When Northern Michigan’s Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas are in bloom, take advantage of May’s early-season deals and events—with a glass of vino in hand, of course.
SIP NEW RELEASES
Spend some extra time in not-as-crowded tasting rooms, chat with winemakers and discover new favorites before the wave of summer travelers arrive. On the Leelanau Peninsula, Rove Estate released its Cuvée Rosé on May 1. The tasting room, which sits at the highest point in Leelanau County, is releasing a total of eight new wines this spring—including the 2017 Pinot Noir and the much-anticipated return of the Estate Sauvignon Blanc which sold out last year. In Leland, Verterra Wine Club members will get to be the first to try Michigan’s first-ever 100 percent locally grown and bottled Malbec—Verterra’s 2016 Malbec. The tasting room will also have two brand new rosé vintages.
SCORE A DEAL
You’ll catch spring’s blooms throughout your scenic drive from winery to winery. But why does it have to end there? Stay the night in the heart of wine country. Take advantage of Michigan Wine Month lodging specials including spectacular shoulder- season rates at Inn the Pines B&B in Lake Leelanau and a 15 percent discount throughout the month of May at historic Old Mission Inn in celebration of its 150th birthday.
Photo by Dave Weidner
RELAX ON THE DECK
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery is nearly doubling its current seating capacity with an expansion of its upper deck this spring. Guests are treated to spectacular views of the Old Mission vineyard and East Grand Traverse Bay from the deck and Sky Bar—which will remain open during construction (we recommend ordering the frosé). Expect the project to be completed around Memorial Day weekend.
JOIN THE FESTIVITIES
Leelanau County welcomes the warmth of spring with Rosé All May throughout the month. On Old Mission Peninsula, enjoy Blossom Day on May 18. This year, the event welcomes a new winery, Tabone Vineyards. Also new, the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula are coming together to celebrate Rosé Between the Bays on June 8. Start summer off right at the peninsula block party and soak up lakeside vibes. Wineries will have yard games, live music, artists, classic cars and more. Turn the event into a weekend getaway, the chateau way. Book a room at Chateau Chantal or Chateau Grand Traverse.
Courtney Jerome and her husband, Josh, have two young boys who love to splash in Lake Leelanau. A former award-winning TV producer at WCMU, senior web editor for MyNorth Media and station manager of UpNorthTV, Courtney has now started her own media company. // Photos by Captured By Grace Photography & Dave Weidner