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Elk RapidsElk RapidsElk RapidsTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse CityTraverse City

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HartHartHartHartHartHartHartHart

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The New Whiting Hotel

A clean friendly place to live.

152 1/2 Front St., Downtown Traverse City231.947.6360

ManisteeManistee

2015

Leelanau

• watch spirit distillation in the tasting room• free tastings • bottle sales • fresh unique cocktails

112 E. Philip Street (M-204)Lake Leelanau, MI 49653231-256-2700

"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

The Leelanau Vodka distilled from 100% Leelanau cherries.Cherry Bounce flavored by 100% Leelanau cherries.

Open 7 days/wkYEAR ROUND!

SEPTEMBER 2015 | LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS • ROAD TRIP SEPTEMBER 2015 | LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS • ROAD TRIP

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.

The Leelanau Peninsula is one of Michigan’s many wonders.

With the 45th parallel running through the region, it’s

designed for great wine.

Fall is a great time to visit the area’s many wineries and so much more. Stop by and see for yourself.

Many consumers stand in front of a grocery shelf full of wine bottles and wonder, “How do I choose?” � e next thought that comes to mind, “Oooo, that label looks nice,” and they buy the wine. An attractive label is a great mar-keting technique, however, it has nothing to do with a wine.

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, fi gure 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 serv-ing. 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 heav-

ily buttered or creamy.

Lighter meals take lighter and more subtle fl avors 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.

� e best way to remember a wine you like is to write things down about that wine. � is 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 em-ployees 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 begin-ning. � e rule of thumb is that good winemakers craft good wines even in bad years. So, fi nd 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. � ere are thousands and thou-sands 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

fl avors – red, white and pink. Today,

it’s a whole new world.

Howto select

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.

Suttons bay, 1 block north of downtown231.271.2344 • marthasleelanautable.com

www.whalebackinn.com

Watch the Sun Rise OverBeautiful Lake LeelanauWell Appointed Lake View Rooms

Cottage Suites • Free Standing Family Cottage

Whirlpool & Fireplace UnitsDock • Sundeck • Relaxing Porch • Play Area

Open Year-Round • WiFi231.256.9090 • 800.942.5322

On Lake Leelanau, Just south of Leland on M22

LEELANAU PIE& PASTRYA SLICE OF PIE PERFECTION

Chef Gene231-256-0115

41 N. Eagle HwyLake Leelanau

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sSt. Ambrose CellarsGateway to the Grand Traverse Wine Trail

Open Year Round • Locally Grown & Locally Owned841 S. Pioneer Rd. Beulah, MI • 231.383.4262

stambrosecellars.com

European-style cafe where every entree is made from scratch, including

ingredients available in Leelanau County and the surrounding region.

St. Ambrose Cellars

Wine Tastingfree

Biggest WineSelection in

West Michigan

every friday 2-6

Questions? Call our Wine Expert, Fred 231.873.2826

3750 Polk Rd., Hart , MI 49420

Your Culinary Store

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.comOpen Every Day but Monday, Winter Hours begin early November.

We look forwardto welcoming you

and sharing our wines with you.

As always tastings are free.

(231) 386-5201www.LeelanauCellars.com

A Taste of NorthernMichigan

A Taste of NorthernLeelanau Cellars

FREE TASTINGSOpen Year ‘Round • Patio Seating

Panoramic Views

Visit our waterfront tasting room overlooking beautiful Omena Bay and experience the

aromas and flavor of award winning wines.

Celebrating 40 Years of Producing QualityAward Winning Wines Affordable To Everyone.

We’re located on the bay in the Village of Omena -halfway between Suttons Bay and Northport -

22 minutes north of Traverse City on M-22.

TALL SHIP WINES • SEASON WINES • FRUIT WINESFUN WINES • VARIETALS • DESSERT WINES

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 win-eries 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 Lee-lanau 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 pic-turesque 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 Bor-deaux, France).

The nearby water tempers the early frosts and cool spring can help pre-vent premature budding. During the summer there’s a nice balance of rain-fall and sunlight for premium grape-growing. As a matter of fact, this “mi-croclimate” helps the local vintners create award-winning Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Mer-lot, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wines and ice wines.

It’s pretty along the way, too, winer-ies 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

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.

Discover Leelanau Peninsula, where cool-climate wines pair perfectly with local cuisine. � e peninsula is home to 25 wineries

located within diverse microclimates uniquely suited for a variety of wine grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed varieties

are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Caber-net Franc. Experience, fi rsthand, the authentic taste of the peninsula in local wines that continue to achieve national

and international accolades with each passing vintage.

The Leelanau Peninsula

Let’s take a Road Trip

Leelanau

Three Mini-Trails

For more information, visit www.lpwines.com or www.wineriesofoldmission.com

Peninsula Wine Trail

SLEEPING BEAR LOOP, NORTHERN LOOP, GRAND TRAVERSE BAY LOOP

22

SEPTEMBER 2015 | LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS • ROAD TRIP

� e trail is divided into three mini-trails for easy touring: the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop. Each tasting room

along the trail offers its own unique experience, from pure elegance with unparal-leled views to cozy nooks loaded with charm. As you sip wines and chat with the laid-back, hardworking winemakers that produce them, you’re sure to fi nd many reasons to love the trail.

The Leelanau Peninsula

110 W. River St. • Leland, MI • 231.256.9501OPEN 7 DAYS • MAY - OCTOBER

When Michiganders hold up their hand to show people from other states where they live on the map, their pinky repre-

sents the Leelanau Penin-sula.

Getting to the tip of the pinky from the knuckle (Ma-son County) can take anywhere from two hours

to two days. Getting sidetracked along M-22 is pretty easy.

Towns like Kaleva, Onekama, Frank-

fort, all of the Glens, and the Sleeping Bear

Dunes National Lakeshore can easily lead you astray.

Your beautiful scenic fall wine tasting journey along the

Lake Michigan shoreline begins in Hart at Hansen’s Foods. This

culinary/food store hosts one of the largest selections of wine in West

Michigan. Your journey continues north through beautiful Pentwater and

Ludington making your next stop at Northern Natural in Kaleva for a sample of hard cider. From there we head to Douglas Valley Winery overlooking Lake Michigan for more wine tasting, then on to downtown Onekama for some shopping at some very unique shops like MacBeth and Company.

Next on to Route 22 along the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline to Beulah for a little wine tasting at St. Ambrose. Your picturesque journey continues along the beautiful shoreline to Leelanau County. Enjoy a meal at the Bluebird Restaurant in the village of Leland or watch the fish migrate upstream at the Cove Restaurant after you enjoy a unique shopping experience at some of the little shops on the water like the Fish hook.

Before heading to our most northern point for more wine tasting there are a couple of must visit locations to visit like Motovino Cellars for some great northern wines and unique antique shopping at Uniquities Luxurious Necessities.

Don’t forget dessert from Leelanau Pies or stopping by Northern Latitudes

Distilleries to try their Signature Vodkas made from Leelanau cherries.

From Northport we begin our journey south to Omena for a breathtaking view of Traverse Bay while enjoying a glass of wine from Leelanau Wine Cellars and possibly dinner at Martha’s Leelanau Table in Suttons Bay.

Your relaxing journey comes to an end at your choice of a beautiful view of the Bay at the Whaleback Inn, or spend the evening in downtown Traverse City at the New Whiting Hotel.

The area boasts many fine wineries that offer daily wine tastings — see the ads in this section. A complete list and map of the wineries on the peninsula can be found on the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association website at www.lpwines.com.

Whether you enjoy a nice glass of wine, or just a relaxing dinner with some shopping, enjoy this beautiful fall tour and take in the fall colors of beautiful Northwestern Michigan.

THE TASTE OF LEELANAU IN EVERY BOTTLE.

107 W. Nagonaba, Northport | 12-6 pm daily | 231.342.6818 | motovinocellars.com

THE TASTE OF LEELANAU IN EVERY BOTTLE

motovinocellars.com

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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.

Featuring Wine Tasting.Wine by the bottle or by the glass.

Premium Hard Cider producedwith local organic apples

Growlers & refills,bottles or by the glass.

7220 Chief Rd., Kaleva, MI 49645 • 231-889-0064Summer Hours: Tues.-Sat. 12:30 to 6

Or visit us at: 324 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49684

L U X U R I O U S N E C E S S I T I E S

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