St. Julian Sweet Revenge

St. Julian Sweet Revenge is a sweet red wine blend from Michigan's Lake Michigan Shore AVA, bottled at 11% ABV in a standard 750ml format. A Gold Award winner at both the Tasters Guild Competition and the Michigan Wine Competition, this expression is the top-selling wine from Michigan's oldest and most-awarded winery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Lake Michigan Shore AVA, Michigan  |  Style: Sweet Red Blend  |  Winery: St. Julian Winery

Production & Heritage

St. Julian Winery has operated for over 100 years, earning its place as Michigan's oldest, largest, and most-awarded winery. The grapes for Sweet Revenge are sourced from the winery's estate vineyard in Coloma and from more than 19 local growers, all located within a 40-mile radius of the winery's home base in Paw Paw, Michigan. This tight sourcing radius within the Lake Michigan Shore AVA ensures the fruit captures the moderating influence of Lake Michigan on the local growing climate, contributing to the wine's distinctly fresh, fruit-driven character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an immediate rush of fresh grape — almost reminiscent of just-pressed juice — followed by ripe cherries and mixed berries. There is a bright, inviting quality to the aromatics that sets the stage for the palate.

Taste: The entry is bold and unabashedly sweet, delivering juicy cherry and ripe berry flavors front and center. Mid-palate, the fruit intensity deepens with layered berry richness. Well-integrated acidity provides essential structure, keeping the sweetness lively rather than cloying and pulling the wine into a smooth, balanced mouthfeel.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length, with lingering notes of cherry and grape that fade cleanly. A gentle tannic grip and residual fruitiness leave the palate refreshed rather than heavy.

How to Drink Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge is best served chilled to around 55–60°F, which tightens its acidity and keeps the sweetness in check. It drinks well on its own as a casual sipper or poured over ice on a warm afternoon. For a simple wine spritzer, combine it with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime to amplify the fruit and lighten the body. In a red wine sangria, the bold cherry and berry notes hold up beautifully alongside sliced citrus, stone fruit, and a splash of brandy. It also works in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where its natural sweetness replaces the need for added sugar and the berry flavors play well against the cola's spice.

Best For

• Introducing a new wine drinker to Michigan-made reds
• Casual backyard gatherings and summer cookouts
• Pairing with a rich chocolate dessert course
• Gifting someone who favors fruit-forward, sweeter wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sweet Revenge taste like? Sweet Revenge delivers bold cherry and ripe berry flavors with a fresh, grapey sweetness balanced by enough acidity to keep it smooth and lively on the palate.

How does Sweet Revenge compare to Stella Rosa Rosso? Both are popular sweet red wines, but Sweet Revenge is made entirely from Michigan-grown grapes in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, while Stella Rosa Rosso is an Italian semi-sweet blend. Sweet Revenge tends to lean into bolder, juicier fruit with a slightly higher ABV at 11%, giving it a fuller-bodied feel compared to Stella Rosa Rosso's lighter, more effervescent style.

Is Sweet Revenge good for beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, juicy fruit flavors, and moderate 11% ABV make it an excellent starting point for anyone exploring red wine for the first time.

Where is Sweet Revenge made? Sweet Revenge is produced by St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, Michigan, within the Lake Michigan Shore American Viticultural Area. The grapes are sourced from the winery's estate vineyard in Coloma and from over 19 local growers within a 40-mile radius.

What foods pair well with Sweet Revenge? Try it with sharp blue cheese, where the wine's sweetness counterbalances the salt and funk. It pairs well with barbecue ribs, as the fruit and acidity cut through smoky, fatty flavors. Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cherry notes. Spicy Thai or Korean dishes benefit from the residual sugar tempering the heat. Fresh berry tarts echo the wine's dominant fruit profile.

What sizes does Sweet Revenge come in? Sweet Revenge is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Sweet Revenge worth the price? Sweet Revenge sits firmly in the value tier of sweet red wines, making it an accessible everyday pour that consistently overdelivers given its Gold Award pedigree and Michigan-sourced fruit quality.

Why Sweet Revenge?

As the top-selling wine from Michigan's oldest and most-awarded winery, Sweet Revenge has earned its following through substance, not novelty. Gold medals at the Tasters Guild Competition and Michigan Wine Competition, along with Silver awards at the 2017 and 2019 Indy International Wine Competition, confirm that the wine performs at a level well above its price tier. The tight 40-mile sourcing radius ensures a genuine sense of place — this is a wine rooted in the Lake Michigan Shore growing region, not assembled from anonymous bulk fruit. For anyone seeking a sweet red that delivers real flavor intensity with Michigan provenance and award-winning credibility, Sweet Revenge stands as one of the strongest values in its category.