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 Tucked away amidst the vineyards and beaches of northwest Michigan's Leelanau County is The Vineyard Inn on Suttons Bay, a romantic escape conveniently situated right in the middle of the Leelanau Peninsula's burgeoning wine region.
For 2006, The Vineyard Inn is becoming even more "wine friendly" than before. The first of two big announcements is the opening of a new Beach Bistro & Wine Bar on the property. "We plan to offer a large selection of wines by the glass & bottle, including full flights of some of our local favorites," says Leonard. Northern Michigan's first waterfront wine bar, expected to host a grand opening in late-summer, hopes to offer special tastings with local winemakers and fun & lively evening "wine hours" with live entertainment. With its waterfront setting, outdoor seating and casual atmosphere, The Vineyard Inn's Beach Bistro & Wine Bar promises to be a dynamic addition to Leelanau County's already impressive array of food & beverage establishments.  The wine bar's diverse wine list will feature house wines from nearby French Valley Vineyards, located on French Road on the west side of Lake Leelanau. The vineyard has been in production for four years, with the wines being produced  and bottled by award winning winemaker, Charlie Edson, of Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery. For its introduction, the French Valley Vineyards label will initially offer a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from 2003 & 2004, as well as a 2004 Merlot and a 2005 sparkling wine, bottled by Larry Mawby, winner of numerous national and international awards for his sparkling wines. The wines will also be available for purchase by the bottle or case.The Inn itself will also be getting a fresh look for the upcoming season. The space occupied by the lobby and wine bar will be nearly doubled in size to accommodate a new bar, fireplace, kitchen facilities, lobby area and retail space. Improvements are also being made to the guest accommodations, with several of the guest suites receiving a thorough update, including new kitchens in the larger one and two-bedroom suites. Two new Honeymoon Suites will welcome newlyweds and romantics celebrating weddings, anniversaries or other special occasions. Speaking of romance, The Vineyard Inn continues to gain recognition as one of northern Michigan's favorite waterfront wedding destinations. The large manicured lawn, which leads down to the sandy beach and the blue waters of Suttons Bay, makes for a stunning setting for ceremonies and receptions for up to 130 guests.  All-inclusive Sweet & Simple wedding packages are designed for couples that are looking for a romantic destination for their waterfront wedding without the expense and logistics of planning a reception. The officiator, flowers, wedding cake, music and even a champagne toast are all included in the price, which starts at only $995 for a private beachfront ceremony "Just for Two." Packages are also available for couples to "Share their joy" with up to 50 guests.Couples planning larger weddings of up to 130 guests opt for the Sky's the Limit package, which allows the newlyweds to invite family & friends to join them under a beautiful white event tent for a formal dinner & reception following their waterfront ceremony. The Bride & Groom rent the entire Inn, which sleeps up to 40 guests, for 2-4 nights (lodging requirements vary according to season) creating a fun, lively atmosphere that turns their wedding into a complete vacation experience. With the wineries, beaches, lighthouses, Sleeping Bear Dunes and other attractions, thereÕs plenty to keep family & friends occupied. To learn more about weddings at The Vineyard Inn, visit www.vininn.com/weddings.  Also on the docket for 2006 is the addition of the region's first luxury wine tour service. Guests will hop aboard a Mercedes "luxury limo coach" for a guided and narrated tour of local vineyards and wineries. This unique luxury vehicle features large windows for sight-seeing, a bar, two  flat-screen TV's with in-motion satellite and leather interior with a fiber-optic light show. Tours visit wineries on the Leelanau or Old Mission peninsulas, where guests enjoy the hospitality of the vintners and have the opportunity to taste and purchase their wines. The limo coach also has a storage area with ample room for cases of wine.Half-day and full-day tours are available for groups of six or more. Couples or individuals can participate in scheduled weekly tours by making advance reservations. Last minute reservations and walk-ins are welcome, based on availability. For special events like the Leland Wine Festival or the seasonal Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail Events, The Vineyard Inn will offer special packages that include transportation by limo coach. Many excursions will include stops at out-of-the way restaurants and shops or side-trips to secret beaches. The limo coach may also be booked for private events & tours. No visit to Leelanau County is complete without experiencing the local wineries, and thereÕs no better way to do it than aboard our luxury limo coach! More information can be found at www.traversecitywinetours.com. The Vineyard Inn offers a variety of fun weekend and mid-week packages that make a romantic getaway or special occasion easy and affordable: Wine-Related Packages Leelanau Lovers Weekend  Re-kindle romance with a weekend in Leelanau wine country. Leelanau Lovers Weekend includes:Leelanau Lovers Weekend includes:
 Set out on a progressive adventure in search of the treasures of the "Land of Delight." Using your clues, you'll tour through the Leelanau countryside, stopping at wineries collecting items along the way. The scenic journey culminates in a lovely surprise.Mystery Wine Tour package includes:
 If youÕve ever wanted to experience northwest MichiganÕs wine country from an insiderÕs point of view, or simply wanted to go wine tasting with a designated driver who knows the wine country like the back of his hand, then this is the getaway package for you! Gather a group and kick back in the air-conditioned comfort of our luxury limo coach for a fun-filled guided scenic tour of wine country with our knowledgeable local guides.Sip, Savor, Cruise & Snooze Package includes:
 Tee it up on the fairways of the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, then taste the wines of the region's 15 wineries.Tastings & Tee Times Package includes:
 The Vineyard Inn on Suttons Bay is a waterfront country inn located 1.7 miles north of the village of Suttons Bay and approximately 15 miles north of downtown Traverse City. Featuring lake view suites, a bistro & wine bar and a large waterfront lawn and beach, The Vineyard Inn is a romantic getaway and vacation destination for couples, business travelers and groups, hosting weddings, corporate events and private celebrations from April through October each year, serving visitors to northwest Michigan with excellent service & comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices in a fun & relaxing atmosphere.For more information, please visit www.vininn.com. |
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