 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
See below for what happened......... |
|
|
|
Northwest Michigan Wines We begin the new year celebrating nearly 40 years of Vinifera wines from the Northwest Michigan Appellations. Lake Michigan surrounding our beautiful finger like penninsulas creates a micro-climate for Vinifera vines to florish. Hard work, commitment, and yes, significant investment over the years led to world class Michigan wines. Come join the celebration as we sample 7 of our own, fine, home state wines. The Wines Apéritif: L. Mawby Blanc de Blancs
2010 Left Foot Charley Pinot Gris 2010 Bowers Harbor “Unwooded” Chardonnay 2009 Chateau Fontaine Chardonnay 2010 Chateau Grand Traverse “Whole Cluster” Riesling 2009 Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir 2006 Willow Pinot Noir “Magnum”
Special cheeses and breads will accompany the wines.
Please bring your own glasses & pens. No smoking or strong fragrances, please. Attendees recognize they will consume alcohol and assume responsibility of having done so. Attendance will be limited to the first 32. Members $21.00 Guests $25.00
|
|
|
|
What Happened......... |
|
|
|
This tasting was organized and presented by Frank and Jackie Carson. Frank is very familiar with the Leelanau region near Traverse City, Michigan. He selected wines that demonstrate the styles and character found there. He gave a very good history of the region, naming the founders and how they brought grapes and wine to Northwest Michigan, often against the advice of experts. He discussed four pioneers - Bernard Rink, Edward O’Keefe, Larry Mawby, and Bruce Simpson. Bernie Rink was the first. He acquired French Hybrid grapes from Phil Wagner in 1964, experimented to find the best varieties of them for his vineyard, and opened the first winery in the Leelanau Peninsula in 1976. He continues today and is the only maker of Soleil Blanc anywhere. Ed O’Keefe, in 1973, felt that vinifera could be grown on the Old Mission Peninsula, and made great efforts to do so, despite discouraging expert advice. He succeeded after much experimentation to find and develop clones that would survive. Before then, little vinifera was grown anywhere in Michigan. Chateau Grand Traverse was bonded in 1976, the first on the Old Mission. The Old Mission Appellation arose from his efforts. Larry Mawby began planting grapes in 1973 and bonded his winery in 1978, using hybrids. He also began to grow Chardonnay. He became interested in sparkling wines, developed great expertise and is recognized nationally as a fine maker. He now makes nothing else. Bruce Simpson of Good Harbor, opened his winery in 1980. He, with Mawby, has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growing of grapes in the area and its reputation. They, with Bernie Rink petitioned for the Lake Leelanau Appellation. See the links below to read the histories of each of these wineries. Today there are 25 wineries in the Leelanau and Old Mission appellations out of 85 wineries in Michigan. In the last Michigan wines competition, the northwest wineries won over a third of the ribbons. There are many excellent wineries and vineyards in Michigan. The Northwest has many of the best and is a beautiful area to visit. Also, folks who wish to stay overnight at a winery location can do so at several places. Our members enjoyed the wines, several of which were prizewinners. They also appreciated the cheeses, selected by Jackie, Williams Sharp Cheddar, Reny Picot Gouda, and Reny Picot Mantoro, with fresh French bread. Thanks to Frank for the research and the stories, and the good information on where to go in winery visiting in Northwest Michigan.
Histories of Wineries: http://www.michiganwines.com/page.php?menu_id=17
Touring and Places to Stay: See the Spend the Night section in this link for three wineries in the Leelanau and Old Mission area. http://www.michiganwines.com/page.php?menu_id=102
Appellations and Wineries in the Northwest: http://www.michiganwines.com/page.php?page_id=179
http://www.wineriesofoldmission.com/
|