Last weekend, we were invited to attend the Leelanau Peninsula Vintner’s Association Media Weekend. Never ones to turn down an opportunity to head north and drink fantastic Michigan wine, Audrey and I gladly accepted.

In an effort to introduce even more people to the great wine Michigan has to offer, we decided to invite some friends who had never gone wine tasting in Michigan to join us.  It’s always fun to introduce new people to Michigan wine, and see their eyes light up when they realize how good it is.

The Players:

  • Andrew Pritchard is our go-to wine authority when we want advice on international wines. He’s tasted some Michigan wines, but not a lot.
  • Marisa (and her husband John) were pretty new to wine tasting in general, and had never been at all in Michigan.
  • Audrey Walker – co-founder of Drink Michigan, wine lover extraordinaire
  • Trisha Verma – co-founder of Drink Michigan. Fairly certain at least 50% of my blood is actually wine.

The Path:

We started at Black Star Farms, then headed to the Northern Wine Loop, where we visited Gill’s Pier, Verterra, the new Boathouse Vineyards, and 45 North. Some also visited Chateau de Leelanau, 2 Lads (Old Mission), and Chateau Chantal (Old Mission) the following day. Some of us also attended the LPVA Media Reception on Saturday evening, and had a chance to taste wines from all over the peninsula.

The Recap:

Favorite new wine tried:

  • Marisa – Black Star Farms Cabernet Franc
  • Andrew – Black Star Farms Sparkling Wine. Absolutely the best Michigan sparkling wine I have tasted. It’s easily the equal of any comparably priced sparkling wine from California, Oregon, or Washington.
  • Honorable mention to Chateau de Leelanau’s Hard Apple Cider. Maybe it was drinking it while picnicking in the middle of the vineyard, but CDL’s cider was awesome! Not too sweet, clean, crisp, and very refreshing.
  • Trisha – Verterra Unwooded Chardonnay. If you know me, you know I’m not usually a white wine drinker. Verterra’s Unwooded Chard changed my mind. I bought more bottles of that then I did anything else this trip.
  • Audrey – 2009 Vintner’s Select from BlackStar Farms – so smooth!

 

Favorite tasting room:

  • Marisa – Either Black Star Farms or 2 Lads Winery
  • Andrew – 45 North. Somehow it manages to be chic and modern, and rustic and barn-like at one and the same time.
  • Trisha – This is tough, but I have to say 45 North. It’s an absolutely gorgeous space. Honorable mention to Verterra – having your tasting room in Fishtown is pretty hard to beat!
  • Audrey – The new Boathouse Winery – excited for the summer when boats will be able to dock right up to the winery and patrons will be able to sample wine on the patio.

 

Favorite tasting experience:

  • Marisa – Chateau de Leelanau tour
  • Andrew – Black Star Farms. So many wines to taste your way through, and very knowledgeable staff (especially Chris!).
  • Trisha – Hands down, Black Star Farms wins this one. Chris, the tasting room manager, is the best there is. I haven’t had a better tasting experience anywhere in Michigan.
  • Audrey – Matt from Chateau de Leelanau took us off-roading through his vineyards for a picnic. Had their amazing hard cider and sandwiches from the Cheese Shanty in Leeland.

 

Biggest surprise wine/winery:

  • Marisa – They were all a great surprise. Having never really wine tasted, we weren’t sure what to expect. Everyone was great, and we got to learn a lot about different kinds of wine.
  • Andrew – Verterra. Some great wines, especially the dry Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay.
  • Trisha – Gill’s Pier. I hadn’t tried their wine before, and wasn’t sure what to expect. What I tasted was pleasantly surprising – they deserve a lot more attention than what they’re getting now.
  • Audrey – Tasted the new line from bluStone Vineyards, which will be opening a tasting room in July. Loved their Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer 

 

All in all, a great time was had by all. When you combine the Leelanau Peninsula wines, the Traverse city area, sunny days, and good friends, it’s pretty hard to come away with anything but positive memories.

Check out some of the pictures we took during our trip! What’s your favorite Leelanau Peninsula winery to visit?

 

*full disclosure: The LPVA provided accommodations and complimentary tasting passes. All opinions expressed are our own.

Guest Author
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