A Wine Tour Over Two Weekends
Twenty-two wineries on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula are gearing up for the region’s largest wine tour.
“Toast the Season” is a self-guided tour along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, held the first two weekends of November.
This year’s event is November 2 and 3, 2013, plus November 9 and 10, 2013. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the two Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on the Sundays. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple and are available online.
And, take note Road Trips Foodies, they do sell out.
Participants will receive a commemorative wine glass, a holiday ornament and a gift bag featuring Leelanau products. At each of the participating wineries, attendees enjoy a special wine paired with some sweet and some savory dishes.
Food Pairings:
*Brengman Brothers Winery of Traverse City: Grilled Chicken marinated in Verjus paired with Refosco ’09
*Chateau de Leelanau of Suttons Bay: Willies Chili paired with Solem Farm Red
*Chateau Fontaine of Lake Leelanau: Pork Foccacia topped with Cherry-Apple Chutney or Basil Cream, along with a veggie option, paired with 2012 Pinot Noir
*Cherry Republic Winery in Glen Arbor: Ribs and other appetizers paired with a wide selection of cherry wines
*Ciccone Vineyards & Winery of Suttons Bay: Polenta paired with Cabernet Franc
*Good Harbor Vineyards: Chicken Jalepeno Soup paired with Trillium
*Good Neighbor Organic of Northport: White Wine Béchamel Sauce with Three Cheese Macaroni, Spinach, Tomatoes and Chicken paired with Pinot Noir
*L. Mawby of Suttons Bay: Nature’s Treat Gourmet Apple Slices with Aged White Cheddar paired with Jadore
*Leelanau Cellars of Omena: Wild Mushroom Brie Soup paired with Reserve Chardonnay
*Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay: Pasta Bolognese paired with 2012 Cabernet Franc
*Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery in Suttons Bay: Mac -n- Cheese paired with their Pinot Noir
*Verterra Winery of Leland: Weekend 1: Chargrilled Pizzetta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Fresh Spinach, Garlic Feta and Mozzarella paired with Chaos Red Cuvee or Pinot Grigio and Weekend 2: local Whitefish/Smoked Trout Chowder with local New Potatoes paired with Pinot Grigio or Chaos Red Cuvee
*Willow Vineyard of Suttons Bay: Pretzel-Crusted Pumpkin Bars with Maple Fondue paired with 2012 Pinot Gris
“Toast the Season” is sponsored by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association (LPVA), a 501c3 founded in 1998 as a collaboration of regional winemakers. The LPVA consists of 25 winery members located in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is the state’s oldest and largest. The purpose of the association is to promote regional wines and wine destinations along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.
