St. Julian Holidaze

St. Julian Holidaze is a seasonal sweet red wine blend in a 750ml bottle, produced by Michigan's longest-operating winery from Lake Michigan Shore fruit. Built around concord grape with cherry and strawberry character, this holiday-themed release has developed a loyal following among fans of fruit-forward, approachable reds.

Quick Facts: Style: Sweet Red Blend  |  Origin: Lake Michigan Shore, Michigan  |  Grape: Concord-based blend  |  Winery: St. Julian Winery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

St. Julian Winery was founded in 1921 by Italian immigrant Mariano Meconi and has operated continuously since, making it the oldest and longest-running winery in Michigan. Now headquartered in Paw Paw, Michigan, within the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, the winery produces a wide portfolio spanning dry wines, sweet wines, and craft spirits. Holidaze is a seasonal sweet red blend anchored by concord grape, a variety with deep roots in Great Lakes winemaking. The wine leans into the confectionary qualities of concord — grape jelly richness, bright berry fruit — rather than trying to mask them, which gives it an unambiguous identity as a dessert-style or casual-sipping red.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich grape jam leads the nose, followed by ripe cherry and a hint of strawberry preserves. There is a candy-like sweetness in the aromatics that signals the wine's fruit-forward style immediately.

Taste: The entry is plush and sweet, with concord jelly dominating the opening impression. Mid-palate, cherry and strawberry flavors emerge, adding layers of bright berry fruit. A vein of crisp acidity cuts through the residual sugar, preventing it from becoming cloying.

Finish: Refreshingly tart on the close, with lingering notes of grape and red berries. The finish is moderate in length with a clean, fruity echo.

How to Drink Holidaze

Serve Holidaze well chilled — around 45–50°F — to let the acidity shine and keep the sweetness balanced. It works on its own as a casual pour or alongside food. For a festive spritzer, top a half-pour with sparkling water and a squeeze of citrus. It also pairs surprisingly well in a red wine sangria, where its bold grape and berry fruit hold up to sliced apples, oranges, and cinnamon. A mulled wine preparation suits the holiday theme — warm it gently with cloves, star anise, and orange peel for a seasonal crowd-pleaser.

Best For

• Holiday gatherings where guests prefer sweeter, fruit-driven wines
• Gifting to friends and family who enjoy concord grape flavors
• Casual dinner parties with comfort-food menus
• Introducing non-wine-drinkers to wine through an approachable, familiar flavor profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Holidaze taste like? Holidaze tastes like ripe concord grape jelly with bright cherry and strawberry fruit, backed by enough acidity to keep the sweetness in check. It is unabashedly sweet and fruit-forward, with a refreshingly tart finish.

How does Holidaze compare to Apothic Red? Apothic Red is a California blend built on zinfandel and merlot with dark fruit and vanilla oak notes, while Holidaze is a concord-based Michigan blend with a jammier, grape-candy sweetness. Holidaze is noticeably sweeter and fruitier, while Apothic leans more toward spice and dark berry with moderate residual sugar.

Is Holidaze good for beginners? Yes — its familiar concord grape flavor and generous sweetness make it one of the most approachable red wines available, especially for those who find dry reds too tannic or austere.

Where is Holidaze made? Holidaze is produced by St. Julian Winery & Distillery in Paw Paw, Michigan, within the Lake Michigan Shore American Viticultural Area. St. Julian has been operating since 1921, making it Michigan's oldest continuously running winery.

What foods pair well with Holidaze? Pizza works well, as the wine's sweetness complements tomato sauce and melted cheese. Prime rib benefits from the berry fruit cutting through rich, fatty meat. Holiday stuffing and cranberry dishes echo the wine's fruit-forward character. Sharp cheddar provides a salty-sweet contrast, and chocolate desserts amplify the grape-jam richness.

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

Is Holidaze worth the price? Holidaze positions as an entry-level, everyday sweet red, and its price reflects that accessibility. For fans of concord-style wines, it delivers honest fruit character from a heritage Michigan winery at a value-friendly tier.

Why Holidaze?

What separates Holidaze from generic sweet reds is its unapologetic commitment to concord grape — a flavor profile deeply rooted in Great Lakes winemaking tradition, not a trend-chasing blend. It comes from St. Julian, a winery with over a century of continuous production in Michigan, lending genuine regional credibility. The crisp acidity threading through the sweetness shows deliberate winemaking rather than simple sugar-loading. For anyone who wants a festive, fruit-rich red without pretension, Holidaze fills that role with clarity and consistency.