Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery in Northport is closing after more than 12 years in the business. Started by Kris and Ryan Sterkenburg in late 2003, the couple is now retiring from the wine industry.

The Sterkenburgs put the vineyard and winery on the market in early 2013, saying at that time they started the business with the idea of "growing it and finding a buyer at some point."

Ryan Sterkenburg, who also has a background in financial services, says the decision to close now came after he was asked to start and run a new investment management and trust department for State Savings Bank in Traverse City.

"This requires my full time and attention and we will likely be moving a bit closer to TC," he tells The Ticker.

The tasting room will be open Thursdays-Saturdays, 11am-5pm, and Sunday, noon-5pm, until April 15.

Customers can also order wines online through April 12 and Gill's Pier wines will also be available at the Michigan By The Bottle tasting rooms in Shelby Township and Royal Oak.