Leelanau.com Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Festival happens August 14, 2010!

The annual Leelanau Peninsula  Wine, Food, & Music Festival will be held this Saturday, August 14 from noon to 6 PM at Haserot Park in Northport. The event features wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, music from the Thirsty Perch Blues Band and  food from area restaurants.  The $15 admissions includes souvenir glass and 2 wine-tasting tickets.  For more information visit the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce or call 231.271.9895.

Also in Northport on Saturday is the annual Northport Dog Parade, which starts promptly at 1 PM. The theme for the 2010 Dog Parade in Northport is the I Want to Be in that Number When the Dogs Come Barking In". The parade is open to all, but only those who have registered will be eligible for prizes. Advance registration is $5 and is available in Northport at Dog Ears Books, The Pot of Gold Re-sale Shop and the Old Mill Pond Inn. Late registration begins at noon on parade day and is $10 per dog. Judging takes place at the Mill Pond before the parade. Bring the kids, the dogs & the entire family.  Prizes for all!  For more information, please call David Chrobak at 231-386-7341.

The 2010 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival takes place on August 21, 2010 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

The festival features 22 wineries from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission and Traverse City along with food from Leelanau and Traverse City restaurants. The event was created by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association to showcase the wine, art, food & music of our region. In addition to great food and wine, 3 arts organizations: Art Center Traverse City, Crystal Lake Art Center and the Leelanau Community Cultural Center have teamed up with the festival to create gallery tents featuring the work of over 60 area artists for show and sale.

Add a fantastic slate of live entertainment headlined by Michigan blues legend Larry McCray, reknown folk performers May Erlewine and Seth Bernard, Song of the Lakes Trio featuring Sue Wood and Michigan blues phenom Greg Nagy, a 2010 Blues Music Award nominee in the category of 'Best New Artist Debut'. The event will also feature original performance dance from several dance companies and more happenings to delight the eye and ear!

Advance tickets are $20 each, four for $60 or $25 on the day of the event. They are available online at traversecitywinefestival.com, area wineries, Turtle Creek Casino in Acme and the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau in Traverse City. Also cbe sure to consider some of the great packages offered by area hotels & resorts!

Food & Wine

The photo is by Jesamin Califf – many more in her Traverse City Wine & Art Festival 2009 slideshow!

The Glen Arbor Art Association hosts the 2nd annual Plein Air Paint Out and Wet Paint Sale/Reception this Saturday, August 7.

Plein-air painting refers to the technique of painting out of doors which was initiated by the French Impressionists in the mid-nineteenth century.  The challenge is to paint or draw directly and spontaneously from nature even has those conditions are constantly changing.  Participating artists will start the day by having their canvases or papers date stamped early in the morning then scattering throughout the area to begin a day of plein-air painting. At the end of the day artists return with their completed works ready for display at a wet painting sale and reception.

The artists return with their paintings late in the afternoon and volunteers scramble to install the works for the juried exhibit and sale.  This year's juror is Marcia Bellinger, former owner of Bellstone Gallery in Traverse City.  There will be three cash awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The public is invited to the 5:30-7:30 sale and reception which offers the opportunity to purchase one of the paintings, sample wines provided by the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival and enjoy food tasting.  "This is when the fun begins for those of us who’d love to purchase a work of art that captures the beauty of this area," said Linda Young, GAAA President. "The works are sold on a 'first come' basis so there is a scramble to select and purchase paintings. Volunteers work quickly to attach red sold dots. Forty percent of the sales benefit GAAA programs."

"It is an exciting two-part event," continued Young, "a day in the county for the artists and then the sale and reception where we can all celebrate and enjoy the beauty and bounty of Leelanau County.  Last summer’s Paint Out brought a really good response from artists and the community so we know this year is going to be a fun day for all."

A $10 per adult donation for entry to the exhibit and sale is requested to programming. To register or for more information please go to www.glenarborart.org, or call 231-334-6112.

This Friday, July 16th from 6 – 7:30, the second Traverse City Wine & Art Festival kicks off with a Launch Party at InsideOut Gallery, downtown Traverse City at 211 Garland Street. The free TCWF Launch Party will feature wine tasting, multimedia entertainment, giveaways from event sponsors and a one-night only chance to purchase wine festival tickets at a discounted rate!

There will be information available regarding the festival, upcoming promotional wine pours from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission and Traverse City along with eats, drinks and merriment. Visit the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Launch Party on Facebook and share it with your friends!

As an added entertainment bonus the Inside Out Gallery will be hosting the eclectic and eccentric Fishtank Ensemble who are in the middle of their never-ending tour to support their brand new CD, “Woman in Sin”. Leaders in high-energy, cross-pollinated gypsy music, they bring their unique blend of Romanian, Gypsy jazz, Flamenco, Balkan, Turkish and Tango influenced music from California to you. All attendees of the Launch Party will receive the advance ticket rate for this one-of-a-kind show!

Food For Thought's annual Green Cuisine is a celebration that seeks to bring more awareness to local food and sustainable business practices. Green Cuisine is held annually the third Wednesday in July (next Wed – July 14) from 5-8 PM at the Food For Thought Farm, 10704 Oviatt Rd. Honor, MI 49640. Visitors will be able to sample some of the best products of local food and beverage artisans, tour Food For Thought’s organic farm and green buildings as they socialize, learn and have fun in a beautiful setting.

Green Cuisine is free BUT YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER – Register online here.  Children are welcome! For more information, please call 231-326-5444 or visit the Food for Thought web site.

FOOD/BEVERAGE VENDORS La Becasse Oryana Higher Grounds Trading Co. Chateau Chantal Black Star Farms Cherry Republic Ciccone Vineyard and Winery Shady Lane Vineyards Trattoria Stella Short's Brewery Light of Day Organics L. Mawby Vineyard Shetler Dairy Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery Honor Family Market Good Neighbor Organic Winery and Vineyard Stone House Bread Naturally Nutty Nut Butters Cook's House Bel Lago Vineyard Right Brain Brewery Siren Hall Lori's Salsa and Hummus Del Sol Land of Goshen 45 North Winery

GREEN LIFESTYLE / AWARENESS Green Island / Eco Lunch Gear Wings of Wonder Salon Verve Deep Wood Press Indira Skin Products Run Across Ethiopia Recycle Chicken Bay Area Recycling 9 Bean Rows CSA Providence Farms CSA Ware Farm CSA

On Fridays we'll post our weekly email newsletter in case you're not on our list. If you do want to join our list, just enter your email in the form at the top right.We promise we won't share your email address with anyone! (more…)

The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association is debuting a new event this month. The LPVA Small Plates will take place on Saturday, June 19 from 6-9 PM and will feature seven of member wineries offering a full glass of wine paired with a well-presented and substantial tapas dish. There will be three seating's at each winery, 6-7, 7-8 and 8-9. Tickets are $10 and very limited for each time slot. Scroll down to see a list of participating wineries and their partnering chefs. Purchase tickets!

Visit lpwines.com and sign up for their newsletter to keep abreast of all the LPVA news and events, such as the upcoming Traverse City Wine & Art Festival on Saturday, August 21. Tomorrow, the LPVA will be giving away a pair of tickets to the Leland Wine & Food Festival, happening this Saturday, so if you aren't a subscriber, do so today for a chance to win.

LPVA Small Plates Wineries

Black Star Farms
Wine Pour: 2007 Arcturos Pinot Noir.
Food Pairing: Rack of Lamb prepared by the Hearth & Vine Cafe
Tickets: Limited to 20 persons per hour

Chateau Fontaine
Wine Pour: A new release of 2007 Pinot Noir
Food Pairing: Duck Ravioli, with a white truffle broth
Local Chef: Randy Chamberlin from blu
Tickets: Limited to 10 persons per hour

Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery
Wine Pour: 2008 Riesling
Wine Description: The Gill’s Pier 2008 Riesling is a luscious semi-dry wine made from grapes grown on our Leelanau Peninsula vineyard. This vintage is zesty, crisp and fresh. A lively fruit aroma starts the experience. The middle palate unearths lemon and lime and then melds into a finish of green apples.
Food Pairing: Fresh Local Spring Rolls (Choice of Vegetable or Pork) ***Fresh local herbs and early vegetables will be featured in the spring rolls***
Dipping Sauce Selection: Thai Peanut, Ginger Lime Chili and Mustard Honey Cilantro
Local Chef: Kristin Karam Owner of “k2 Events and Edibles”
Gill’s Pier has featured Riesling with Asian influenced pairings in the past and discovered that it is one of the most popular food and wine pairing experiences for customers. The novice to the expert “foodie” is drawn into the nuances of the hot and spicy meets the fruity and zesty. It is a pleasure to observe the pairing and then listen to comments after. A great East meets West opportunity!!!
Tickets: Limited to 20 persons per hour

L. Mawby
Wine Pour: The wine is a duo, two small glasss, one each of Blanc de Blanc & Blanc de Noir
Food Pairing: Shrimp & Chicken Veloute over Lobster Pillows with Asparagus, Shitake & Red Peppers
Local Chef: Matt from Silvertree Deli
Tickets: Limited to 40 persons per hour

Leelanau Cellars
Wine Pour: 2009 Pinot Grigio
Wine Description: A lively acidity and pleasing integration of aromas and flavors makes this Pinot Grigio a great choice for hot summer days and pairing with lighter-style meals. This wine is crisp, delicate, and clean. There are plenty of aromas of honeysuckle and fresh ripe peaches on the nose and flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and kiwi fruit present on the palate. This is a perfect wine to enjoy before a meal, with an appetizer course, and paired along side lighter-style dishes of seafood and mild fish. Be sure to try this wine with smoked salmon, mixed green salads, grilled shrimp, lemon chicken, tabbouleh salad, olives, and assorted cheeses. $12.00 per bottle.
Food Pairing: A freshly grilled prawn served over fresh dressed mixed greens with a cherry barbeque glaze.
Prepared by: Chef David Waskiewicz of Knot just a Bar…The plan is to have him grilling outdoors on or near our patio!
Tickets: Limited to 40 persons per hour. We will have our outdoor patio open for seating (weather permitting). If the weather is bad, we will be set up in the tasting room for each seating.
Link to the restaurant, Knot Just a Bar: www.knotjustabar.com

Shady Lane Cellars
Wine Pour: 2007 Semi- Dry Reisling
Food Pairing: Minced Chicken Lettuce wraps with shitake mushroom, Chinese vegetables, hoisin sauce, and crisp lettuce jammers.
Local Chef: From the restaurant Red Ginger

Silver Leaf
Wine Pour: Pinot Gris
Wine Description: Dry white wine with a soft citrus fruits and supple mouth feel
Food Pairing: Pan seared sea scallops with mango salsa
Food Description: Large sea scallops pan seared in butter topped with a mango salsa
Local Chef: John Piombo / Executive chef at The Homestead Resort's "Nona's"
Additional information: Silver Leaf Vineyard has recently introduced their Pinot Gris and is offering their new wine along with "small plates" diner offering June 19th.
Their Pinot Gris is a dry white wine with citrus aromas and flavors and soft and supple mouth feel. They have paired up with The Homestead Resort's "Nona's" restaurant and Executive Chef, John Piombo. John is making a special creation for the event, "Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Mango Salsa". Silver Leaf will be offering their Pinot Gris along with the dish.
Tickets: Limited to 20 persons per hour

The Leland Wine & Food Festival is a northern Michigan tradition held on the second Saturday in June (June 12, 2010). Noon til 6pm.

Come enjoy a day near the Leland Harbor and Leland's historic Fishtown tasting wines from local wineries and tasting the specialties from local restaurants and vendors.

Listen to live music in the park all day and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

Admission is $12 and includes an etched wine glass and two tickets for wine tasting. Additional wine tasting tickets are available.

Food vendors accept cash only.

Participating Wineries and Food Vendors:

Wineries
Bel Lago
Black Star Farms
Chateau Fontaine
Ciccone Vineyards
45 North
Gill's Pier Winery
Good Harbor Vineyards
Raftshol
Silver Leaf
Willow
Bowers Harbor
Chateau Chantal
Chateau Grand Traverse
Peninsula Winery
Circa
Chateau de Leelanau

Local Beer: Shorts Brewing

Food Vendors
Bluebird Restaurant
Leland Lodge
Corky’s (Vineyard Inn)
Plevas
Kejara’s Bridge
Village Inn
Drive Thru BBQ
The Cove
Martha’s Leelanau Table
Leelanau Cheese
Village Cheese Shanty
Stone House Bread

View Photos from the Leland Wine & Food Festival

For more information on Leelanau County's wineries, visit the Leelanau Peninsula Vintner's Association site at LPWines.com

Photo credit: On the Lawn by farlane

From the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association:

Once again the LPVA gets KUDOS from a regional writer! Bill Ging of the Oakland Press says that, "we are lucky to have one of the best stay-cations in the country. It’s called the Leelanau Wine Trail." Bill and his wife visited eight of our 18 wineries. Bill writes about Tandem Cider:

Tandem Ciders is one of the most unique stops on the Leelanau wine trail. Tandem Ciders specializes in artisanal hard ciders and some very interesting small plates. Tandem Ciders is trying to establish the European tradition of hard cider in Leelanau County. They use Michigan apples in their ciders and work closely with neighboring growers that produce the fruit.

Read about Bill's visit to the other wineries in Part One and Part Two of Bill Ging's Who needs Napa when you've got Leelanau?

From the Leelanau Peninsula Vinters Association:

Michael Brneton, wine writer for City Pulse in Lansing, spent some time with a couple of the LPVA winemakers, Charlie Edson from Bel Lago and Leel Lute from Black star Farms. In his article, he describes some of his favorites, like Bel Lago 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling, which won Best Pacific Rim White Wine, at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. He confirms that the tropical fruit flavors, soft, viscous mouth feel, tangy acidity on the back palate, and long, lingering finish! And says, "What a testament to the ever evolving quality of Leelanau Peninsula grape growing and wine making, and international recognition of that fact!"

Read the praise that he gave all the wines that he tasted at Bel Lago and Black Star Farms From Leelanau with love at City Pulse.