How St. Julian Found Its Home in Paw Paw
St. Julian began in Ontario in 1921 and settled in Paw Paw in 1936; nearby Warner gives the village a second long-running winery.
St. Julian’s story did not begin in Paw Paw. Mariano Meconi, an Italian immigrant, started Border City Winery in Ontario in 1921. The company moved to Detroit in 1934, then to Paw Paw in 1936. It adopted the St. Julian name in 1941.
The company describes itself as Michigan’s oldest winery. Nearby Warner Vineyards describes itself as the state’s second oldest. Those are the wineries’ own rankings, but their histories make the larger point clear: wine has been part of Paw Paw’s identity for generations. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission says St. Julian has held a state license since 1938.
St. Julian also remains a family business. Its current history credits four generations of family leadership, from Meconi through his descendants. The Paw Paw site is still the company’s production home as well as a tasting room, retail shop, tour stop, and event space.
Warner sits next door across its parking lot and the Paw Paw River. Its current site says a fourth-generation Warner runs the winery. Together, the two addresses turn a short stretch of South Kalamazoo Street into a compact piece of Michigan wine history. You can see that history without memorizing a ranking; just remember that the two long-running businesses are neighbors, and check current hours before making the trip.
Where to see it
St. Julian's Paw Paw winery and tasting room is at 716 South Kalamazoo Street. Warner Vineyards is next door at 706 South Kalamazoo Street. Both are operating businesses, so check their current hours, tour details, and event schedules before visiting.
Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: July 15, 2026.