Charlevoix
NORTHPORT LELAND SUTTONS BAY Elk Rapids Traverse City
2014
Frankfort
131 37
Manton
Manistee
Cadillac
131
37
Baldwin Hart
complementary
W ine Tast ing every friday 2-6
Thistledown Shoppe Fine Yarn & Notions Open 7 Days A Week
“A Wee Shoppe with a Big Heart”
Questions? Call our Wine Expert, Fred 231.873.2826
231-271-YARN (9276)
419 N. St. Joseph (M-22) • Suttons Bay Thistledownshoppe@yahoo.com www.thistledownshoppe.com
Jessica knows peace of mind is priceless. That’s why she insures her car through AAA––where she gets reliable coverage, big savings and excellent service. Drivers who switched last year saved up to $460. By partnering with AAA, I can offer you quality insurance at a great price.
Contact us for a fast, easy, hassle-free quote:
Fountain Office 231-462-3491
Irons Office 231-266-5757
Insurance underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Association family of companies. IA-1584-MI
3750 Polk Rd., Hart , MI 49420
Old Mission Tavern and Bella Galleria OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK DURING THE SUMMER CALL FOR WINTER HOURS
Serving Lunch 11:30-3 p.m. & Dinner 5 p.m. - Until Close 17015 Center Rd. Traverse City, MI 49686. Tel.231.223.7280. Fax.231.223.4150. JOIN US ON FACE BOOK www.oldmissiontavern.com
• watch spirit distillation in the tasting room • free tastings • bottle sales • fresh unique cocktails "In the adventurous spirit of this rugged but refined place, we carefully create these unique spirits, tinged with the clean air and brisk water found only here in Leelanau." -Mark Moseler
112 E. Philip Street (M-204) Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 231-256-2700
september 2014
| Ludington daiLy newS • Road tRiP
The Leelanau Peninsula is one of Michigan’s many wonders. With the 45th parallel running through the region, it’s designed for great wine.
How
september 2014
| Ludington daiLy newS • Road tRiP
to select Many consumers stand in front of a grocery shelf full of wine bottles and wonder, “How do I choose?” The next thought that comes to mind, “Oooo, that label looks nice,” and they buy the wine. An attractive label is a great marketing technique, however, it has nothing to do with a wine.
The cool climate, rich soil and unique geography of a peninsula surrounded by the temperate waters of Lake Michigan create the perfect conditions for growing quality grapes, according to the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
SO, HOW DO YOU SELECT A WINE? First and foremost, don’t fall victim to advice that leads you to a wine that you know you won’t like. If you absolutely know you don’t like dark red full-bodied wine, don’t buy it. Instead, figure out what you enjoy in a wine. If you are buying wine to serve with a meal, select it based on the “weight” and texture of the meal you are serving. Basic rule is the heavier the meal, the bigger your wine needs to be to stand up to the food. In other words, red meats and foods with heavy sauces generally need big red wines such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec or syrah. Big reds and buttery California chardonnays also go well with sauces and pastas that are heavily buttered or creamy.
Fall is a great time to visit the area’s many wineries and so much more. The area is home to picturesque Sleeping Bear Dunes, recently voted “Good Morning America’s” most beautiful place in the country. Stop by and see for yourself.
Lighter meals take lighter and more subtle flavors of wines. Chicken or turkey will often be paired with white wines such as riesling or gewurtztraminer. If you wish to drink a red wine with a lighter meal, think about choosing a pinot noir or an Italian red such as a chianti. The best way to remember a wine you like is to write things down about that wine. This way you can keep track of good wines you drink. By keeping track of these wines, you also have something to use when you want to try a new wine. Most wine shops have knowledgeable owners or employees who can take a description from one wine and make suggestions on other wines that a consumer also will like. Don’t worry about vintage, at least not at the beginning. The rule of thumb is that good winemakers craft good wines even in bad years. So, find good wines and purchase no matter the vintage. When you get to know more about wine, then start thinking about vintage. Try wines you don’t know. There are thousands and thousands of wines out there. Branch out from time to time.
Time was, most table wine in America came from New York and was available in three flavors – red, white and pink. Today, it’s a whole new world.
Grand Prize! Enter to win!
• 3 Hour Tour for 2 People • Dinner for 2 at Boathouse Restaurant • Pick-up/Drop-off at your hotel or any destination in Traverse City
The Boutique
Come and Experience Old Mission Peninsula!
by Mary Kent
LUXURIOUS NECESSITIES
Call for Fall Hours
Chef Gene 231-256-0115
Celebrating 150 years of Leelanau History
THE TASTE OF LEELANAU IN EVERY BOTTLE BOTTLE.
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12 of our 14 wines are 100% Leelanau – grown and bottled here (the other two are 100% Michigan fruit!) Foodies rejoice! Idyll Farms Cheeses, Carr’s, Bello Rustica Crostini, Citerrio & Columbus Salamis & Proscuitto, Marcona Almonds, Zoe Organic & Frantoia Olive Oils, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Plus picnic baskets, wine totes, glasses and goblets, wine and cheese accessories and much more.
Exhibits on Display: • Shipwrecks of the Manitou Passage • Life on North and South Manitou Island • The Hermit of Suttons Bay • Traditional Anishnabeck Arts Collection
LL
107 W. Nagonaba, Northport | 12-6 pm daily | 231.342.6818 | motovinocellars.com
203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI 49654 leelanahistory.org 231-256-7475 Open Wed-Fri 10 am-3pm Saturday 11am-3pm Through October 18th
"The Clothing You Love"
NORTHPORT MI
Open 7 Days
231-386-9809
114 Nagonaba — Downtown Northport [231] 386-7639
Bowers Harbor Vineyards
A SLICE OF PIE PERFECTION
41 N. Eagle Hwy Lake Leelanau
110 WAUKAZOO
St. Ambrose Cellars
LEELANAU PIE & PASTRY eave your heart in ou l y Mi c did
an? hig
Fall Harvest Dinners Served Friday & Saturday Evenings Dine in or on our Patios! 215 N. Mill St. Northport Mi 49670 231-386-7536
Suttons bay, 1 block north of downtown 231.271.2344 • marthasleelanautable.com
Wh ere
Breakfast, Lunch, Pizzeria
Pies, French Pastries, Croissants, Quiche, Chicken or Beef Pot Pies
110 W. River St. • Leland, MI • 231.256.9501 OPEN 7 DAYS • MAY - OCTOBER
A delightfully unique Cafe and Bistro in Suttons Bay, Michigan, European-style cafe where every entree is made from scratch, including the exquisite pastries. Regional cuisine made from the very finest ingredients available in Leelanau County and the surrounding region.
Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan www.bowersharbor.com phone: (231) 223-7615 2896 Bowers Harbor Road, Traverse City
Amazing Wine, Warm Hospitality... Order a plate with heart placement in any town!
Made in Michigan
...whether you explore our tasting room, enjoy an unparalleled evening “Dining in the Vines”, become a member of our Wine Club, or sip our wine at your favorite local restaurant, the pleasure is all ours!
Customize your own tour or choose from one of our fabulous featured tours!
From Classic to Courageous A Women's Destination Shop
www.whalebackinn.com
Gateway to the Grand Traverse Wine Trail
Call to book your tour today! 231-883 TOUR www.oldmissiontours.com
Watch the Sun Rise Over Beautiful Lake Leelanau
Well Appointed Lake View Rooms
Cottage Suites • Free Standing Family Cottage
Open Year Round • Locally Grown & Locally Owned 841 S. Pioneer Rd. Beulah, MI • 231.383.4262 stambrosecellars.com
Whirlpool & Fireplace Units Dock • Sundeck • Relaxing Porch • Play Area Open Year-Round • WiFi
231.256.9090 • 800.942.5322
On Lake Leelanau, Just south of Leland on M22
There is an absolutely exquisite view from any area in the restaurant. Every dining experience at the Boathouse is accompanied by gorgeous West Grand Traverse Bay and sunsets that make for an unforgettable evening.
Nestled on the shores of beautiful Bowers Harbor the Boathouse takes full advantage of its delightful view of the docks and bay with wide-open windows and a summer deck. Indoors, the charming decor invokes a relaxed cottage atmosphere where both the casually and formally attired feel welcome.
102 Mill Street, Northport, orthport, MI 496 49670 9670 70 www.penningtoncollection.com
Open all year.
231-386-9890
p. 231.223.4030 : : f. 231.223.4029 : : 14039 Peninsula Drive : : Traverse City, Michigan, 49686 : : info@boathouseonwestbay.com
The Leelanau Peninsula We can’t think of a better time of year to head north than this current season. Pair the beautiful scenery of a fall color road trip with a tour of wineries and it can become a memorable event, one for the photo album. The area is gorgeous. Just ask! “Good Morning America” voters called the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that stretches up the Leelanau Peninsula “the most beautiful place in America” and USA Today listed Old Mission Peninsula as one of the “10 Beautiful Coastal Drives Across North America.” One of the reasons? Water abounds, with Lake Michigan to the west and Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau and the Grand Traverse bays among the picturesque sights of this pleasant locale. The proximity to “the big lake” makes for not only lovely views but
also an ideal climate for growing wine grapes. The peninsulas do, after all, sit along the 45th Parallel (think Bordeaux, France). The nearby water tempers the early frosts and cool spring can help prevent premature budding. During the summer there’s a nice balance of rainfall and sunlight for premium grapegrowing. As a matter of fact, this “microclimate” helps the local vintners create award-winning Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wines and ice wines. It’s pretty along the way, too, wineries and stores selling Michigan-made wines popping up in Oceana, Mason, Manistee and Benzie counties. In recent years some cool microbreweries offering everything from local
september 2014
| Ludington daily newS • ROAD TRIP
ales to porters in a unique atmosphere and now Michigan-made liquor and liqueurs are finding new fans. While Michigan-made spirits and the natural beauty of this “third coast” are reason enough to take a trip, there’s much more to the area, including shopping, a foodie’s paradise and an eclectic art scene. Take your time, stop to eat, stay the night, and return home with the memories you’ve made along the way.
Toast the Season The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers a fall tasting and tour on two consecutive weekends – Nov. 1 and 2 or Nov. 8 and 9. Tickets are $75 for couples or $50 for singles and include a featured wine and food pairing at 23 wineries, a souvenir wine glass and a holiday gift bag. Take a selfguided tour through the tasting rooms from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Mac & Cheese Bake-Off Restaurants partner with wineries of Old Mission Saturday, Nov. 29 to create a mac and cheese and wine pairing, and participants get to vote for the best pairing, cheesiest, and people’s choice. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 29, for $40 each (with $3 processing fee). Cost includes commemorative tasting glass, (8) total 3oz. samples of mac and cheese (one at each winery), and one wine pairing at each winery. For more information, visit www.lpwines.com, www.wineriesofoldmission.com, tcaletrail.com/.
A clean friendly place to live.
The New Whiting Hotel 152 1/2 Front St., Downtown Traverse City 231.947.6360
Since 1927 Serving the freshest Lake Michigan Whitefish, Perch, and Walleye, and great Prime Rib, Steaks and a great deal more. Come visit the Tavern or our Dining Room overlooking the Leland River. Huge selection of the best Local Wines and other great wine from around the world 102 River St., Leland • 231-256-9081 • www.bluebirdleland.com • blubirdleland@gmail.com Traverse City Record-Eagle • Dining Guide - Spring/Summer 2013
Open Every Day until Oct. 25th, Winter Hours begin early November.
WINERY
Open Year Round Wine & Hard Cider Tasting October 4th Fall Festival
3/12-326459-DG
Harvest Days weekends in October www.douglasvalley.net 5375 Douglas Valley Drive, Manistee 231.887.3333