We loved seeing all the PJs and hats on the trail this year. Everyone looked great! But now we have a challenge, who can dethrone the King and Queen of the Sip and Savor next year?

We would also like to thank everyone, who participated by turning in their ballots. We chose a random person from these ballots, also. Our winner for the random drawing was Susan B. Congratulations, Susan!

Many of the wineries gave away prizes, too! We will have the list of winners soon!

Ingredients

1 oz. butter

1 medium onion

1/4 cup of coarsely chopped carrot

1/4 cup of coarsely chopped celery

12 oz. button mushrooms (add a morel or two if you have them)

6 medium Michigan White Potatoes peeled and cut into quarters

1/2 cup of Bel Lago Riesling

5 cups of chicken stock

1 cup of whipping cream of 1/2 and 1/2.

1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme

4 oz. Pleva’s Spicy Sausage, cooked and chopped

salt and pepper to adjust seasoning

Preparation

Heat butter in a medium pan over low heat. Add onions, carrots and celery. Cook gently for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, potatoes and wine. Bring to a boil and add chicken stock. Reduce heat and cook until the potatoes are tender.

Puree soup mixture in a food processor or blender and blend until the mixture is smooth. Return the soup to the sauce pan and add chopped Pleva spicy sausage, the cream and thyme. . Bring the soup up to a temperature of 165 degrees and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Photo credit: bel lago iris by n.wamsley

As a reminder, the Spring Sip & Savor is a super-fun celebration of spring in Leelanau. Part of the fun is the pajama or fancy hat contest. Check out the prizes that the wineries are offering!

There is also a grand prize determined by popular vote of Sip & Savor ticket holders. It includes two nights lodging at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor during any season of the year (subject to availability), dinner for two with appetizers and desert at La Becasse in Maple City, Sunday brunch for two at the Bluebird in Leland, a wood fire pizza from Hearth & Vine Cafe at Black Star Farms, perfect for lunch or light meal out on the trail.

We'll also draw one vote at random from all those who voted for the Grand Prize winner and that lucky person will receive a pair of tickets to either the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival (Aug 21, 2010) or the Harvest Stompede Wine Trail Event (Sep 18 & 19, 2010)!

Photo: Spring Sip & Savor by KARUNAPHOTO – check out her 2009 Spring Sip & Savor slideshow.

The grand prize includes two nights lodging at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor during any season of the year (subject to availability), dinner for two with appetizers and desert at La Becasse in Maple City, Sunday brunch for two at the Bluebird in Leland, a wood fire pizza from Hearth & Vine Cafe at Black Star Farms, perfect for lunch or light meal out on the trail.

We'll also draw one vote at random from all those who voted for the Grand Prize winner and that lucky person will receive a pair of tickets to either the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival (Aug 21, 2010) or the Harvest Stompede Wine Trail Event (Sep 18 & 19, 2010)!

To get your taste buds excited, we have included the savory foods that the wineries are serving and any special pours that they are pairing with these selections.

Willow Vineyards will be offering a Wilted Radicchio, Endive, and Asparagus Salad served with their 2009 Baci Rose. They will be awarding a Willow Vineyard T-shirt to the Best Jungle Pajamas.

L. Mawby will be serving "not your normal" doughnut holes with their J'adore, a demi-sec sparkling wine. To the most adorable couple, they will be giving away a pair of Acorn brand pink saggy slippers for her and vineyard vines boxer shorts for him, as well as, a bottle of J'adore. L. Mawby also promises "immense amounts of fun to be had by all."

Good Neighbor Organics will be serving Pork Loin and Mini Quiche. They will be offering a prize for the Best Night Cap.

Silver Leaf will be serving Fruit Kabobs with Pinot Gris, and will be giving the best wine themed PJs and hat Silver Leaf T-shirts.

Bel Lago will look for the "Most Eye Opening" costume or hat, and our partner, Higher Grounds, will provide a gift basket of Fair Trade coffees for the winner.  They will be serving Up North Pureed Potato Soup with Pleva Spicy Sausage with their award winning 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling.

Gill's Pier will be serving Whitewater – A semi-sweet white table wine. Vignoles, Riesling, and Auxerrois grapes create a voluptuous wine for those who are daring enough to enjoy its sensuality. The palate is caressed with touches of honey, melon and pineapple. The sweet citrus finish is like a summer romance! Featured Food Pairing- Trish’s Dishes of Northport, Michigan will be preparing savory Quiche for the event weekend. Lizzi Lambert, owner of Haystacks, will be donating a $50.00 gift card to Haystacks for the Ugliest Flannel. For the Fancy Hat Contest we decided on the “Spirit of Leelanau” to encourage ticket holders to come up with a hat that best represents a personal creative interpretation of what Leelanau Peninsula means to them. Lizzie also will be donating gift cards for attendees the day of the event. We did this last year and our Sip & Savor ticket holders loved the added gift to the event and Haystacks saw benefits in sales that weekend as well. This has become a great community business partnership.

Sippin' in Slippers…..what could be better? Good Harbor will pouring our summer sipper, Manitou 2007, a delightful blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Gris and pairing it with Carlson's local whitefish pate. The winner with the most original and creative pair of slippers will receive one of our newly designed and framed posters.

Ciccone Vineyards says "Cover your bloomin' arse! Ciccone Vineyards will be judging you on your best OLD FASHION PAJAMAS! You know bloomers, petticoats, or even those old fashion red trapdoor pajamas! We are going back in time in our Tasting Room so come and join us for a good old fashion party!" The prize will be a Ciccone Signature Wine and Food Basket. It will be filled with goodies ( award winning wine and some yummy food) and even a few surprises to be found in the basket.

Black Star Farms will be serving goat cheese and caramelized onion mini tarts with a balsamic reduction paried with their New Vintage 2009 Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay. They will be giving a $50 diniing certificate for the best bed head and hat.

Leelanau Cellars will be serving Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Pita, paired with their 2009 Baco Noir Rose.

Cherry Republic will be serving a Mexican Casserole with Sangria. The will be giving a Cherry Republic Gift Certificate for the Most “Carmen Miranda” Colorful PJ’s.

Chateau de Leelanau will be serving a Cream Puff with their 2005 Select Harvest Riesling.

Circa will be celebrating Kentucky Derby week with a Sip and Savor party out on the lawn, under the tent. We will be featuring Derby Day foods prepared by chef Phil Murray of "Phil's On Front" and live music by the Windy Ridge Boys. Our prize, for the Most Elegant Derby Bonnet, will be provided by the area's premier chapeau shop – Diversions!

Korner Kottage
Enjoy the Sip & Savor weekend at the Korner Kottage B&B in beautiful Suttons Bay. Your two night lodging package includes 2 Sip & Savor tickets, and offers our "extended off~season rates" with a yummy, healthy breakfast served each morning.Please view our website at www.kornerkottage.com or call for pricing and reservations at 888 552 2632. We would love to share our home with you

Traverse Bay Inn
Enjoy this great SPRING Leelanau Peninsula Wine Event and treat your selves to great accommodations at the Traverse Bay Inn. Third Night FREE when staying two nights… can't stay the third night? Just plan on a leisurely morning and a late check out on your departure day. Just $199 + taxes for a King Jacuzzi Suite, first come first serve, when they are gone Fireplace or Queen Suites will be available.

Package Includes: Two Nights Lodging for two PLUS the Third Night FREE if you like. Complimentary bottle of our Private Label Champagne and two souvenir glasses along with a couples Spring Sip and Savor ticket! Only available by calling 800-968-2646 or 231-938-2646.

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa
Sip, Savor and Stay from $59* at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. Package includes lodging, Spring Sip & Savor event couples ticket, use of The Peak indoor pool and fitness center, indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Call reservations at 800-968-7686 or book your stay online at www.crystalmountain.com.
*Rate is per adult, per night, based on double occupancy in hotel accommodations.

Leelanau Vacation Rentals
Two night stay at a designated one bedroom Homestead condominium with 1 Sip & Savor couples wine tour ticket – for only $300!! Must mention this offer when making your reservation. Call 231.334.6100 or 800.309.5045 or visit www.lvrrentals.com for reservations.

Comfort Inn
Our Sip & Savor Package will be worded as follows—Our Sip & Savor package includes lodging on Friday and Saturday nights in a King Hot Tub Room with a couples Sip and Savor ticket included, for only $190 plus tax. If you prefer a room with two queen beds, the price for the package would be only $170 plus tax for the two nights. With either package, add either Thursday or Sunday night for just $59. To make reservations, please call us at 231-778-8000.

Homestead Resort
Join us for the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association's annual Spring Sip & Savor wine trail event. As our vineyards wake to the sun & warmth of May, we kick off the season with a brunch-themed wine and food pairing at each of the 18 wineries on the wine trail. For added fun, event participants are encouraged to keep their pajamas on when they set out in the morning and try to win one of the prizes that many of the wineries will be offering. In addition to the pajama contest, this year we will be welcoming 'fancy hats' as part of the judging. Package start at $93/person per night and includes lodging two nights, a couples ticket to the Sip & Savor tour, breakfast each morning and a romantic dinner at Nonna's one evening.

Bayshore Resort
“Sip and Savor” with Bayshore Resort! Our package includes a romantic stay at the Bayshore Resort, on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City. Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast, before you begin the Sip and Savor Wine Trail event in Leelanau County. Starting at $130 plus tax per room, the package includes 2 Sip and Savor tickets. Visit www.bayshore-resort.com or call 800-634-4401.

Best Western
Our fun Sip & Savor package from our national award winning hotel where our staff lives "heroic hospitality" will guarantee you a relaxing night away! You can book this package for either Friday or Saturday night, if you are looking for just an overnight escape, or add additional nights if you want to make it an entire weekend away! Your package includes your choice (subject to availability) of a king bed with 2-1/2 person jetted tub or queen two story loft with 2-1/2 person jetted tub. All rooms at our Best Western feature deluxe amenities such as microwave, mini-refrigerator, DVD player, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, complimentary hot breakfast, complimentary evening treat (from 6-8 pm), deepest indoor heated pool (11 ft deep) and hot tub open 24 hours, free breakfast room service, complimentary "goodie bag", tickets for 2 for the Sip & Savor, complimentary wine opener and much more! All this for just $123.49 per room plus tax! Call 888-499-3060 for reservations.

Traverse Victorian Inn
Sip and Savor package includes room of choice and 2 Sip & Savor tickets for $104.95. Add an additional night for $59.95. For reservations or more information, please visit www.traversevictorian.com or call 800.506.5525.

Holiday Inn, West Bay
Enjoy the Holiday Inn West Bay the only full service hotel located directly on the sandy shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. 179 newly updated guest rooms. MOST with a view of the Bay. We have Shimmers night club that provides live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. One night stay and 2 tickets for the Sip n Savor wine event for $135.00 plus tax. We are a short drive to 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.

There were about 2000 wines (54 Rose and Blush wines) entered by close to 400 wineries and the Rose came in second overall to the Grand Champion (Barbera by Jeff Runquist). The judges were reportedly so upset at the lack of a Best Rose Award that the competition created one!

This is just one more story of how wines from the Leelanau Peninsula are standing tall when compared to the best wines in the world.

Since the picture is tall, I'll say that you can tast wines from Shawn and Leelanau's other excellent winemakers at the Spring Sip & Savor wine tour this weekend. You also have a chance to win prizes including a fabulous vacation package in the PJ Contest!

The Downtown Traverse City Association will host the spring Downtown Art Walk on Friday, May 1, from 5 – 9 pm. Downtown Traverse City invites the public to enjoy art, refreshments, food and music while supporting our local and regional artists. Visit participating locations and check out the art scene from oil paintings to glass bead making along Front St., Cass, Union and the Warehouse District.

Refreshments will be offered at various locations throughout the evening. Purchase a commemorative wine glass and enjoy local wines with a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Downtown Public Art projects. The public has an opportunity to participate in a Public Art project throughout the evening, featuring a water theme.

Participating galleries will also be offering prize drawings throughout the evening. Walking maps will be available at each gallery and the Downtown Traverse City office.

Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery was founded in 2005 by Patti and Mark Carlson and opened on September 6th, 2008.

Located just north and west of Suttons Bay, the 30 acre estate is nestled among cherry and apple orchards where the vineyard is planted in rich loamy soil with a gentle slope on high ground. The tasting room opens to a deck through double French doors where there are tree-top level views overlooking scenic Leelanau County.

Their goal is to produce exceptional wines through small batch fermentation and attention to detail with a passion for rustic elegance and to share our experience with our friends and guests.

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

The event will kickoff  with a complimentary Saturday morning mixer featuring coffee from Higher Grounds, tea from Light of Day and bakery items from 9-10:30 at the Silver Tree Deli in Suttons Bay .

For added fun, event participants are encouraged to keep their pajamas on when they set out in the morning and try to win one of the prizes that many of the wineries will be offering. The grand prize consists of two nights lodging at The Homestead in Glen Arbor during any season of the year (subject to availability), dinner for two with appetizers and desert at La Becasse in Maple City, Sunday brunch for two at the Bluebird in Leland, a wood fire pizza from Black Star Farms, perfect for lunch or light meal out on the trail and a fabulous gift basket filled with Higher Grounds Coffee, Light of Day Tea, Chocolate Covered Cherries and 2 Harvest Stompede Tickets.

Some of the individual PJ contest themes at the wineries include:

Bel Lago – Most Eye Opening
Black Star Farms – Best Bed Head
Chateau de Leelanau – Most Outrageous
Chateau Fontaine – Playboy Mansion
Cherry Republic – Best Cherry Colored PJs and a discount off purchases to anyone wearing PJs
Ciccone – Most Awesome 80s PJs.
Gill's Pier – Ugliest Flannels
Good Harbor – Craziest Slippers
L. Mawby – Most Adorable Couple
Longview – Best Historical/Traditional PJ (loose interpretation, so anything from
vintage footies to nightshirts and caps).
Shady Lane Cellars – Best "Green" PJs
Willow – Best Jungle theme
Silver Leaf Vineyard – Most Worn & Loved, Best Wine-Themed & Most Manly Macho

Food and wine pairings will be served at each winery. Examples include:

Black Star Farms – Late Harvest Crepes with an Apple Formage Filling with Sirius Maple
Chateau Fontaine – Kentucky Burgoo, a traditional sort of stew served at the Kentucky Derby
Ciccone – Oriental spinach salad and fortune cookies paired with a 2007 Gewurztraminer
Good Neighbor Organic – Organic Veggies and Pork served with various dips
L. Mawby – J'adore – Thai Spicy Hot
Longview – Serving a dry Riesling and crab stuffed mushrooms
Silver Leaf Vineyard – Yummy Granola clusters and Racine’s very own, authentic Danish “Kringle” paired with and featuring our “Chafia Cherry” wine.
Willow – Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta paired with a Pinot Gris

Tickets, available through lpwines.com, are just $30 and include wine and food pairings at each winery, a limited edition LPVA glass coffee cup and a $10 gift certificate, that can be used at any LPVA winery!

Visit the Spring Sip & Savor page for complete event details and to order your tickets!

Spring Sip & Savor has been designed to provide seasoned wine trail guests or first time visitors with a truly memorable experience that will allow them to celebrate spring, indulge their senses and learn more about Leelanau Peninsula wines. Most importantly it is an event that delivers fun!

Tickets are just $30 and in addition to wine and food pairings at each winery, they include a commemorative LPVA glass coffee cup and a $10 gift certificate that can be used at any LPVA winery!

Visitors may tour up to 8 wineries on Saturday from 11:00 – 5:00 p.m. and up to 8 wineries on Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Create a little heaven of your own. Pair Tender Ridge Angus beef with your favorite Leelanau Peninsula wine tonight!

Tender Ridge Angus beef is available at your local Glen’s Markets and Family Fare Supermarkets in Michigan.

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

Christopher Lopez, Manager at Black Star Farms adds:

"How often have you sat down for breakfast in your pajamas and wondered, what wine goes best with eggs and bacon? My guess is not often enough. So come on in and show off your best or worst, set of pajamas and find your pairing. Because really, what goes better together than wine and pajamas."

The Spring Sip & Savor wine trail event happens on May 2nd & 3rd, 2009 throughout the Leelanau Peninsula. Tickets are just $30 and include a commemorative LPVA glass coffee cup and a $10 gift certificate, that can be used at any LPVA winery!

For complete information and to purchase tickets please visit our Spring Sip & Savor page.

Photo credit: "Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance" ~ Benjamin Franklin by zakzorah

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

SWISS ONION SOUP

Yield 5 Cups

Ingredients
2 Cups Water
5 Tblsp Butter
1 Tsp Garlic Puree
3 Cups Onion – thinly sliced
¾ Tsp Dry Mustard
½ Tsp Salt
3 Tblsp Flour
1 ½ Cups Milk – Scalded
1 ½ Cups Swiss Cheese – Shredded
½ Tsp Horseradish
1 Tblsp Dry Sherry
½ Tsp Black Pepper – Ground
½ Tsp Soy Sauce
3 Drops Tabasco Sauce
2 Shakes Worcestershire Sauce

Preparation
In a saucepan, combine water, 2 Tblsp Butter, garlic puree, onion slices, mustard and salt; cover and simmer over low heat until onions are tender, about 20 minutes. Scald milk. In a separate saucepan, make a roux by melting remaining 3 Tblsp butter and stirring in flour, cooking while stirring over low heat for 5 minutes. Add scalded milk to roux, mixing well to make a medium thick cream sauce. Then slowly add shredded cheese to sauce, mixing until melted. Add horseradish and sherry to cheese sauce and combine the cheese sauce with contents of saucepan containing onions, mixing thoroughly. Mix in pepper, soy, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauces.

Hints
Scalded milk must be hot when added to the roux, to make cream sauce thicken quickly.

This soup may be stored frozen and sealed for 2-3 months.

Food: Wild mushroom, goat and raclette cheese wrapped in a puffed pastry

Shawn Walters Winemaker

Quote from Scott Harvey of Scott Harvey Wines – Napa Valley, CA

"I'm proud to be associated with one of the new stars of American winemaking. In my opinion Shawn Walters is going to be the winemaker who will end up putting Michigan wines on the map!"

Learn more about Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery.

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.

Food: Cherry marinaded pork tenderloin with cherry chutney

Why: I wanted to use local cherries and cherry wine in the preparation, and offer a white wine to compliment the pork, "the other white meat". Sometimes folks tend to only think of white wines with chicken and fish, and I think that they will be pleasantly surprised by the combination.

Alan & Linda Eaker started their vineyard in 1998. With Longview Winery, he crafts award-winning wines that fulfill their vision of "the long view."

Learn more about Longview Vineyard & Winery.

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.