July 28, 2014 (Lake Leelanau, MI) – Leelanau Peninsula’s newest winery, Aurora Cellars, opened its doors on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 7788 East Horn Road in Lake Leelanau. Joining the Northern Loop of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, Aurora Cellars is the 25th winery along the trail. The winery will participate in all trail activities including the popular wine tour events, making its trail event debut during the Harvest Stompede on Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7, 2014.
Owners David and Faye Mathia opened the boutique winery in the former Circa Estate Winery facility, which closed its doors in January 2013. The Old Worldinspired winery sits atop a hill surrounded by estate grapevines. To launch the winery successfully, brother and sister duo Sam and Taylor Simpson of Good Harbor Vineyards of Lake Leelanau are consulting the Mathias in all aspects of the wine business.
A fresh, new look inside the tasting room encourages guests to head to the bar to sip from a selection of 10 wines ranging from dry to sweet and including both white and red. Varieties are Cabernet Franc, Radiance (house red), Brut, Brut Rosé, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, semi-dry Riesling, Luminous (sweet blend), Cherry Wine and a hard cider. The wines are priced from $12 to $32 per bottle.
Outside, an outdoor patio provides a relaxing atmosphere to linger over a glass of wine and a small plate of fresh, local fare. The Mathias are partnering with Leelanau businesses to provide local products to enhance the tasting experience. Delicious options include smoked whitefish pâté from Carlson’s Fisheries of Leland, hummus from the Redheads of Lake Leelanau, handmade chocolates from Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate of Empire and Fromage Blanc Herb Spread from Leelanau Cheese Company of Suttons Bay. Options range from $5 to $9 per plate.
Aurora Cellars is also available as a venue for small weddings and events for up to 50 people. For more information about Aurora Cellars, visit www.auroracellars.com.
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The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association (LPVA) is a member-driven, winery association founded in 1998. The mission of the LPVA is to spread the word about all the good things happening along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. The trail is divided into three mini-trails for easy touring: the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop.
The Leelanau Peninsula AVA is home to 25 wineries located within diverse microclimates uniquely suited for a variety of wine grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed varietals are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. The local wines continue to achieve national and international accolades with each passing vintage.
For more information, visit www.lpwines.com.
