Leelanau Peninsula Travel Report
We’re back from our short wine purchasing/vineyard visiting trip at the Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. Just short of 4 cases of really good, and great Michigan Wines came back with us.
On Old Mission we visited the fancy new “Two Lads” vineyard, along with all the regulars. Fancy, and ultra modern would be my description of “2 Lads” .
On Leelanau Peninsula, we visited most of the Vineyards that were open (early in the year on a weekday). The stand outs were, Leelanau Cellars, Raftshol’s, and of course Boskydel’s.
Leelanau Cellars, is flowering in their new tasting room on the shores of the Bay in Omena. Their new winemaker, Nichole, is also pulling her own weight. Their past Winemaker, Shawn Walters, is still working to get the new tasting room opened at 45 North .
Warren seemed in good spirits, at Raftshol’s, with a good selection of excellent Reds, and Bernie (the old Wine Nazi), was still solid as a rock behind his tasting bar at Boskyel’s. (Not to mention offering 40% off of case prices, Thank’s Mr. Rink)
A Toast
There are several famous toasts at Boskydel. This one sums up the wine nazi philosopy quite nicely: “Here’s to you and here’s to me, but if we should ever disagree, <expletive deleted> you, here’s to me!
Leelanau Vinter’s Association Map
On a somewhat disturbing note, it seems that a few more of the tasting rooms have gone to “For Pay” tastings, with the cost being between $3 and 6 dollars to taste a limited number of wines. (and pouring very small tastings) This may work for them,,, but for me, a single sip, doesn’t allow me to decide if I want to spend 8 to 50 dollars for a bottle of wine. Also being a bit of an old school wine tourer, we aren’t really enamoured with the whole pay for tasting idea. If I pay to taste, it better be Da—ed Good, if you expect me to buy a bottle or to even come back on the next trip.