of vines, visit the FREE baby animal petting farm, or indulge in a delicious meal from the restaurant. Youngblood Vineyard is a family-friendly venue with something fun for guests of all ages.
For those looking to celebrate in style, we offer private event bookings and beautiful wine country weddings. Contact us for more information.
Promoting Grape Research
As the Vineyard Manager at Youngblood Vineyard, Jessica Youngblood has played a hands-on role in every aspect of grape-growing and wine making. But her commitment to the grape and wine industry extends far beyond the vineyard.
In 2022, Jessica was appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. She has also served as Board Chair for the National Grape Research Alliance and volunteered for two terms as a board member of the Michigan Wine Collaborative, where she was also the Chair of the Cold Climate Grape Committee.
Jessica continues to follow her passion for advocating the development and research of the most remarkable fruit — the grape — helping to shape the future of Michigan’s thriving wine industry.
The Youngblood Family: A Vineyard Built on Teamwork
The Youngblood family is made up of Dave and Jess, and their three children: Georgia, Gracie, and Wyatt.
Georgia is currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where she is also a pitcher on the women’s Softball Team. Meanwhile, Gracie, a freshman, runs Cross Country and Track at Saginaw Valley State University, and Wyatt is a junior at Romeo High School. Despite their busy schedules, all three kids are an integral part of the vineyard, working alongside their parents in this family business.
With an endless list of tasks to complete, the kids are true “farm kids” who have quickly become skilled in nearly every aspect of vineyard life. From planting and trellis construction to mowing, pruning, and testing the sugar and acid of ripening fruit — they do it all. They’re also hands-on during harvest, help out on the bottling line, and are fantastic assistant winemakers.
It’s a true family affair at Youngblood Vineyard, where teamwork and passion for the craft are at the heart of everything they do.