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Crazy Vines Winery co-owner Pam Keister, right, chats with customers inside the business Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery co-owner Pam Keister, right, chats with customers inside the business Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

A semisweet white wine called "Dam'd Ole Lake" is available for purchase at Crazy Vines Winery, which is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery co-owner Pam Keister, second from left, chats with customers inside the business Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

Crazy Vines Winery is now open for business at 37 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.

Pam Keister and her husband, Jacob, understood the economic hardship facing Sanford after the May 2020 dam failures. When they considered opening a business there, they began by thinking outside the wine box. 

The couple recently opened Crazy Vines Winery with the hope that the business could help launch the village into a new era.

The married couple – she is a Midland Police officer and he is a Midland firefighter – met on the job and fell in love. In addition to careers and a brand-new business, they also have a blended family of five children ages 10 and under.

With a multitude of responsibilities, some familiar and some new, Keister said she’s thankful for the family's support system.

“We have amazing family and friends that came to the plate to help us out,” Keister said.

It was standing room only on May 19 at 37 Saginaw Road when Crazy Vines Winery opened its doors to the Sanford community  – which was also the two-year anniversary of the dam failures.

You could have called the opening a toast to new beginnings - for the couple and the community.

“The winery came at just the right time to lift our spirits and have something new, fun and classy,” said Sanford Village President Dolores Porte.

Sheila Diamond, of Midland, said everyone was having a great time on opening night. Some people saw it as an opportunity to put aside the hardships of the past two years.   

“It was lovely,” said Diamond, who joined some of her Sanford friends that evening. “It was standing room only, but it was still very cozy.”

It was so busy that one of the business’s 10 employees walked a total of seven miles that night, according to her Fit Bit.

“And we aren’t even that big of a place,” Jacob Keister said.

The Keisters said they wanted to create a cozy hangout and something new for the area. Only open for a week, the business is already starting to book bridal and baby showers along with wine tasting parties.

“We want people to hang out and be comfy and cozy,” Pam Keister said. “We want people to come in and relax.”

They are thankful for all the support they’ve been given from Michigan vineyards such as Rose Valley Winery, Currant Mist, Mackinaw Trail Winery and Brewery, and Bel Lago.

In addition to the winery business, the family takes care of its own vineyards. They planted 150 Marquette grapevines last year and another 150 this year - but can’t use them for another three years. They are working toward producing an estate wine, which is one owned or controlled by one's own winery.

Crazy Vines Winery is serving 13 wines. Eleven of those are made in Sanford using only Michigan stock.

“We are keeping everything local,” Keister said.

One of the wines is Dam’d Ole Lake, which Keister said is popular. She doesn’t know if it’s because of the name or the wine itself.

The Keisters agreed that the village is a great place to bring a business. They are excited to bring their family-owned and family-run operation there. Even their children are growing to love the grape business.

“When it comes to crushing grapes, they are right out there with it,” Keister said. “We want to teach them hard work and dedication."

Keister said she and her husband handle full-time careers, a family, and a business, and they want to show their two sons and three daughters that if you want something, you can make it happen. You might need to sacrifice a little sleep, though, to make that dream come true.

“We really wanted to bring something new and something comfortable where people could come and hang out,” Keister said. “The atmosphere is better than we anticipated. It all turned out better than anticipated."

Crazy Vines Winery is open 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, and closed Monday and Tuesday.