Courtesy photo Brook Burrone stands behind the bar at the new Burrone Family Vineyards and Winery in Lachine. The winery is on the vineyard, which Burrone said gives customers a different perspective than many other breweries.

LACHINE — The Burrone family, which has operated a vineyard that provided grapes to wineries around Michigan for years, has expanded its business to include its own winery.

The business, called the Burrone Family Vineyards and Winery, is located in Lachine and opened around Memorial Day.

Brook Burrone said the family business started in 1997 when a small number of vines were planted. Over the years, she said, the vineyard has grown to about 10 acres and, during that time, one of the goals was to use the harvest to produce wine.

“It really started out as a hobby and has grown into all of this,” Burrone said. “My dad had a dream to open a winery and to one day leave it for the kids. It is special, because, now, we all work together.”

Brook Burrone said she has a degree in viticulture, the study of grape growing, and enology, which is wine-making.

She said people can expect a little different experience than other nearby wineries when they visit.

“We don’t have any wineries that are actually on the vineyard, and we wanted people to see the process as well as taste the great wine and have a good time,” she said. “Since we opened, business has been very good and we have received so many positive reactions.”

Currently, the winery is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2 to 8 p.m. It also operates Fridays through Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. Off-season hours may vary, Burrone said.

Craft beer and wine businesses are popular places to sample a homemade beverage for locals and tourists. They have slowly been popping up in Northeast Michigan over the last handful of years.

Burrone said she has seen many familiar faces who have dropped in for a drink, but she has also met many new people who are visiting the area or making their way through it.

“I think the craft beer and wine industry will definitely help tourism,” she said. “People travel from all over to visit these places. The more Alpena and the surrounding area have, the more people it will attract.”

Looking into the future, Burrone said, the winery may offer charcuterie boards with snacks for guests and more drink options, too.

“We are considering wine cocktails,” she said.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.