About - Craft Beer | Local Wine

Founded in 2007, the Fenton Winery & Brewery is an award winning and innovative microbrewery and Winery located on the north end of Fenton, MI. There is a public taproom, a sprawling 1.25 acre park-like Wine and Beer Garden, a full service wedding and banquet venue and a retail store for carry-out. Fenton Winery & Brewery strives to strike a balance, brewing both wine and beer with equal intensity.

The Owners

Matt and Ginny Sherrow, both born and raised in Waterford, Michigan, have lived in the Fenton area for more than 16 years, and have truly enjoyed becoming a part of the Fenton business community. Matt and Ginny have two sons, Joshua and Kyle.

Matt is an automotive engineer turned wine maker/brewer. A Kettering University alum with a ME degree, Matt is now primarily in charge of all production operations at the FWB. He initially fell in love with the idea of entrepreneurship while earning an MBA at DePaul University in Chicago. The original plan after DePaul was to work up the corporate ladder to eventually manage a manufacturing plant; however, Marketing and Entrepreneurship classes at DePaul changed everything – the idea of starting a small business had been born.

Ginny’s passion is finance. A proud Clemson University graduate with a degree in Finance and investments, she is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). And so she oversees all finance matters as well as the sales side of the business – the marketing, the staff, the atmosphere, etc. She strives to make sure the guests’ experience is always just right.

Creating Fenton Winery & Brewery was the perfect opportunity to combine a shared love of wine and beer with the desire to start and grow a small business.

Meet our Crew

MATT SHERROW, FOUNDER/OWNER

GINNY SHERROW, FOUNDER/OWNER

HANS #BrewDogHans

CHRIS KOSKINEN, HEAD CHEF

DAN KIRBY, SALES & OPS DIRECTOR

OLIVER HACKNEY, OPS MANAGER, CICERONE CERTIFIED

JOE SIRL, EXPERIENCE CAPTAIN

NICK LEPPECK, KITCHEN TEAM MEMBER

CINDY KOERBER, TAPROOM MANAGER ON DUTY

RACHEL ROBERTS, TAPROOM SHIFT LEADER

ALLI DRISKELL, TAPROOM TEAM MEMBER

A little History

The Sherrow’s passion for the crafts began long before the business. All their travels as a couple seemed to land them either at a winery or brewery, helping them develop their knowledge base of the industry and its delicious products. With the determination to open a business around something they loved, they put ideas to plan, and using personal financing, they opened the Fenton Winery in 2007 in a strip mall on North Leroy St. in Fenton.

Begun at the early stages of the Recession, the business struggled at first, but the owners stayed committed to their dream. They continued to build upon their business plan; seeing an opportunity with the growing craft beer market in Michigan, Matt and Ginny became the Fenton Winery & Brewery by adding a 1/2bbl (15 gallon) system in 2009, a natural fit for the couple who enjoy beer as much as wine.

Through the years, the commitment to garnering a family of team members has been a priority. What started as 2 people has now grown to a dedicated and passionate team of over 30. Each and every team member has been important to the growth and evolution of the company. In addition, focusing on a great relationship with the local community has allowed for continuous growth; patrons become friends and fellow business owners became partners in growing together locally. As time went on, the business expanded at its original location by tripling its footprint in the strip mall, developing a solid line-up of wine and beer, adding great staff, investing in tanks and equipment, holding fun events, and offering small party space.

After 5 years in the strip mall, Matt and Ginny wanted to have their own building, and in 2012, a vacant Fenton Township property was purchased to be outfitted for its winery and brewery operations. Previously a wood working company, the 5 acre property was home to two abandoned buildings. It took several years to renovate and repurpose the property and buildings. A new 7bbl microbrewery system was installed in 2013 to successfully move all beer production with scaled up recipes of many favorites including Staggering Bull Imperial Nut Brown Ale, Eminent Double IPA and Swingin’ Berries. In June 2014, the strip mall location was closed and total operations moved to 1370 N. Long Lake Road. The new public taproom was opened providing an “in-brewery” feel. The open-air brewery provides for outdoor seating and direct access to a wine & beer garden (over an acre!). The front, landmark building, still needed work in order to host banquets and weddings. At the end of 2015, the 280 person facility was finally complete and this all cedar building now provides the perfect backdrop for ceremonies and receptions throughout the year.