“Art from Wine Country” will be a feast for the senses bringing together some of the best that Leelanau County has to offer; art, wine, and food. It’s all for a good cause. Part of the proceeds from admissions and sale of artwork will go to the Glen Arbor Art Association for class scholarships and an after school art program.

The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor will host “Art from Wine Country” in the beautiful Mountain Flowers Lodge on Friday, February 5 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. This event will kick off the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association’s “Taste the Passion” weekend and features art and wine from Leelanau County paired with fabulous tapas by The Homestead’s Chef John Piombo.

The Glen Arbor Art Association is organizing the invitational art exhibit. Some of the artists who will have artwork on display are GAAA members Jane Batteiger, Beth Bricker, Harvey Gordon, Kristin Hurlin, and Ken Peterson. The artists will be on hand and their work will be for sale. This is a good opportunity to meet them and talk with them about their work – a great night to celebrate a perfect pairing of wine and art.

Last year this event raised $350 all of which was used to provide scholarship assistance for those who could not otherwise afford art classes. Each year many children are benefited by the GAAA’s scholarship program and after school art classes. There is a display wall at the GAAA for children’s artwork and on it is a poster that says, “Art is a place kids travel to where they feel good about themselves. Keep their passports current.” Please join us at The Homestead on Friday, February 5 to help make this happen.

An entrance fee of $20 per person includes tickets for two glasses of wine and food from multiple food stations. Additional wine tickets are available for purchase ($4/ticket or 3 tickets for $10). Parking is available in the Homestead’s Village parking lot.

Photo credit: -75 by Emery Co Photo

Second generation fruit growers, Matt Gregory, Mark Miezio, Roger Veliquette, and Andrew Gregory are looking forward to expanding on the traditions of the award winning Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery. The new owners are expressing grateful appreciation to Dr. Kurtz for extending them the opportunity to develop the winery further. “Taking the helm of one of northern Michigan’s oldest wineries offers us many challenges,” said Andrew Gregory “and the fact that we can build on traditions as well as bring new ideas to fruition is exciting.”

The new owners expressed their enthusiasm for being part of something that helps to achieve community goals focused on sustainability and growth. “The positive economic contribution that viticulture and wine making add to the tourist and agricultural industry is definitely noticeable in the Traverse area” according to Roger Veliquette “and we want to be part of that.”

The winery staff will continue to welcome the public, Thursdays through Saturdays, at its tasting room located at the corner of Hilltop Road and M22 in Leelanau County. Wines made from Riesling, Chardonnay, Bianca, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Regent are available to sample and purchase. Transferring of ownership will be completed upon appropriate licensing of the new owners.

At just $15 for a lifetime membership, you can’t beat the price for this unique gift for the Michigan wine lovers on your list. Vintage Michigan members receive discounts on their purchase of Michigan wines at wineries, retailers and restaurants throughout the state. They also receive a quality Michigan Wines corkscrew or Michigan bottle stopper as their free gift when you sign them up.

Want to be more creative? Put together a Michigan wine-themed basket, with a bottle or two of your favorite Michigan wines, a couple of glasses and a Vintage Michigan membership tucked in.

Visit www.michiganwines.com for more information about the Vintage Michigan club and to purchase a membership online, or contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at (517) 241-4468.

Photo credit: Heightened Senses [Dennis]

I found out this past weekend that you don't have to know a lot about wine to enjoy it. For an adult getaway mini vacation my husband and I, my two brothers and their wives took off to beautiful upper Michigan to the Traverse City Bay area and surrounding Leelanau Peninsula. This is known as the wine touring destination with many award winning wines to taste in addition to the spectacular views of Grand Traverse Bay.

With a choice of 17 wineries to choose from, a casino, and the most beautiful scenery put on this earth, we were truly looking forward to a fantastic trip.

Read the entire post "Follow the Wine Trail of Grand Traverse Bay"

Photo credit: Ciconne Vineyards by artsy_T

DATE: June 24, 2009
TIME: 6:00-8:00 PM
LOCATION: Uncorked: A Northern Michigan Wine Bar
211 East Front St, Traverse City
800-286-7209

Photo credit: Chateau de Leelanau by photoshoparama

This very special night in the series, "Premium Pour", takes place Friday, June 12th – the night before the popular Leland Wine Festival. It's called "Premium Pour" because it gives you a chance to tune up your palate with some top shelf and library wines from Leelanau wineries.

Wineries participating in "Premium Pour" include:

• Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery
• Black Star Farms
• Chateau de Leelanau
• Chateau Fontaine
• Cherry Republic Winery
• Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery
• Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard & Winery
• Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery
• L. Mawby
• Leelanau Wine Cellars
• Shady Lane Cellars
• Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery
• Tandem Ciders
• Willow Vineyard

"We think that our Second Fridays will give folks in the area a chance to have a little fun at the end of the work week by visiting their friendly local wineries," said Larry Mawby. "Leelanau is a short drive from Traverse City, so pop on out!"

About the Leland Wine Festival

On Saturday, June 13th one of Michigan's oldest and largest wine festivals takes place from noon to 6 PM in Leland. The day features over 20 wineries and food vendors and music from The Fabulous Horn Dogs. It's a great chance to taste wine and food from Leelanau and kick off the summer.

Thank you to everyone who wore pajamas on Saturday, and even Sunday! Here is the list of winners of the PJ Contest from the 2009 Spring Sip and Savor Event:

Bel Lago's winner for the Most Eye Opening PJs Mary R

Chateau de Leelanau's Most Outrageous winner is Megan Q

Chateau Fontaine's Playboy Mansion winner Gary K, the Bagpiper

Cherry Republic's Most Cherry or Reddest is Jordan M, in the Jordan jersey

Ciccone's Most Awesome 80s winner is Charles U

Gill's Pier Ugliest Flannels winner is Diana W

L Mawby's Most Adorable Couple is Karen and Kirk H

Longview's Best Historical (or in this case Hysterical) Gary V

Silver Leaf's Most Worn winners are Christina B and Jason R

And the BIG winner, with prizes from Good Harbor, Shady Lane, Black Star Farms, and Willow Vineyard, as well as the People's Choice, is Jan R The Lady in the Green Robe!

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Make sure to check out this set of photos of the 2009 Spring Sip and Savor event at the LPVA flickr group.

Paradise Shuttle is offering $25 per person from 5 – 8 on Friday, May 8. That is $10 off the normal rate for wine tours, pick up anywhere in Traverse City – (231) 218-2317

New York Luxury Limos is offering 10% off per person – (231) 935-1933

Wine Country Luxury Limo & Trolley Wine Tours is offering $39 per person with an 11 person minimum, pick up at The Vineyard Inn – (231) 271-VINE

Above The Bay Limousine is offering a 10% discount – (989) 426-7454

Participating wineries are:

• Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery
• Black Star Farms
• Chateau de Leelanau
• Chateau Fontaine
• Cherry Republic Winery
• Ciccone Vineyard & Winery – Will feature an old Hollywood movie theme! Kellie Hammond doing mini-makeovers, movie snacks and more!
• Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery
• Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery
• Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard & Winery
• L. Mawby
• Leelanau Wine Cellars
• Shady Lane Cellars
• Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery
• Tandem Ciders
• Willow Vineyard

Coming up this weekend – May 2&3, 2009. Get all the details and tickets from our Sip & Savor page.

Food: Chocolate raspberry cabernet sauce drizzled over freshly baked brownies

Why: The chocolate cabernet raspberry sauce complements luscious berry tones in the Rose’

Our traveling veteran winemaker, John Fletcher, hails from Nova Scotia. His experience in cold climate varietals is reflected in numerous award winning vintages.

Learn more about Chateau de Leelanau.

Our Sip & Savor wine trail event will feature wine & food specifically selected by each of the LPVA winemakers. The winemakers will also be on hand to discuss their wines and sign the 2008 LPVA Winemakers poster.

The schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY THEMED TASTINGS (12-4 PM)
All participants in Friday's themed tastings will have their wines featured at the Closing Reception on Saturday, September 15 – 7:00 pm. This reception features a diverse offering of entrees and a very large selection of desserts. – Details

Roses light reds (12-1:15 PM)

• Brys
• Leelanau Cellars
• Bowers Harbor Vineyard
• Stone House Bread

Sweeter table wines (1:20-2:35 PM)

• Chateau de Leelanau
• Ciccone
• Good Harbor
• Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery & Carlson's Fisheries

Crisp, aromatic whites (2:40-3:50 PM)

• L Mawby
• Left Foot Charley
• Chateau Grand Traverse
• Bardenhagen Farm Apples (plus cheese or fish)

SATURDAY THEMED TASTINGS (12-4 PM)
All participants in Saturday's themed tastings will have their wines featured at the Great Lakes Grills South Opening Reception on Thursday, September 13 – 6:00 pm. – Details

Full, complex whites (12-1:15 PM)

• Chateau Fontaine
• Gills Pier
• Willow
• Brownwood Farms Glaze and Community Connection Farms Chicken

Dessert wines (1:20-2:35 PM)

• Bel Lago
• Chateau Chantal
• Grand Traverse Pie & American Spoon gelato

Bold reds (2:40 – 3:50 PM)

• Shady Lane
• Black Star Farms
• Peninsula Cellars
• Aamon Orchards (plus sausage/bison)

Thursday's Opening Reception wineries:
Chateau Fontaine, Gills Pier, Willow, Bel Lago, Chateau Chantal, Shady Lane, Black Star Farms, Peninsula Cellars

Saturday's Grand Reception wineries:
Brys, Leelanau Cellars, Bowers Harbor Vineyard, Chateau de Leelanau, Ciccone, Good Harbor, L Mawby, Left Foot Charley, Chateau Grand Traverse

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best of Class Winners

Semi-Dry White
Gill's Pier – 2006 Riesling

Semi-Dry/Sweet Red
Leelanau Cellars – Great Lakes Red

Dry Red
Longview – 2005 Cabernet Franc Vintner Reserve

Double Gold Medals

Gill's Pier
2006 Riesling

Longview
2005 Cabernet Franc Vintner Reserve

Gold Medals

Bel Lago
2006 Auxerrois
2006 Late Harvest Pinot Grigio
Brillante Sparkling Wine

Black Star Farms
2004 Black Star Farms
Sparkling Wine

L. Mawby
Cremant

Leelanau Cellars
Great Lakes Red Cranberry

Longview
2006 Rustic White
2006 Pinot Noir

Shady Lane Cellars
2005 Pinot Grigio

Silver Medals

Bel Lago
2005 Tempesta
2006 Pinot Grigio/ Chardonnay
Bel Lago Red Wine

Black Star Farms
2004 Leorie Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet Franc
2005 Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay
2006 Arcturos Dry Riesling

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery
2006 Pinot Grigio

Chateau Fontaine
2005 Pinot Noir
2006 Woodland White

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery
2006 Cabernet Franc

Gill's Pier
2005 Cabernet Franc/Merlot
2006 Leelanau Conservancy Houdek Dunes Whitewater

Good Harbor Vineyards
2005 White Riesling
2006 White Riesling

L. Mawby
Blanc de Blanc
Consort
Sandpiper

Leelanau Cellars
2006 Semi-Dry Riesling
2006 Baco Noir
2006 Pinot Grigio

Longview
2006 Cherry Wine
2006 Riesling
2006 Pinot Gris

Shady Lane Cellars
2005 Serenity
2005 Pinot Noir Reserve
2005 Sparkling Riesling
2005 Cabernet Franc
2006 Semi-Dry Riesling
2006 Pinot Noir Rosé

Bronze Medals

Bel Lago
2002 Brut Sparkling Wine
2005 Riesling
2006 Pinot Grigio

Black Star Farms
2005 Arcturos Pinot Gris
2005 Arcturos Pinot Noir
2005 Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay
2005 Arcturos Cabernet Franc
2006 Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling
2006 Arcturos Pinot Noir Rose
Sirus White

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery
2004 Riesling Select Harvest
2005 Pinot Gris

Chateau Fontaine
2006 White Riesling

Gill's Pier
2005 Paragon
Cheerio Cherry

Good Harbor Vineyards
2005 Maréchal Foch Rosé
2005 Pinot Grigio Reserve
2006 Pinot Grigio
Harbor Red

L. Mawby
Blanc de Noir

Leelanau Cellars
2006 Dry Riesling
2006 Vignoles

Longview
2006 Northern De-Light

Shady Lane Cellars
2000 Brut
2005 Lake Harvest Vignoles
Roost

Willow Vineyards
2006 Pinot Noir

You can get a full list of award winning Michigan wines from the Michigan Wine & Grape Industry Council.

Our member wineries will soon be posting news & events – stay tuned!