The Tasting Rooms at Black Star Farms in Northwest Michigan took the top honors for Newsweek's Readers’ Choice Best Tasting Room 2026, beating out esteemed nominees from renowned California, Oregon, and Washington wine regions, proving wine enthusiasts do not need to travel west to have a five-star wine country experience.
This distinction reflects the trust and enthusiasm of visitors and Newsweek readers nationwide and underscores the remarkable quality and experience Black Star Farms delivers not just with phenomenal wine, but through hospitality.
The Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the products, places, and companies that inspire loyalty—spotlighting organizations that consistently exceed expectations and create lasting impressions. Over a four-week voting period, Newsweek readers and industry experts weighed in, honoring those who exemplify excellence in value and experience.
“This is an incredible honor to be recognized not only for our wines but for the experience our impassioned team delivers,” said Lee Lutes, Managing Member for the Winery at Black Star Farms. “To even be nominated alongside wineries from other popular wine destinations
proves what we already know: that we are creating something special here in Northwest Michigan. To take the #1 spot validates the 27+ years of our hard work and dedication creating a world-class wine destination that can rival those around the world.”
As a fully estate-based producer, Black Star Farms remains at the forefront of the region’s sustainable wine movement, offering wines that resonate with a new generation of consumers seeking transparency, quality, and local sourcing. In addition to our tasting room, our Estate & Wine Tours, Wine & Workshop Series, and Food & Wine Events offer guests many different ways to experience our award-winning wines.
To learn more about Black Star Farms, visit www.blackstarfarms.com
