“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

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 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

"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.

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

Food: Grilled Chicken Caprese Roll

Why: The Chardonnay softens the Balsamic marinade and smokey flavor of the cheese.

John was a professional landscaper and design until his mid-forties, when he moved to the Grand Traverse area and started wine-making. His 1st vintage was 1996, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Willow is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.

Learn more about Willow Vineyards.

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.

Get more details and order tickets at the Spring Sip & Savor page!

The winter has been long but it's nearing an end!

Here's a photo from our Leelanau Wine group on the photo sharing site Flickr that might help bring back the sun. KT writes This is the view you'll see if and when you visit Willow Vineyard in Suttons Bay, MI. It's just gorgeous and the wine ain't so bad either

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!

"On an August vacation in the Traverse City area, I thought I would undertake a long-delayed tour of northern Michigan tasting rooms, sampling both a variety of wines as well as comparable wines across a number of wineries.

My travels encompassed nine tasting rooms chosen mostly at random over three days…"

Read "In vino veritas: A tour of Traverse City area wineries yields some great wine" on Crain's Detroit Business

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!