Michigan

National Trends Focus Attention on this Versatile Wine

(www.GrapeVineTrail.com) - All eyes, ears and lips have been on Riesling in recent weeks, following a major conference in Washington state called the “Riesling Rendezvous.” Winemakers at St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, Michigan – the state’s oldest and largest winery – say such national and international interest reinforces what they’ve been successfully producing for years.

The 2007 wine season is off to a great start in Leelanau County (MI) with a new winery slated to open this summer and three more possibly gaining new owners.

The new winery – known as Forty-Five North – is located on property formerly owned by Dean and Cindy Robb on Horn Road in Suttons Bay Township. Meanwhile, the Bel Lago winery in Centerville Township as well as Chateau de Leelanau and Willow Vineyard, both located in Bingham Township, have been listed for sale.

I have had some emails from some readers interested in finding out what are company actually does, so I thought I would give you all a semi- brief synopsis.

The Traveling Vineyard operates in half of the states in the US. We are revolutionizing the wine tasting experience because we are turning living rooms into tasting rooms. Do not get me wrong- NOTHING beats a wine tasting at a vineyard, but there are many reasons why we can't always find a way to get to a vineyard. For instance, If you live in Allentown, PA. and want to try all italian wines and you can't get 10 friends to Tuscany, Italy or even Santa Barbara...try 5 of TTV's italian wines or California wines in your living room! See?

Groth 2006 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

You will fall in love with this wine and look for it year after year!

Retail: I have seen this wine listing between $13.99 to $19.99 in various wine shops

Free the Grapes! Update
March 19, 2007

Dear Friends of Free the Grapes,
This email update is rather lengthy but it provides summaries of direct-to-consumer shipping legislation during this busy season. If your state is one of the remaining few which does not allow legal, regulated direct shipments, and it is not referenced below, then significant legislation is not in the works.

Some of the state's most scenic spots offer festivals that celebrate its vintners, coasts and music.

Susan R. Pollack / The Detroit News
N othing says summer in Michigan better than chilled, fruity wines, sparkling blue waters and scintillating tunes.

By Kim Schneider
JACKSON -- The weekend it opened, Sandhill Crane Vineyards outgrew its tasting room.

What owners thought would be a small seasonal retirement job drew overflow crowds for its first event. Taking home gold medals at the State Fair, the first summer in operation (and then the next), didn't help keep the secret.

By Mary Barber
mbarber@citpat.com -- 768-4971
Few festivals offer a more relaxed atmosphere than Ella Sharp Museum's Art & Wine Festival.

Coming soon

If you would like your vineyard or winery added, please Please contact us

Vines, vines, everywhere a vineyard

By BILL O'BRIEN
Record-Eagle business editor

THOMPSONVILLE - Northern Michigan's burgeoning wine industry is just a glass half-full, contend area vintners, who expect both the number of local wineries and vineyards to spread.