Chateau Fontaine Wine Dinner

~Canapé Reception~

Duck Liver Mousse, Fig Jam, Port Syrup
Chateau Fontaine Pinot Gris, 2007

Seared Sea Scallop, Gremolata, Lemon Risotto
Chateau Fontaine Chardonnay, 2007

“BLT”, Pork Belly, Kale Salad, Roasted Tomato, Duck Fat Aioli
Chateau Fontaine Dry White Riesling, 2008

~Intermezzo~

Sturgeon, Parmesan Polenta, Spinach, Calabrese, Beurre Rouge
Chateau Fontaine Pinot Noir, 2007

Lamb Chops, Leelanau Morels in Woodland Red
Chateau Fontaine Woodland Red, 2007

Dark Chocolate Bouchon, Cherry Conserve, Vanilla Ice Cream
Chateau Fontaine Cherry Wine

Throughout the day, there will be a comprehensive selection of artisan food and wines from Michigan with lavish appetizers of local ingredients prepared by Shiraz Executive Chef Travis Waynick. Winemakers from the Leelanau Peninsula and all around the state will be on hand to discuss their wines and provide additional information about their winery operations.

From 12:30-3:30 PM, the Showcase will be open to restaurant, retailer and distributor staff (contact Madeline Triffon at Shiraz for admission & info: 248-645-5289.) and from 6-8:30 PM, it will be open to the general public for $40 per person at the door. Members of the media are invited to attend any part of the Showcase at no charge.

Leelanau wineries in attendance will include Bel Lago Vineyards, Black Star Farms, Chateau Fontaine, Ciccone Vineyards, Circa Estate Winery, Gill's Pier, Good Harbor Vineyards, L. Mawby and Shady Lane Cellars.

Photo Credit: Untitled by Emery Co Photo

“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

Getting grapes to the point of being picked off the vine, after surviving all the months of weather and being carefully tended to, is just a part of what a winery does. The next step begins: It's time to process the grapes for use in future wines. All the vineyards in Northern Michigan take on this challenge. To learn more about what it takes to get the job done, The 45th magazine traveled to Leelanau County's Chateau Fontaine and spoke with owner Dan Matthies. The 45th captured some of this process on film.

First the grapes are picked by hand and collected in large tubs that are then transported by forklift to a machine that separates the stems from the fruit, then… well, maybe just watch the video and have the man himself, Dan Matthies, explain how and why things are done around Chateau Fontaine. In Chateau Fontaine II, Dan describes what happens to the fruit once they've been through the machine.

You can request a no-obligation issue of The 45th by visiting www.the45th.net. If you haven't already, sign-up for their Short Takes on the 45th e-mail articles providing wine, food, and leisure tips, recipes, and advice today! You can also call 1-800-447-7367 to sign up for the Short Takes and request a no-obligation issue!

Photo credit: Chardonnay Vineyard by farlane (check out his full set from Chateau Fontaine)

Picture driving back roads through the hills of the Leelanau Peninsula in a bright red, souped-up Dodge Charger for three days, with weather more beautiful than anyone has a right to expect in mid-November, bouncing from winery to winery and tasting some of the very best wines the appellation has to offer, and you’ll get some idea of what our adventure in northern Michigan was like last month.

Click through to Gang of Pour to read their tasting notes and perceptions about the wines and the region. To check out the videos, start with the one below and then use the related ones at the end or click to gang of pour on YouTube!
Photo by Kim Adams: David Rusnell,Claudia Tyagi, George Heritier & Charlie Edson at Bel Lago.

MyNorth.com Video: Video: Sommeliers Come to Northern Michigan to Taste Leelanau Wines

Traverse Magazine talked with Master sommelier Claudia Tyagi and George Heritier, co-founder Gang of Pour. The pair were part of a group of wine experts who came North to tour and taste in Leelanau County wineries. Claudia talks about the power of combining spectacular landscapes, beautiful wineries and great wine.

Click the pic to the right to watch the video on MyNorth.com!

It was just Kelly, the long bar, and me.

I was on a solo cycling tour of the Leelanau Peninsula wine trail in north-west Michigan. The Ciccone winery, a few miles south of the arty village of Suttons Bay, is one of around 20 on the peninsula, which offers the greatest concentration of wineries in Michigan.

It sits on the 45th parallel that cuts through some of the world's greatest wine-producing areas, including Alsace, Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, and is surrounded by lake water, giving it a moderate year-round temperature.

Click to read on!

Photo: Ciccone Vineyards by photoshoparama

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]

"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!"

Ciccone Vineyards Tasting Room Manager Jaclyn Eikey added "This is not business as usual – I think we're all looking forward to creating an exclusive opportunity for intimate evenings at our tasting rooms. We have so much variety that I know everyone will find something new & fun!"

The schedule and list of participating wineries for the next several months is:

Friday, July 10th come and taste the "Fruits of Leelanau": Leelanau County produces some of the finest fruit in the world and this night will provide a showcase for our wines, meads and ciders.

Participating wineries are:

• Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery
• Black Star Farms
• Chateau Fontaine
• Cherry Republic Winery
• Ciccone Vineyard & Winery
• 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

Friday, August 14th come celebrate the Dog Days of Summer: We'll have outside fun for your 4 footed friend and hot deals in our tasting rooms.

Friday, September 11th sail with the Pirates of the Peninsula: Celebrate the Maritime Heritage Alliance's Inaugural Michigan Schooner Festival and hunt for treasure all day long on the Leelanau Peninsula.

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.

Parties
A Friday night benefit mixer to kick off the Taste the Passion weekend will be held in the loft at Nonna's Italian Restaurant at The Homestead on Friday, February 6 2009 from 6-8 PM.

Leelanau winery representatives will be in attendance and the evening will include a tasting of chocolates and cheeses with a cash bar featuring Leelanau wines. A $5 entry fee will be donated to the Glen Arbor Artists Association Scholarship Fund, and there will be art on display from member artists as well.

Ciccone Vineyards will be hosting another one of their famous cocktail parties! After Taste the Passion on Saturday night 6-8pm. Taste our premium wines, mingle with the owner/winemaker Tony Ciccone, appetizers and shop to your hearts content! No charge!

Things to do Outdoors
Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery invites you to cross country ski or snowshoe through our vineyard and follow our trails through the woods. Find your way back to enjoy our wine and treats! Unguided trail time will be available from 10am to 5pm on the event weekend. Bring your own equipment. View a map of their ski/snowshoe trail.

Good Neighbor Organic is planning snow shoeing and cross country ski trails as well as be ice skating (we may have 3 x 3 Hockey games going) – The farm is 66 acres so plenty of room for winter fun – - The sledding hill will be groomed and sleds provided for those who want to play – There will also be outdoor fires going to keep you warm!

Gill's Pier is offering an unguided, one-mile morning snowshoe hike through the vineyard and adjoining orchard at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, with danishes and hot mulled wine for participants. Participants must bring their own snowshoes.

L. Mawby will once again host the North American Snow Angel Championships. You may bring accessories and this competition is open to professionals and amateurs alike.

Tandem Ciders will be hosting a dart game called Legs.

Warm up at Bel Lago! Shoot hoops in the Barrel room with Charlie Edson, our winemaker! 11:00AM-3:30 PM Saturday, 11:30-2:30 Sunday. Make 5 out of 10 free throws and get a certificate for $10.00 off purchases over $20.00. Charlie may even show up with a wine thief!

Regrettably, the chili event and dinner at Black Star Farms have been canceled.

Visit our 'Taste the Passion' page to purchase tickets and also be sure to check out the special lodging packages that are available (tickets are included in these packages).

Photo credit: lpwines

Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery
For the 2008 Toast the Season Event they will feature 2006 Bel Lago Pinot Grigio paired with delicious Greek spinach and feta triangles called Spanakopita.

The 2006 Bel Lago Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully with this hors d’oeuvre. The bright pear, peach and tangerine notes of their stainless steel fermented Pinot Grigio compliment the lemony flavor of the feta and spinach. And the creamy, full on the palate feel of their Italian style Pinot Grigio brings out the subtle honey-kissed flavor of the flaky phyllo crust.

Chateau Fontaine
Fontaine is serving focaccia with grilled beef loin and two sauces: blue cheese or basil butter. Wine will be Woodland Red because it compliments the beef loin so wonderfully.

Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery
Gill’s Pier will be serving their famous Meatballs – back again by popular demand. These meatballs will be a hit at holiday parties and we will be posting the recipe to lpwines.com very soon. They are pairing them with a blend of their Icebox Apple and Cherrio Cherry wines…to show how to get creative with wine!

Good Harbor Vineyards
Good Harbor will be serving White Chili and 2007 Pinot Grigio because they compliment each others flavors very well.

L. Mawby
At L. Mawby you will be treated to a delicious Cheddar Dill Scone paired with Blanc de Noir.

Shady Lane Cellars
Shady Lane Cellars will be serving a creamy potato corn chowder with a hint of thyme with the 07 Pinot Grigio. A comforting, warm meal for the season and the Pinot Grigio goes well with corn chowder.

Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery
Turkey with Cranberry Sauce paired with Pinot Noir. This Pinot Noir is their first vintage made by Silverleaf owner and winemaker Mark Carlson under the supervision of John Fletcher (Château de Leelanau).

Willow Vineyard
Willow's food for the event is a apple peach crunch with 2 fondues, Ginger caramel and a vanilla. Pairing with our Pinot Gris Reserve. The sweet of the fruit and spice of the ginger will pick up the spice in the wine.

Photo credit: Pour by Autumm

In the Leelanau Peninsula AVA of northwest Michigan’s lower peninsula, Auxerrois stands on its own as a 100 percent varietal. Both Charlie Edson, owner/winemaker at Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery, and owner/winemaker Dan Matthies of Chateau Fontaine Vineyard & Winery have made award-winning bottlings of Auxerrois. Because he believes that consumers should know, right out of the gate, what the grape variety is, Edson labels it varietally, but Matthies gives it the proprietary name Woodland White, because he believes it’s easier to market.

Continue reading the interview with Dan Matthies and Charlie Edson at AppellationAmerica.com…

For more information on the Auxerrois varietal visit Wikipedia…

Photo credit: Chateau Fontaine Vineyard III by lpwines

Food: Assorted Quiches

Why: We are serving our freshly made Quiches paired with our 2006 Pinot Gris. It's crisp clean flavors of apple and spice with a light tone of oak and vanilla round into a dry finish ~ an excellent start to summer!

Dan and Lucie Matthies opened Chateau Fontaine 7 years ago after planting and growing grapes starting in 1990, under the name Big Paw Vineyards. After selling their grapes to other vintners for a few years their first wines were produced in 1999.

Learn more about Chateau Fontaine.

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.