Wine It Up
Fourteen great reasons to hit the Bay View Wine Trail this fall. BY AL PARKER
The Bay View Wine Trail is growing, enhancing its reputation for quality vintages. The seven-year-old trail is home to 14 wineries and runs from Ellsworth to Harbor Springs, but most are clustered around Petoskey. On a crisp autumn day, the drive alone is a beguiling way to spend an afternoon. Add top quality vintages – both reds and whites - and the adventure is compelling. The wine trail started with a handful of members in 2014, achieving non-profit status the following year. But the trail’s members have been individually producing award-winning wines longer than that. Walloon Lake Winery Located just outside Petoskey, the family operation is owned by the Dennis family and regularly hosts tastings, private events and weddings. They produce reds, whites and some fruits, from vine to bottle. Must sip: The Regatta Rosé is a refreshing blend of Marquette, frontenac gris and la crescent with a tart cherry nose. Must try: Join artist Martina Hahn for a Paint and Sip session through October. Cost ($48) includes all materials and a flavorful glass of wine.
Find it: 3149 Intertown Rd., Petoskey; (231) 622-8645 or walloonlakewinery.com.
Rudbeckia Farm and Winery Owner John Wysokinski and his staff offer a wine, beer and cider tasting experience that is both fun and educational. New to the winery are two 18-foot-high heated igloos where guests can enjoy their beverages. They comfortably seat a dozen or more. Must sip: Their newly released pumpkin beer or their s’more martini. Must try: On an autumn night, unwind at one of five new fire pit seating areas. Find it: 3379 Lake Grove Rd., Petoskey; (231) 622-4173, rudbeckiafarm.com or bmb.beer. Mackinaw Trail Winery Established in 2012, the winery sits on 30 acres along U.S. 131. Their reds and whites are compelling, while their fruit wines – blackberry, strawberry, blueberry and cranberry – are strong sellers. One popular grape is la crescent. Its high acidity makes the grape versatile for wine-making styles from dry to sweet. Must sip: “Our Marquette is absolutely our top seller,” says owner Ralph Stabile. “We have seven acres and in the spring we’ll be
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planting four more.” Must try: Their new patio is a comfortable scenic venue that now seats 60. Find it: 3423 U.S. 131, Petoskey; (231) 487-1910 or mackinawtrailwinery.com. The Cellars of Royal Farms If you’re looking for a classic autumn experience with apple picking, corn maze, hay rides and other activities, this is your place. “We’ve really grown our hard cider business with new flavors and varieties,” says owner Sara McGuire. “And we’ve added more outdoor space with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan.” Must sip: Their smooth caramel apple cider is always popular, while their Live Edge is a dry, earthy drink that’s super smooth. Must try: Their fresh homemade pasty selections include beef, chicken, breakfast and veggies. For those with a sweet tooth, their pies are all homemade and come highly recommended. Find it: 10445 North U.S. 31, Ellsworth; (231) 599-3222 or royalfarmsinc.com. 1918 Cellars at Castle Farms Guests can explore the history and beauty of Castle Farms, while enjoying their Birch Lake White or late harvest
riesling. Red lovers will want to try Serenity Red, a blend that is dry, smooth and fruit forward. Must sip: Stonemason, a dry red, combines merlot and syrah grapes in a smooth, full-bodied wine with slight chocolate tones. Must try: Explore the Castle at your own pace with a self-guided tour. Try the hedge maze, follow the model train engines, feed the ducks and say hi to Norm the Dragon. Find it: 5052 M-66, Charlevoix; (231) 237-0884 or castlefarms.com/wine. Spare Key Winery This family-owned gem has seen steady growth since launching in 2011. Its newest addition is a 40x80-foot building that houses both a comfy tasting room and a processing area. It’s one of the few wineries that makes its white, red and fruit wines from grapes grown in their vineyard and processed onsite. Must sip: Their apple wine is always popular and Elvira, a silver medal winner, is “not your average white wine.” Must try: Take time to visit the litter of friendly new puppies. Find it: 6872 Upper Bayshore Road, Charlevoix; (231) 250-7442 or sparekeywinery.com.
