How a major environmental milestone reflects our commitment to the land, the lake, and the future of Leelanau Peninsula wine
Blustone Vineyards is proud to share an important milestone. Blustone Estate Vineyard is now a MAEAP Environmentally Verified vineyard through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.
This recognition reflects our commitment to responsible farming. It also highlights our ongoing work to protect the land, water, and natural resources that shape our wines.
Most importantly, this milestone was spearheaded by our Vineyard Manager, John Molenhouse. His leadership helped guide Blustone through the MAEAP verification process.
What does MAEAP Environmentally Verified mean?
MAEAP stands for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. It is a voluntary program for Michigan farms.
The program helps farms reduce environmental risks. It also supports practices that protect soil, water, and other natural resources.
To become MAEAP Environmentally Verified, a farm must complete several steps. These include education, assessment, planning, implementation, and verification.
As a result, the verification shows that a farm is taking measurable steps to care for the environment.
Why this matters for our Estate Vineyard
Blustone Estate Vineyard is located in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula wine region. This area is known for rolling hills, glacial soils, and the cooling influence of Lake Michigan.
These natural features help shape our wines. However, they also come with responsibility.
Because we farm in such a special place, we believe stewardship matters. Soil health, water quality, erosion control, and long-term vineyard care all play an important role.
MAEAP verification recognizes that commitment. It confirms that Blustone Estate Vineyard is taking meaningful steps to farm responsibly.
Led by Vineyard Manager John Molenhouse
This achievement was led by John Molenhouse, our vineyard manager.
John guided the vineyard through the MAEAP process. He reviewed current practices, identified opportunities for improvement, and helped ensure that Blustone met the program’s standards.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes. For example, it includes decisions about soil care, water management, erosion control, and vineyard planning.
Healthy vines begin with a healthy vineyard. When soil is protected, water is respected, and farming decisions are made with the future in mind, the vineyard is better positioned to produce fruit with balance, character, and a true sense of place.
That sense of place is at the heart of Blustone wines. From our estate-grown whites and rosés to our reds and reserve wines, our goal is to create wines that reflect the landscape of the Leelanau Peninsula and the care behind each vintage.
A milestone for today — and for the future
At Blustone, environmental stewardship and wine quality go hand in hand.
We are proud to be part of a program that recognizes environmental stewardship in Michigan agriculture, and we are especially proud of the leadership John Molenhouse brought to this process.
The next time you visit Blustone or order a few bottles for your cellar, raise a glass to the vineyard — and to the people working every day to care for it.
Because great wine starts in the ground. And the future of great wine depends on how we care for that ground today.
