Welcome to the latest edition of This Weekend in Michigan Wine, a listing of what's happening now, what's coming up and what's ongoing in the world of Michigan wine!
Wineries, if you'd like your event listed, please email us with all of the pertinent information, and we'd be happy to post it. MBTB fans, we hope this serves as your weekly "go-to" guide for finding the best options for getting your Michigan wine on! Cheers!
Right now...
Thursday, Aug. 25: Taste of the Town
Art in the Loft in Alpena presents the ninth annual Taste of the Town, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will feature food, wine and art, with samples presented by more than 20 caterers and restaurants. Black Star Farms will be among entities involved. The cost is $25 per person, and proceeds benefit Art in the Loft. For more information, visit http://www.artintheloft.org or call (989) 356-4877.
Friday, Aug. 26-Saturday, Aug. 27: Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival
The Third Annual Summer Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival returns to the Village at Grand Traverse Commons with a slew of breweries, as well as wineries (including Black Star Farms) and cider and mead producers (including Left Foot Charley, Uncle John's Cider Mill, Tandem Ciders, Vander Mill, B. Nektar and more). Friday tickets include entrance to the beer tent (where $3 pints will be available for purchase), entry into the Silent Disco, and all entertainment. Saturday tickets include a tasting cup, five 7 oz. sample pours, entry into the Silent Disco, and all entertainment. Additional drink tokens are available for $1 apiece. Various other food and beverage vendors, activities, merchandise, etc. will be available. Tickets for Friday are $30 in advance or $35 at the door; Saturday admission is $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.porterhouseproductions.com or in Traverse City at Oryana Natural Foods Market, Zamar Guitar, Jack's Market and Tilley's Party Store. Friday's festivities run 5-10 p.m.; Saturday's are 4-10 p.m. Last call is at 9:30 p.m., and there are no refunds for unused drink tickets. Proceeds benefit the Munson Cancer Support Units through the Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation and the CherryT Ball Drop, which bolsters local food banks while celebrating New Year's Eve with the Traverse City Community. Also, 10 percent of food vendors' hauls support a variety of nonprofit endeavors.
Saturday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 28: Harvest Party at Round Barn Winery
Round Barn Winery in Baroda will throw its 19th annual Harvest Party, 1-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The end of summer celebration commemorates the season's grape harvest with live music, dancing, food, wine, microbrewed beer, DiVine vodka slushies, martinis and homemade sangria. Musical performers include Midwest Hyper and Lady Sunshine & The X Band on Saturday and Mike & Joe and Alligator Blackbird on Sunday. Kids can enjoy tractor hayrides, grape-stomping barrels and moonwalks. Admission is free. No outside coolers, food or alcoholic beverages are permitted, but lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.roundbarnwinery.com or call (800) 716-9463.
Saturday, Aug. 27: Dining in the Vines at Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Bowers Harbor Vineyards and the Boathouse Restaurant will hold their next Dining in the Vines event Aug. 13. The feast is $99 per person and includes a six-course gourmet meal prepared by a master chef, paired with wine, all among the grapevines at the vineyards. Additional events are scheduled for Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24. For more information, visit www.dininginthevines.com.
Saturday, Aug. 27: Happy Hour and Groovin' on the Deck with Doug Decker
Keyboard player Doug Decker will perform on the deck at Lone Oak Vineyard Estate in Grass Lake, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Complimentary wine tasting is available 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and wine and food will be available for purchase all day, including half-off glasses, 5:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.loneoakvineyards.com.
Saturday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 28: Food & Wine Festival at Meadowbrook
Taste more than 100 varieties of wine from Michigan and across the globe at this summertime event at Meadow Brook Music Festival in Auburn Hills. Wine and food seminars, live entertainment and special exhibits and displays also will be available. Admission is $18 in advance or $20 the day of the event. The cost includes eight wine samples, a souvenir wine glass and access to the live music, seminars, exhibits, etc. Attendees under age 21 are free. Designated drivers are $10. The event runs 1-9:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (248) 377-0100 or visit http://www.palacenet.com.
Sunday, Aug. 28: Wine & Cheese Pairing Class at St. Julian's South Haven Tasting Room
Attendees can enjoy seven tastes of St. Julian's Braganini Reserve wines plus seven paired cheeses from the Cheese Lady in Texas Township. Admission is $20; the event runs 1-3 p.m. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (269) 767-7096.
Coming up...
Wednesday, Aug. 31: Starry, Starry Night at The Inn at Black Star Farms
Head out to Black Star Farms' main complex in Suttons Bay for dinner and stargazing with Bob Moler of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society. Moler, host of Interlochen Public Radio's "Ephemeris" program, will bring a large telescope for viewing and invites guests to bring their own. A cookout dinner will be held at the Inn at 7 p.m., followed by a dessert buffet at 8 p.m. and Moler's presentation at 8:30 p.m. Attendees will then proceed a short distance by car to an open viewing field and begin gazing at the night sky by 9:15 p.m. Saturn and its rings, binary and colored stars and star clusters are expected to make an appearance. The cookout is $30 per adult and $15 per child; a cash bar is available. The dessert buffet only is $7.50 per person. For reservations, call (231) 944-1251. For those who just want to attend the viewing/presentation, a $5 donation per couple or family is appreciated. Star gazing is weather dependent; dinner, dessert and presentation will go on, rain or shine. Call the day of to double check on status.
Saturday, Sept. 3: End-of-Summer Barbecue with Chef Tom Reinhart
Lemon Creek Winery's Grand Haven tasting room will be pairing up with Chef Tom Reinhart of Real Cool Cooking School at Belkins Appliance for an end-of-summer barbecue, 2-6 p.m. For more information, visit Lemon Creek's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lemoncreekwine.
Wednesday, Sept. 7: Chamber Music North Dinner at Black Star Farms
Chamber Music North and Black Star Farms invite visitors to dinner and a performance at Black Star Farms' facility in Suttons Bay. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by an Arcturos concert at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $30 and includes three courses created by the chefs at The Inn at Black Star Farms. A cash bar will be available. To make a reservation or get more information, call (231) 944-1251. Additional details also are available at http://www.blackstarfarms.com/inn/event-calendar/?event_id=770 and http://www.chambermusicnorth.com/ConcertsEvents/arcturos.html.
Thursday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 11: Epicurean Classic
Traverse City will become a hub of food and wine adoration during the Epicurean Classic, billed as a "celebration of culinary and literary artisanship." The event draws leading food experts, cookbook and culinary literature authors, artisans and chefs, and provides a venue for attendees to interact with them. There are various seminars, tastings and other activities scheduled, kicking off with an opening night reception Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.epicureanclassic.com.
Thursday, Sept. 8: Best of Michigan Wine Tasting Event
Sample some of Michigan's finest wines during this event at the Lawton Community Center, which kicks off the Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival. Tickets are $40 in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call Ryan Caldwell at 269-624-2371.
Friday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 11: Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival
The annual celebration in Paw Paw includes three stages of entertainment featuring live musical performers, various sports competitions, carnival rides, an arts and crafts show, car show, turtle derby, children's activities, fireworks, a grape stomp, wine tours, wine tasting tents and more. For more information, visit http://www.wineandharvestfestival.com.
Friday, Sept. 9-Saturday, Sept. 10: Hopps of Fun Beer & Wine Festival
Try more than 50 award-winning Michigan microbrewed beers and more than 40 wines from across the state, with plenty of food and entertainment available, at Mackinaw Crossings in Mackinaw City. The event runs 5-11 p.m. Friday and 1-11 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (231) 436-5030, visit http://www.mackinawcity.com or email sarah@mackinawcrossings.com.
Saturday, Sept. 10: Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival
Head out to Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's for the fourth annual Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival, featuring ciders from the Great Lakes states and Canada The event runs noon-5 p.m., with a VIP hour 11 a.m.-noon. The VIP tickets include a special pour of cider from participating ciders and a cheese station offering local and international cheeses, along with special presentations from Pete Brown and Bill Bradshaw from England and Dick Dunn, editor of "Cider Digest." Regular admission, which includes a commemorative glass and 10 free pours, is $15 per person. VIP admission is $25 and includes all benefits of the regular admission. Group discounts also are available. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.greatlakescider.com/ciderfest.html.
Saturday, Sept. 10: Round Barn's Open British Car Field Day
Visit Round Barn's Baroda tasting room for the winery's 16th annual Open British Car Field Day, noon-6 p.m. The event will feature live music by the Bel Airs, as well as wine, beer and spirits tasting. There will be an awards presentations for the vehicles present, and food will be available. Pre-reigstration is $25 per vehicle before Aug. 15; after Aug. 15, the cost is $30 per car. A bottle of wine is included in the price. The field opens at 10 a.m., with the show starting at 1 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.roundbarnwinery.com.
Saturday, Sept. 10: The Big Zoo Party at Potter Park Zoo
Support the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing during the The Big Zoo Party, featuring local beers and wines. The event runs 6:30 p.m.-midnight and also will include food from various restaurants, including Mitchell's Fish Market and Bravo, and entertainment, including a performance by the exotic Detroit Fire Guild. The cost is $85 for members and $100 for non-members, with proceeds going to the zoo. For more information, visit http://www.potterparkzoo.org/BZP.
Saturday, Sept. 10-Sunday, Sept. 11: LPVA Harvest Stompede
Celebrate harvest time with the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association during this annual festival. The event kicks off at Ciccone Vineyards with a 7-mile competitive race and a 5K run/walk through vineyards and orchards. Over the two-day period, visitors can experience the wineries of Leelanau Peninsula while sampling special wine and food pairings. Please note: Separate registration is required for the actual race and for the wine tour. Wine tour tickets, which are $40 apiece, allow the bearer to visit up to eight wineries after their starting winery on Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and up to eight on Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 5K walk registration is $26; the 7-mile run and 5K run are $27. For more information,http://lpwines.com/harvest.
Saturday, Sept. 10: Arts in the Park in Freeland
Head out to Tittabawassee Township Park in Freeland for an afternoon of wine tasting, live music, local art and food. For more information, visit http://www.freelandartsinthepark.com or call (989) 695-9512.
Sunday, Sept. 11: St. Julian 90th Anniversary Celebration
St. Julian plans to set a record with its champagne toast celebrating its 90th anniversary at its facility in Paw Paw. The toast, set to begin around 3-3:30 p.m., is preceded by the St. Julian Parade at 1 p.m. St. Julian also will offer 25 percent off 12 or more regularly priced bottles Sept. 9-11.
Monday, Sept. 12: Brys Estate Wine Dinner at Blu
Blu, an upscale restaurant in Glen Arbor, will host Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery's winemaker, Coenraad Stassen, for a culinary celebration that features six courses paired with Brys wines. The event runs 6:30-9:30 p.m. For more information, call (231) 334-2530 or visit http://www.glenarborblu.com.
Friday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 18: Grand Haven Salmon Festival
Celebrate salmon — and a lot more — during this eighth annual event at the downtown Grand Haven waterfront. Festivities will include a Michigan wine tasting pavilion, grape stomping, a gourmet salmon cook-off, a fishing contest, a fine arts fair, historic displays, live jazz music, hands-on children's activities and more. For more information, call (800) 303-4092 or visit http://www.visitgrandhaven.com.
Thursday, Sept. 22: Grape Escape in Muskegon
Muskegon's annual Grape Escape event will feature wine, food and fellowship at the Shoreline Inn Conference Center, beginning at 6 p.m. Black Star Farms will be among the wineries featured. Proceeds will support the new Muskegon Rotary Park, between Heritage Landing and the YMCA. A portion of the ticket price also will support the LST 393 Preservation Association. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/rotarygrapeescape or http://www.muskegonrotary.org or call (616) 604-1001.
Saturday, Sept. 24: Lone Oak Vineyard Estate's Harvest Party
Visit Lone Oak Vineyard Estate in Grass Lake for their 10th annual Harvest Party, 4-9 p.m. The event will feature the music of the Dr. Gunn Band, 5-9 p.m., and the Bone Island Grille will be serving up food. New wines will be released, and there will be hourly drawings for gift baskets. An afterglow party around the bonfire will kick off at 9 p.m. The event will occur rain or shine under a big tent. For more information, call (517) 522-8167 or visit http://www.loneoakvineyards.com.
Saturday, Sept. 24: CRUSH Birmingham Wine & Food Classic
Each year, the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan hosts a series of CRUSH Michigan events, uniting world-renowned culinary masters and wine experts to produce an "extraordinary wine and dining experience." The 2011 CRUSH Michigan series culminates Sept. 24 with CRUSH Birmingham at the Townsend Hotel, where local and national culinary masters will serve up some of their best dishes at food stations alongside complementing wines. General admission for the wine/food pairing event and the fourth annual Rémy Cointreau USA After Hours event — featuring music, an array of Rémy luxury spirits and "midnight bites" — is $250. General admission cost for young adults, ages 21-30, is $125. Tickets for the After Hours event only are $65. Admission to a private champagne reception sponsored by Brooks Brothers along with access to the main wine/food pairing and After Hours event are $350. For more information or to register, visit http://www.crushmichigan.com.
Sunday, Sept. 25: Schoolcraft Culinary Extravaganza
Come support the Schoolcraft College Foundation while sampling offerings from local restaurants and wineries, including Black Star Farms. The event runs 2-5 p.m. at the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. This year's festivities celebrate the college's 50th anniversary, bringing together students, professionals and the southeastern Michigan community. Tickets are $50 per person, with $20 from each admission supporting grants and scholarships. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.schoolcraft.edu/foundation/events.asp?p=af. To order tickets by phone, call (734) 462-4518.
Ongoing...
Select dates: Arcturos Wine Country Dinners at the Inn at Black Star Farms
Enjoy dinner in the elegant Arcturous dining room at the Inn on Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. Upcoming dates include Aug. 24 and Sept. 1-3, 8, 16, 21-24 and 29 and Oct. 1. The Inn chef embraces a philosophy of cooking with meats, herbs, vegetables and fruits grown/raised on the farm at Black Star or from other Michigan farms located within a 100-mile radius. An assortment of in-house-prepared decadent desserts also is available, and Black Star Farms wine is available by the glass or the bottle. Seating is limited; reservations are required. Dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. Call (231) 944-1251.
Fridays, throughout summer: Late Nights at Circa Estate WInery
Circa Estate Winery will be open until 10 p.m. every Friday throughout the summer. Visitors can play bocce ball on the front lawn or relax on the patio with a glass of wine. The Bells, the owners, will be grilling outside. For more information, visit www.circawinery.com or call (231) 271-1177.
Fridays, through Labor Day weekend: Friday Fun Night at Round Barn Union Pier
Get drink specials paired with a featured appetizer from local restaurants, 6-7:30 p.m. on Fridays at Round Barn Winery's Union Pier tasting room. A glass of featured wine is $3; DiVine cocktails are $5; beer pints are $1 off. For more details, visit www.roundbarnwinery.com or www.facebook.com/roundbarnwinery.
Thursdays, mid-June through late August: Jazz at Sunset at Chateau Chantal
Every Thursday, Jeff Haas and his jazz trio will perform — sometimes with special guests — beginning at 7 p.m. at Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula. Visitors can taste select Chateau Chantal wines; kids can sample lemonade. The concerts are free. For more information, call (231) 223-4110 or emailwine@chateauchantal.com.
Saturdays, Sundays: Round Barn Winery's Summer Concert Series
Come out to Round Barn Winery's Baroda tasting room for free entertainment "al fresco" every Saturday and Sunday afternoon while sipping wine, spirits or microbrews in the recently completed open-air live music stage, adjacent to the Beer Garden. Freshly grilled burgers, brats, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches are available at the Round Barn Café.
Saturdays: Live Music by Ben Richey at Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Ben Richey will perform outdoors at Bowers Harbor Vineyards' tasting room on the Old Mission Peninsula, 3-6:30 p.m., on all Saturdays, June through September, weather permitting. Wine by the glass, flights of wine and gourmet snacks will be available for purchase. For more information, call (231) 223-7615 or visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223721277645069.
Second and fourth Thurs. of each month: Thirsty Thursdays at Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery
Forty-Five North on Leelanau Peninsula will have live music on the patio, 6-9 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Cover is $5, which includes 50 percent off a glass of wine, plus various other wine deals. Cheese plates and other snacks will be available for purchase. The winery also will have specials on wine by the glass and bottles every Thursday. For more information, visit www.fortyfivenorth.com or call (231) 271-1188.
Wednesdays and Saturdays, mid-June through Sept. 5: Wine Dinners with Chateau Chantal
A winery tour kicks off the evening at 6 p.m., followed by dinner seating at 6:30 p.m. The seven-course meal prepared by Chef Perry Harmon, owner of the premium biscotti company Way North Foods, is paired with Chateau Chantal wines. The price is $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required at least a day in advance and can be made online or by calling (800) 969-4009. The menu is viewable by clicking here.
Daily, June 15 through Sept. 5: Tapas Tours at Chateau Chantal
Get a tour of the vineyard and winery, along with tapas-style small plates paired with wine, at Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula. Tapas Tours are led by experienced guides who walk guests through the winemaking process and an exploration of wine and food pairing. Tours begin at 12:30 p.m. and last two hours. The cost is $26 per person. A light jacket is recommended, as the cellar can be chilly. To make reservations, call (800) 969-4009 or book online. The 2011 menu is available by clicking here.
Tues., Thurs. and Sat., June 4-Sept. 24: Uncommon Adventures Water-to-Wine Day Tours
Kayakers of all skill levels can paddle on Grand Traverse Bay, eat a gourmet lunch on the beach and enjoy private winery tours and tastings at several local wineries during the tours, which begin at 9 a.m. and wrap up around 5:30 p.m. Depending on weather, the starting point is Bowers Harbor or Hasaret Beach. Featured wineries may include Brys Estate, Peninsula Cellars and Left Foot Charley. The cost is $160 per person and includes professional guide/instructor, kayaking equipment, lunch and wine tour fees. For more information, call (866) 882-5525 or visit http://www.uncommonadv.com/kayaking/great-lakes/water-wine-day.html.
By Appointment: Private Tours/Tastings at 2 Lads Winery
2 Lads staffers will explain the what, where, why and how behind the winemaking process during private tours and tastings of the Old Mission Peninsula facility. Participants can tour the crush pad and get an in-depth look at how wine is made and what sets 2 Lads apart; visit the barrel room and learn about red wines and the aging process; and taste 2 Lads wines paired with a premium food plate in the private gallery. The tour/tasting lasts about an hour and a half and is by appointment only. The cost is $25 per person. For more information, call Caryn at (231) 223-7722..
Fridays: Wine Down Friday at Founders Wine Cellars
Relax and celebrate the end of the week with Wine Down Fridays at Founders Wine Cellars in Baroda. The event runs 5-8 p.m. For more information, visit Founders' Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Founders-Wine-Cellar/333830355636.
Sundays, June-September: Live Music at Douglas Valley
Visit Douglas Valley Organic Vineyards in Manistee every Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m., for live music. The winery bills its Bodega as the perfect place to pick up "all the fixins for a perfect wine country picnic," including more than 100 Michigan-made products. Wine tasting is available outside, as is wine by the bottle or glass. For more information, visit the Facebook event page:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116235955130906.
Daily, June 14 through Aug. 31: Winery Tours at Chateau Chantal
Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula offers cellar tours on the hour at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. throughout the summer. If you have a large group and would like to schedule a tour at an alternate time, call (800) 969-4009. Personalized VIP winery tours for private parties also are available upon request and can be tailored based on the group's specifications.
Thursdays: Thursday Happy Hour at Left Foot Charley
Get a plate of ethnic food prepared by Chef Kristin Karam of K2 Edibles & Events and a glass of Left Foot Charley wine or hard cider for $12 every Thursday, 5-8 p.m., at LFC. (Food also is available for $10 without wine or cider.) A different part of the world is featured weekly; selections have included Mexican, Cuban, Cajun, Indian and Lebanese. Reservations are not required, but plates are limited, and only available while the food lasts. For more information, call (231) 995-0500.
Sundays in August: Performing Arts in the Vineyard at Fenn Valley
Enjoy musical performers in the vineyards at Fenn Valley in Fennville on Sundays throughout August, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wine will be available for purchase. Featured concerts include Keith Scott (blues) on Aug. 7, Folias (guitar and flute tango) on Aug. 14, and Third Coast Ensemble (string ensemble) on Aug. 21. The events are free and reservations are not required. For more information, visit http://www.fennvalley.com or call (269) 561-2396.
Thursday-Saturday: Matterhorn Grill at TASTES of Black Star Farms
Grill ham, sausage, potatoes, bread, fresh veggies and apples, drizzle them with raclette cheese from Leelanau Cheese Co., and enjoy alongside wine samples — almost a full bottle — and you've got yourself a Matterhorn Grill dinner at TASTES of Black Star Farms, located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. Dinner for two is $50. Seatings are 6-7:30 p.m. To reserve a table, call (231) 944-1349.
Saturdays and Sundays in July: Private Barrel Tastings at Silver Leaf Vineyard
Silver Leaf Vineyard on Leelanau Peninsula will host private barrel tastings by appointment only on Saturdays and Sundays throughout July. The private tastings include an 18 oz. wine glass for participants to take home; gourmet cheese, olives and crackers will be served alongside three samples of wine straight from the barrel, including Meritage Red, barrel-aged 2010 Chardonnay and 2010 Pinot Noir. Visitors also can chat with the winemaker and proprietor, Mark Carlson. The cost is $30 per person or $45 per couple. Call ahead to reserve a time at (231) 271-3111. For more information, visit http://www.silverleafvineyard.com/news/2011/6/30/private-barrel-tastings.html.
Saturdays, June-September: Live Entertainment at Cherry Creek Winery
Visit Cherry Creek Winery's Old Schoolhouse tasting room in Parma on Saturdays, 2-6 p.m., for performances through mid-September. Acts includes Swinging Sirloins July 9, Bigfoot Bob & Band July 16, Act III July 23, Frog & the Beeftones July 30, Airtight Aug. 6, Scoot Magoo Aug. 13 and Sept. 4, Calling Marvin Aug. 20, Mojo Phoenix Blues Aug. 27, and Jaded Soul Band Sept. 17. For more information, call (517) 592-4663.
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