Our Story

Family-Owned and Operated since 2004

Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery began in 2004 in Manistique, Michigan, as the realization of Ralph and Laurie Stabile’s dream to share their Sicilian winemaking heritage. Ralph’s passion was ignited at age five, pressing grapes with his grandfather, a Sicilian immigrant who crafted wine for family gatherings. This deep-rooted tradition laid the foundation for what would become one of Michigan’s most celebrated wineries.

In 2007, their son Dustin joined the family business, bringing academic training in viticulture and enology from Michigan State University, where he studied under renowned Professor Stan Howell. After gaining experience at Spartan Cellars and other wineries, Dustin took over production in 2008, allowing Ralph to expand the business into Mackinaw City and later Petoskey. Under Dustin’s guidance, the winery has embraced innovative techniques while honoring its traditional roots.

By 2014, Mackinaw Trail had outgrown its original facility and established a state-of-the-art winery and brewery on 30 acres of rolling hills in Petoskey, within the Tip of the Mitt American Viticultural Area (AVA). Fifteen acres are dedicated to cold-hardy varietals like Marquette, La Crescent, and Frontenac Gris, which thrive in Northern Michigan’s climate. The winery has garnered over 500 medals and six Best of Class awards, reflecting its commitment to quality and innovation. Beyond winemaking, the Stabile family actively supports local agriculture and nonprofit organizations, hosting events like the annual Wine Run 5K, which benefits Feeding America and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. With four tasting rooms across Michigan and a growing community of loyal patrons, Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery continues to be a beacon in the state’s wine industry

Meet The Stabile Family

Dustin Stable

Head of Production
ds******@***********il.net

Hometown
Iron Mountain, Michigan

Interests/Hobbies
Hunting, Fishing, Trapping

Favorite Mackinaw Trail Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon

Favorite Sports Team
Green Bay Packers, MSU Spartans

Favorite Toy Growing Up
BB Gun

Favorite Season of the Year
Winter (anything below -5F)

Dustin grew up in a Sicilian household making wine with his father Raffaele at an early age. He remembers as a child, his father paying him one dollar per bag of dandelion heads for making wine. As Dustin grew older he started experimenting with his father making wine out of anything they could get their hands on.

Initially Dustin entered Michigan State University for criminal justice. When coming out of a chemistry class he saw on a bulletin board a job opening at Spartan Cellars. After getting the job, Dustin found out that there was a program for enology and viticulture, which intrigued him because of his family heritage. He soon after switched all of his classes. In the program, Dustin was able to study under renowned Professor Stan Howell. When completed with his studies, his first winemaking job was as an assistant winemaker at Uncle John’s Fruit house winery in St. John’s, Michigan. After a year working under Mike Beck, he then took a job at a winery in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Dustin’s true passion led him back into making Michigan grown grape wines and working in the family winery. In the fall of 2007 he started working with his father making the wine for Mackinaw Trail. By the fall of 2008 he took over the winery production to allow his father more time to expand the business into Mackinaw City and then into Petoskey. In recent years the winery has taken numerous gold medals and has focused more on different blends of wines to really express what Michigan grapes have to offer! Dustin continues to expand his knowledge and share his techniques in educating his staff.