Pure Michigan. If you’ve never visited the state, add it to your short list. You’re guaranteed to feel fresh air, lake breezes, and summer weather that’s naturally air conditioned. In the fall, relish the colors, crisp air and crunch of fallen leaves under your feet. Visiting in the winter? Bring your snowshoes or cross-country skiing gear for afternoon hikes in the snow followed by an adult beverage by the fire. At any point in the year, stay in one of the many harbor towns along Lake Michigan and have a cocktail, craft brew, Michigan’s famous cherries or a meal highlighting farm to table fare. Memories are waiting to be made.
Don’t forget to indulge in wine tasting from a few of the many wineries, too. I recently popped the cork of two delicious sparkling wines (sent as samples) produced in the state’s Leelanau Peninsula. In my humble opinion, sparkling wines in this area are worth a second sip and perhaps, a second bottle!
Photo Credit: wikiwand
The Leelanau Peninsula AVA
The Leelanau Peninsula reaches about 30 miles from the western side of the lower peninsula of Michigan into Lake Michigan and forms Grand Traverse Bay. Traverse City, a mecca for golf enthusiasts, is found at the southeastern end of the peninsula where an abundance of lakes and rivers affords tourists and locals to soak in the northern Michigan lifestyle.
The climate is humid and falls into the continental category thanks to warm, mild summers and severe winters. Frost can occur on all but about 145 days of the calendar year and the region benefits from the effect of Lake Michigan which helps to moderate temperatures. Vineyard soils are of glacial deposits of clay, sand and loam on top of granite and limestone bedrock. The Leelanau Peninsula AVA was approved in 1982.
Good Harbor Vineyards
In 1980, the doors opened at Good Harbor Vineyards by then owner Bruce Simpson who studied viticulture and oenology at the University of California, Davis. Upon graduation, he and his wife, Debbie, planted the vineyards at Good Harbor and now, second generation sibling duo of Sam and Taylor Simpson own and operate the winery.
Over 175 acres of prime vineyard sites at Good Harbor produce Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Noir. Also cultivated are Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt, Lemberger and Cabernet Franc.
Of 100% Chardonnay, the Good Harbor Vineyards Blanc de Blanc ($32) was awarded Best of Class in the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and received 92 Points by Decanter. Produced using the Charmat Method whereby the second fermentation is in stainless steel tanks, lively fruit flavors were front and center on the nose and palate. Apples, lemon zest, apricots, pears and toast were luscious elements in this creamy, extra dry sparkling. Sip on its own or with your choice of cuisine – it’s just that versatile.
Aurora Cellars
Aurora Cellars offers an array of styles of white, red and sparkling wines that reflect expressions of the fruit grown on the Leelanau Peninsula. Head Winemaker Drew Perry believes that “you should never try to mold a wine to what you want it to be, but instead you need to work with what you are given based on the site, the variety, and the vintage growing conditions.” His experience includes a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Michigan State University, a position as Cellar Assistant at Pine Ridge in Napa, and the role of Assistant Winemaker at Left Foot Charley in Traverse City. He joined the Aurora Cellars team in 2014 and also makes wines for Good Harbor Vineyards.
Aurora Cellars Brut Rosé ($34) is a multi-award winning sparkling. Among other accolades, it received the Jefferson Cup Award at the 2022 Jefferson Cup Invitational and 89 points from Decanter. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, the sparkling rosé was produced using the Charmat method and offered snappy acidity, magnificent fruit notes and persistent bubbles. The delicate and refreshing rosé burst with candied cherries on the nose and palate. Spice, minerality, salinity and bright red fruit flavors were quite impressive. Consider this beauty with any brunch fare, fresh garden salad adorned with strawberries or raspberries, BBQ sandwiches, baked or grilled salmon, crab cakes or pork tenderloin.
It’s time to plan your trip to the Leelanau Peninsula AVA for sparkling wine and more. Don’t forget the golf clubs!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
My online wine education course, Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!) on Teachable is available now. Take it at your leisure or binge at once! Click HERE for information and to enroll.
For more articles about American sparkling wines, follow the links to those from my colleagues.
- A Russian River Valley Pét-Nat with Veggie Tempura from Culinary Cam
- Cheers, It is Christmastime in Michigan by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Christmas Cookie Swap and a Cooper’s Hawk Blanc de Blanc by Our Good Life
- Sparkling Picpoul with Fettucine by Cooking Chat
- Sparkling Surprises from Sonoma’s SEPPI, Paso’s Halter Ranch, WA Gorge + Festive Finger Foods by Wine Predator…Gwendolyn Alley
- The Bubbles of Bel Lago by The Quirky Cork
- Troon wine: Farm-fresh flavor in every glass by My Full Wine Glass
