Cider mill serves up winery

 The operators of a popular Livingston County cider mill are one step closer to obtaining a liquor license.

The Hartland Township Board of Trustees has recommended the state grant the license to Spicer Orchards, which hopes to start producing wine and offering tasting at the Clyde Road business as soon as this summer.

"We're going to produce our own hard ciders and fruit wines, mainly," manager Will Cartwright said. "It kind of allows us to market our fruit in another way."

This isn't the first time Spicer has floated the idea of a winery. Last February, Alan Spicer told the Daily Press & Argus of his plans to add a winery to the site in an attempt to offer adults something special. The cider mill and orchard are known as family-friendly destinations with farm animals, a corn maze and other kids' activities.

However, Cartwright noted there was a hiccup with the state in that it wanted a formal document from the township showing support for the project.

"We have a lot of the paperwork already," Cartwright said. "You just have to jump through all the hoops."

It wasn't difficult getting the township to sign on to Spicer's project — the township board unanimously supported it at a recent meeting.

"I think it's a benefit to our community," Township Supervisor Bill Fountain said. "It's agricultural-based, and anytime you can keep the money local and it benefits a local family, it's exciting."

Clerk Ann Ulrich said the winery will "put Hartland on the map."

It still could be six months before that happens, Cartwright noted, adding the state still needs to make a final ruling on his liquor license request.

Spicer Orchards has been a fixture in the township since 1967. It had previously been located near Detroit then Brighton, Linden and, finally, Hartland Township.