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About 14 miles south, at McCallum's Orchard near Jeddo are 97 acres of fruit trees in bloom, whose fruit in the fall will be ready to turn into wine.

And right in the middle is Lexington, a resort village with shops and restaurants eager to turn that wine into dollars for the local tourist economy.

With gas prices skyrocketing, travelers seeking unique trips close to home and perfect growing conditions creating a wine trail from Port Huron to Bad Axe would appear to be an idea whose time has come.

"We're getting the groundswell going and it's just starting to come to fruition," notes Connie Currie who, with husband Steve owns the three--year--old Blue Water Winery, 7131 Holverson Road.

The couple hopes to have their first 2,500 bottles of wine ready to sell by this fall, pending final approval of their state and federal liquor licenses.

And the Lexington Business Association is doing everything it can to help sell it.

Last week, LBA members, along with two other local fledgling wine makers, and U.S. Rep. Candice Miller met at the Curries' farm to brainstorm a plan to create a Thumb Area wine trail.

Similar concepts have proven to be a gold mine for communities in northern Michigan, New York, Alabama -- and California, of course.

Why not here?

"This area is the perfect micro--climate for wine," Connie Currie said. "The lake keeps the air warm and the breeze keeps the vines dry."

Charles Ruthruff, owner of McCallum's Orchard, is poised to turn his acres of cherry, raspberry and apple orchards into a variety of fruit wines as soon as state and federal licensing requirements are complete.

"We're ready to go immediately," he said. "We'll start with cherry in the fall."

And although it's still in the planning stage, Nate and Kristi Shopbell, located on M-90 two miles west of Lexington, intend to begin their own vineyard soon, they said.

The wine trail could start at one end with Vinomundo in Port Huron, and end at Dizzy Dairy Winery and Vineyard in Bad Axe.

In fact, the fledgling group would love to see more vineyards spring up along the M-25 corridor.

"We didn't know about this region at all," Connie Currie said.

A Detroit native, she and Steve have been running a computer software company in Chicago for 20 years. Three years ago, they decided they could retire to the country and still run their business.

"We originally wanted to be south of I--69. We came to Lexington for the annual Bach Festival," she said. "We couldn't believe there was so much beautiful farmland so close to Lake Huron. And I can take country roads all the way back to Rochester. It's perfect."

The fledgling wine growers wanted to apprise Miller of their plans in the hope that she could spur licensing efforts at the federal level.

"I just became aware of this recently, but I think it is an excellent idea," said Miller. "I think Sanilac County and the Thumb Area is ripe to diversify and I'm willing to do anything I can to help."

The area has a lot more going for it than just excellent growing conditions.

The Thumb is a one--tank--of--gas drive from a major metropolitan area; its near Port Huron and its casinos; it has the lake; and M--25 is dotted with charming small villages and businesses, all of whom would benefit all along the route.

"They (local wineries) can benefit from us, and we can benefit from them," said James Gresock, president of the Lexington Business Association.

LBA Member Adam Buschbacher was unable to attend the meeting, but is a key player in bringing Lexington into the plan, Gresock said.

Buschbacher's Smackwater Block in downtown Lexington includes several gourmet shops and restaurants that sell wine, as well as the Lexington Music Theatre, which attracts scores of city dwellers to the village all season.

Lexington has been looking for ways to extend the tourist season to 12 months -- and top end restaurants and shows, along with winter ice wine festivals and similar events, are one way to do it.

"Add it all together and I'm excited about it. This will be huge," Gresock said.

Buschbacher notes that local wineries would be a must as part of an economic success path for the Thumb.

"I've brought big city amenities to a small town. The culture these wineries would bring to this area would absolutely complete the picture," he said. "It's a very important part for tourism development and I'm very excited about it."

Buschbacher hosts wine tasting every Saturday in his Huron Avenue Gourmet Marketplace, including Michigan wines. His first ice wine festival, held last January, was very successful and he intends to repeat it this year.

"I've offered to do wine tasting for the local wineries," he said. "Once they get going, we will truly have everything to offer."