Crane’s Pie Pantry, Restaurant & Winery, Fennville MI

The visit to Crane’s Pie, Pantry, Restaurant, and Winery with friends did not begin with a discussion of a wine tasting, but instead a “pie flight”! Yes, a sample of four of their pies.

The Crane family purchased the farm in 1916 and in 1967 started promoting Crane Orchards with fruit baskets and then producing cider. It didn’t take long for this to turn into preparing food for customers, leading to what is now the full-menu restaurant and bakery.

As you arrive, the large patio leads you into the hallway, where I can visualize a large line of waiting patrons on those busy days.

From there you are welcomed into the shop and restaurant. In the shop you can purchase all of Crane’s wares, such as: pies (full or by the slice), strudel, donuts, and other pastries, fresh fruit, candy, cider, wine, and souvenirs.

The restaurant area houses the winery’s tasting bar. Although the winery first started in 2014, they have a history of award winning wines. Like many wineries in this region their fruit is all locally grown and produced.

During this visit, my wine tasting included the following selections (*purchased):

• 2021 Chardonnay
• 2021 Pinot Gris
• Montage* – Bordeaux style blend consisting of 43.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc, and 18.5% Merlot. Aged two years in a combination of American and Hungarian oak barrels.
• Cherry Wine

There are many more wines to choose from, but don’t overlook the cider. Crane’s Farm started pressing cider decades ago. In 1972 along with the restaurant, they started serving cider for 10 cents a glass and did so for 40 years. With the launch of the winery they added production of hard ciders along with the wine.

When you first pull in the driveway, you are are launched into the farming environment from the antique truck , to the main building and surrounding orchards. Throughout the shop and restaurant you find many antiques and World War II and other historic memorabilia on display.

The restaurant has a large menu, serving breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and open for full menu at 11am the rest of the week. They have a nice selection of appetizers and sandwiches, along with soups and salad. Oh, and don’t forget the pie! Here you can try the Pie Flight (up to four) and can also order a tasting of four wines or cider.

My visit was part of a group of eight people for lunch. Several of us tried the Famous Sloppy Joe sandwich, which is the original that has been served since 1972. It did not disappoint. True comfort food.

There’s something to be said for a family-owned business that builds off its long history of tradition to evolve into this thriving enterprise. It also helps when its all in such a beautiful location.

Crane’s Pie, Pantry, Restaurant, and Winery, 6054 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408