MyNorth News Service

(Press Release provided by Chateau Chantal)

OLD MISSION PENINSULA, TRAVERSE CITY: Chateau Chantal continues to provide exceptional experiences connecting local food and wine by offering an all new daily tour this summer dubbed the “Food & Wine Pairing Tour.”  The winery also continues to expand their schedule of Wine Education Dinners offered seasonally from their stunning facility on Old Mission Peninsula.
Food & Wine Pairing Tour  The only one of its kind in the Midwest!  The winery’s Hospitality Director, Brian Lillie, put together an all new experiential tour that combines the 5 senses into a wine tasting tour.  The winery was looking for a new and exciting way to marry a food and wine experience after an 8 year run with their “Tapas Tour” program.  Mr. Lillie comments, “We needed something new for the guests that return to us each year, as well as something unique for our region.  I think this will be a fun, enjoyable, and educational experience for wine lovers of any level.”  Mr. Lillie and Winemaker Mark Johnson toured historic wineries in Germany and France’s Champagne region in 2014 to develop a perfect pairing for cool climate wines, one of which will be featured on the Sensory Tour.

The tour begins with a blind tasting in black wine glasses which completely hide the color of the wine.  Mr. Lillie continues, “It’s amazing to see what happens when you focus a tasting strictly on your nose and palate – without the eye, you might be surprised that you can’t tell between a white and red wine!”  After an additional experiment in musical influence on tasting, the specialized tour guide leads guests through the vineyard, cellar, and winemaking process. Once in the cellar, guests enjoy small-bite food and wine pairings designed to treat your taste buds.

Starting June 17th, the two-hour tours will run daily at 11:30am and again at 1:30pm.  Guests are encouraged to visit the winery’s tasting room before or after the tour for a lunch pairing; the Sensory Treat Tour is a compliment to a meal, not a meal in itself. Only 20 people are accepted per tour. Tickets are $25 per person.  Reservations are requested in advance and can be made by calling 1-800-969-4009 or booking online at www.chateauchantal.com.

Jazz at Sunset:  The Jeff Haas Trio kicks off their 22nd summer season of Jazz at Sunset Thursday, June 18 7:00-9:30.  This free live concert is offered every Thursday through August 27.

Wine Education Dinners: This summer, Chateau Chantal’s Wine Education Dinners, are offered:

June 17-June 30: Wed & Sat July/Aug: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat Sept/October:  Wed, Thur, & Fri

A winery tour kicks off the evening at 6pm, with dinner seating at 6:30.  The price is $77 per person including tax, tip and wines.  Reservations are required at least a day in advance and can be made by calling 1-800-969-4009 or booking online at www.chateauchantal.com.  The dinner includes a sparkling wine toast on the winery tour followed by a beautifully paired 7-course meal.

Chef Reuben was trained at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Las Vegas. Working with celebrity Chef Louis Osteen and the Viceroy Luxury Hotels in Aspen, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, Chef Reuben honed his high-end cooking talent.  Eventually his love for family and Michigan brought him home to focus on sustainability and locally grown products.

Amuse Bouche  

  • Harietta Hills Trout Mousse in Cucumber Flute with Naughty White

Appetizer  

  • Arancini di Riso with Old Mission Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Romesco
  • Celebrate Sparkling Wine

Soup   

  • Wild Mushroom Consommé with Toasted Cheese Crostini
  • Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir

Fish 

  • Whitefish Filet and Local Asparagus with Cinq à Sept Seafood Cream Sauce
  • Unoaked Chardonnay

Main

  • Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Peruvian Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetable and Malbec Demi-Glace
  • Reserve Malbec

Salad

  • Summer Salad with Fresh Local Berries, Candied Walnuts and Feta – Riesling Vinaigrette
  • Semi Dry Riesling

Dessert

  • Dark Chocolate Torte with Fresh Berries
  • Cerise Cherry Dessert Wine

 

Chateau Chantal is a unique development that combines a winery, vineyards, bed and breakfast, residence, six private home sites, and winding roads, all of which combine to create an experience in “Northern Hospitality.”  The 65 acre site sits high atop a ridge 12 miles north of Traverse City, Michigan on the beautiful and historic Old Mission Peninsula.  Chateau Chantal crafts many styles of wine, allowing the grape to dictate the style. The location’s unparalleled views and outstanding staff play host to B&B activities, cooking classes, wine education opportunities, Tapas Tours, conferences and meetings, small weddings, and friendly regional wine events.

Photo(s) by Chateau Chantal Winery