The Details:

Welcome to the breathtaking beauty of The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail – where stunning landscape and natural splendor meets exquisite wine making. ‘Experience Leelanau’ , our new signature event during May 19th-21st, is a celebration honoring ‘Michigan Wine Month’ and everything that makes our region special. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, a music enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, this event has something for everyone.

With Experience Leelanau, we invite you to embrace the magic of Michigan viticulture, as we guide you through the most beautiful corners of our natural paradise. This event is designed to delight and inspire, featuring a dynamic mix of activities and experiences from 11 different wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.

Some of the highlights of Experience Leelanau include the exploration of tastings notes, local cuisine and wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, vertical tastings, and many more elevated and unique wine experiences. 

And that's not all! Experience Leelanau showcases the unique cultural treasures of our area. You’ll get a taste of our vibrant arts and music scene with live performances featured at several wineries, showcasing the diverse talent of our community. For those who crave a little more adventure, we have an array of vineyard tours to explore the beautiful landscapes and learn what makes this region so special and unique for winemaking.

Experience Leelanau is more than just an event – it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beautiful culture that Michigan Wineries have planted over the years. Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful retreat, challenge yourself with wine tasting knowledge, or simply enjoy world-class wine and entertainment, there’s something for everyone at Experience Leelanau. Book your tickets today and join us for an adventure that you will never forget!

How it works!

Each ticket is exclusive to the individual winery and the day/time that they are featuring their experience. 

To buy tickets for this event, simply review what each winery is featuring and select the experience you would like to attend. 

Winery Experiences

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Date: May 20th:

45 North Vineyard and Winery

Experience Details:

Greeted with a newly released featured wine, ticket holders will get to accompany head winemaker, Jay Briggs, as he takes you on an exclusive behind the curtains cellar and barrel tasting tour. Wine, small bites and Charcuterie included will also be included.

Amoritas Vineyards:

Experience Details:

Enjoy a guided vineyard tour with the owners and Matt & Emily Goodell, while you experience a vertical tasting of Amoritas Vineyards wine library, paired with a locally sourced picnic lunch.

Black Star Farms:

Experience Details - 1:

Old VS. New Wine Tasting

Learn what it means to “age like fine wine” as Black Star Farms Winemaker, Kevin Uhl, guides you through a vertical tasting of four of the region’s signature varietals. Participants will taste and compare a current vintage alongside an older one from Black Star Farms library cellar. This is a great way to experience the evolution of wine once it is bottled!

Library Vintages:

• Chardonnay
• Riesling
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Franc

Black Star Farms:

Experience Details - 2

Cooking Demonstration and Wine Dinner

Experience the magic of food and wine pairing with this progressive cooking demonstration and wine dinner at the Inn at Black Star Farms. Watch and learn, then enjoy each course as our Estate Chef, John Korycki, guides you through the evening’s menu designed to showcase the food-friendly nature of our wines.

• Course one: Seared Sea Scallop, Beech and King Trumpet Mushrooms, Arugula, Brown Butter Balsamic Vinaigrette Paired with Arcturos Dry Riesling
• Course Two: Egg Uovo in Raviolo, Asparagus, House Made Ricotta, Swiss Chard, Brown Butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano Paired with Arcturos Pinot Noir Blanc
• Course Three: Roast Lamb, Basil – Roasted Garlic Sauce, Herb Polenta, Wild Ramps Paired with Leorie Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc
• Course Four: Rhubarb Crostata, House Made Vanilla Gelato Paired with Sirius Raspberry dessert wine

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery:

Experience:

Celebrate with the Ciccone family and elevate your wine tasting experience, as you become a VIP Wine Club Member for the day as. This experience features a wine and food pairing event while strolling through the picturesque property. With captivating views of the vineyard and Grand Traverse Bay!

French Valley Vineyards: 

Experience Details: 

Give your taste buds a challenge as you become a part of the team at French Valley Vineyard for the day. This experience gives ticket holders the opportunity to sample unreleased wines before they go on the shelves. Learn the ins and outs of wine tasting and how to pick out certain notes, across several different wine varietals, paired with personal charcuterie boards, designed specifically to enhance each wine.

In addition to this unique hands-on experience, ticket holders will receive an "employee discount" for the night and TAKE 30% OFF all additional wine purchases!!

Wine And Charcuterie Pairings

• Chardonnay Un-oaked 2021 - Goat Cheese & Feta Cheese
• Chardonnay Reserve 2017 - Havarti & Swiss Cheese
• Pinot Noir 2020 - Brie
• Cabernet Franc and Merlot 2018 - Black Forest Sausage
• Merlot Reserve 2017 - Damour Dry Aged Salami

**All charcuterie boards will also include an assortment of nuts, olives, and fruits. Served with crackers and baguette. Please notify team of any allergies prior to arrival**

Good Harbor Vineyards

Experience Details:

Join head winemaker Drew Perry, as he takes you through the ins and outs of creating Good Harbor Vineyards multiple award winning wines. Get the opportunity to taste unreleased wine right from the barrel while enticing your taste buds with an Artisanal charcuterie board and appetizers to compliment. 

Mawby Vineyards and Winery

Experience Details:

Take flight and experience a one of a kind Vintage Vertical Wine tasting, featuring one of Mawby Vineyards prized wines.

Vertical Wine Tasting includes

• Circa 2012 - 100% Estate Pinot Noir 
• Circa 2013 - 100% Estate Vignoles
• Circa 2414 - 54% Pinot Noir, 35% Vignoles, 11% Chardonnay (100% Leelanau Peninsula fruit)

Wines will also be paired with curated cheeses from the infamous ‘The Cheese Lady’ of Traverse City!

Shady Lane Cellar:

Experience Details:

Indulge your senses in a VIP farm to table food & wine pairing, curated by Shady Lane Cellars head winemaker, along with live music from a series of local artists. Ticket holders will also get a behind the scenes look with a vineyard and barrel room tour.

Verterra Winery

Experience Details: 

Accompany the Father and Son co-owning duo, Paul and Geoff Hamelin at their breathtaking location ‘The Ridge at Verterra’ for a walking vineyard tour. Celebrate the start to a new season with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a vertical tasting of select reds from their wine library!

Check Out the other Experiences over the weekend!

May 19th: Click Here

May 21st: Click Here