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

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.

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]

I always like Riesling with turkey, although with poultry Chardonnay would be beautiful. You have a lot of versatility and a lot of possibility with turkey. You could use a white wine or an aromatic wine. Those tend to go well with turkey, too.

Click through to read the rest and you might also want to try this recipe for roasting your turkey with white wine & rosemary.

Photo: Ciccone by Kiran Bhat

*Wikipedia's Sommelier entry explains that a sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional who specializes in all aspects of wine service. Since the Master Sommelier Diploma was introduced in 1969, 171 people from around the world had become Master Sommeliers by 2009. Of these there were 74 active Master Sommeliers in the Americas.

Claudia is one of three in the state of Michigan, and her observations can be found at twitter.com/Winegenie.

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

Join us for a flick featuring everyone’s favorite pirate and chow down on some grub!

Food is being delivered at 8:00pm.
Movie starts at 8:15pm
Popcorn available for $1.00

PIRATES’S PASS $10
(includes a glass of wine, a slice of pizza and cover charge)

LANDLUBBER $5
(includes a non-alcoholic beverage, slice of pizza and cover charge)

"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.

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.

The person decked out in the most boss 80's get up will win a great gift basket from Ciccone Vineyard and Winery full of great wine accessories and some great memories from the 80's!

We will be serving a rich homemade quiche along with our 2007 Gewurztraminer (full of grapefruit flavors which is why around Ciccone's it is known as "the breakfast wine").

Also don't forget another great After Hours Party at Ciccone's 6-8pm on Saturday May 2, 2009 after Sip n' Savor! If you bring you commemorative Sip n' Savor glass or your signature Ciccone logo tasting glass the event is free. We will have food and premium wine tasting and the newest rage KARAOKE!

Photo credit: Ciccone Winery by lpwines

• Wear your own mask or costume
• Kings cake * karaoke * moon pies
• Beads, beads and more beads!

Fat Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Door opens 6pm – 10pm
$10 cover charge (includes 2 glasses of wine and food)
Click for Ciccone Vineyard & Winery location

RSVP to cicconewines@aol.com

Photo credit: Ciccone Winery by lpwines

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

Friday January 23, 2009
6:30pm – 8:30pm
$10 cover charge (includes two glasses of wine and food)

Please RSVP to cicconewines@aol.com

www.cicconevineyards.com

Photo credit: lpwines

Many of our trail event participants have requested recipes for the food they sampled at the tasting rooms. Today we offer up four tantalizing recipes from Ciccone Vineyards they have served up at past LPVA events.

Ciccone Family Recipe

Traditional Italian Homemade Marinara Sauce

5 tomatoes, chopped
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 sm. bell pepper, diced
12 mushrooms, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2 sm. zucchini, sliced
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 c. red cooking wine
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tbsp. basil
1/2 tbsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. sage

Add all the ingredients together
(except for the dry herbs)
into a large pot on the stove.

Simmer for about 2 hours.

Add the dry herbs and simmer
for another 1 to 2 hours.

Use sauce on spaghetti,
in lasagna, or with
any other classic Italian dishes.

Gather friends and family around the dinner table open your favorite bottle of red. Our favorite is the 2006 Cabernet Franc with earthy and spicey tones it is a natural pairing with this homemade sauce.

Now share all of your favorite family moments over a nice hot meal and a good glass of wine.

1 onion diced
2 cans chopped tomatos
2 cups frozen chopped spinach – drained
4 cups marinara sauce
4 cups of chicken stock
1 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon basil

Put everything in a pot and let it simmer for a couple of hours.

Serve in bowl and sprinkle on top fresh grated Swiss cheese.

Serve this warm comforting soup with one of Ciccone Vineyards red wines.

Buon Appetito!

Ingredients

2 (1 pound each) Eggplants, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 1/4 inch-thick rounds
1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour, for dredging
2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup Fine Dry Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Olive Oil
3 cups Tomato Basil Sauce
8 ounces sliced Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Dredge eggplant slices in flour. Dip into beaten eggs, then into the breadcrumbs.
3. Saute eggplant in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. Drain eggplant slices on paper towels.
4. Season eggplant slices with salt and pepper.
5. Arrange half the eggplant slices in bottom of greased casserole dish
6. Cover first layer of eggplant with ½ the tomato basil sauce and ½ mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
7. Repeat procedure, creating a second layer.
8. Bake uncovered 20 minutes.

Serve this hearty meal to your friends and family along with one of Ciccone Vineyards famous dry red wines.

2 cans of cherry pie filling (21 ounces each)
1 box of chocolate cake mix
2 sticks of butter, sliced into 12 pieces each
2.25 ounce bag of chopped pecans
1/8 cup white sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a 9 x 13 cake pan:

Dump the 2 cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the box of chocolate cake mix evenly on top of that. Distribute the butter slices on top of the cake mix. Spread the pecans evenly over the butter and cake mix.
Finally, sprinkle the sugar over all.

Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes and serve warm!

This is also delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Serve this with a small glass of Ciccone Vineyard and Winery’s cherry wine, Bella Ciliegia.

Photo credit: Ciccone Vineyards by photoshoparama

Following Toast the Season on Saturday!

November 8th 6:30-8:30 p.m.

All people welcome no charge and no need to get dressed up!

Eat, Drink and Mingle!

Don't forget to do some holiday shopping too!

Photo: Tony Ciccone helping himself to a glass of Gewurztraminer!

Beginning July 11, 2008 our hours will be:
Friday noon till 5pm
Saturday noon till 6pm
Sunday from noon till 5pm.

Any questions please call us at 231-271-1188