Meet the Winemakers
Mahan Winery
Who We Are
In a world where many successful wine brands are owned by corporations, Mahan Family Wines is proudly independent. Founded in 2016 by Phil Mahan, a fourth-generation agriculturalist, and his wife Ann, the winery is rooted in family, the land, and a hands-on approach to winemaking. Every bottle reflects our commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and sharing great wine with great people.
About the Winemaker
Phil Mahan believes the purest form of creativity comes from childlike curiosity—free from rules, expectations, and limitations. While his wines have quietly earned the admiration of wine lovers, Phil is most captivated by what comes next: an ongoing exploration of depth, nuance, and discovery.
Surrounded by artisans and wine enthusiasts throughout his life, Phil developed an early appreciation for creativity in all its forms. Raised in a wine-enthusiasts’ home, he was immersed in textures, flavors, aromas, and colors from a young age, learning to experience the world through his senses. Only later did he realize these early impressions would become the foundation of his craft, shaping the way he approaches winemaking today.
For Phil, the vineyard is a creative playground and wine is an invitation—not just to taste, but to linger. His winemaking is thoughtful and expressive, designed as an experience that encourages people to slow down, engage their senses, and discover something unexpected…much like stepping through a certain secret door.
The Winemaker’s Wife
Ann Mahan is a lifelong wine enthusiast who has been hands-on in every part of the winemaking journey alongside Phil—from planting and tending the vines to harvesting and crushing the fruit. Her deep appreciation for wine is matched by a love of the moments it creates: connection, conversation, and shared joy.
During a driving trip through Austrian wine country, Ann and Phil began dreaming of a future that would bring the spirit of wine travel home to Harbor Country, Michigan. A place rooted in the land and rich in relationships. A place where the earth is nurtured, friendships are formed, and time slows down over a bottle of wine and deep belly laughs.
Granite Ridge Vineyard
Nestled just seven miles from Lake Michigan, Granite Ridge Vineyard sits in the heart of the Lake Shore Michigan AVA, where cooling coastal breezes and morning fog create ideal conditions for crafting exceptional wines. This unique lakeside influence allows for long, balanced growing seasons that build complexity, freshness, and character in the fruit.
Our vineyards are dry-farmed whenever possible and deficit-irrigated when needed, encouraging vines to dig deep and express a true sense of place. Committed to sustainable farming, we incorporate biodynamic principles that nurture both the land and the vines. Every vine is hand-tended multiple times throughout the season—an intentional, artisanal approach that reflects our respect for the vineyard and the wine it produces.
We credit ancient glaciers for creating the ideal grape-growing conditions found in southwest Michigan—conditions strikingly similar to those of France’s Burgundy and Bordeaux regions. Over thousands of years, glacial movement shaped soils that balance drainage, mineral richness, and structure, allowing vines to thrive while expressing nuance and place.