History
In 1921 at age 26, Mariano Meconi founded Border City Wine Cellars, quickly changing the name to the Meconi Wine Company. Following the repeal of Prohibition in December of 1933, Mariano moved his flourishing wine making enterprise across the river to Detroit in 1934. 1936 was the year Meconi moved the family to its present location in Paw Paw, in order to be closer to the acclaimed Lake Michigan Shore grape-growing region. With the move came a new name, The Italian Wine Company. In 1941, during World War II, Meconi strategically countered rising antifascist sentiment in the United States by switching the name of the company once again, from The Italian Wine Company, to St. Julian Winery. In the last name change of the company, Mariano Meconi humbly paid homage to the patron saint of his native village, Faleria, Italy. All Italian villages have patron saints and San Giuliano, nee St. Julian, stands as the saint that protects the village and the citizens of Faleria.
Specialties
Our wines are made exclusively from grapes grown in the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation - one of the most fertile growing regions in the nation - which not only sets us apart from other wineries in the state, but has been instrumental in making us Michigan's most-awarded winery. Our wide selection of award-winning wines ranges from internationally recognized dry wines to award-winning sweet wines, and everything in between. We are also proud to offer craft distilled spirits, and ciders.