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The Homestead

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Lake Michigan’s spectacular vistas make this a resort unlike others. The color of the water–sometimes blue, sometimes turquoise, sometimes golden–is one reason why. Another is relaxing along the water. You and each member of your family or group can do as much or as little as you like.

That’s why this resort is celebrated, both near and far, as The Homestead, America’s Freshwater Resort.

Lake Michigan Resort

Though expansive, the resort is quite simple to picture.

It was designed, built and is managed to help you enjoy the Most Beautiful Place in America.

On its west are miles of sandy beaches on which you can walk for hours. The beaches are soothing by day, spectacular at sunset, remarkably romantic on starry nights. To its east is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the area chosen by the viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as “The Most Beautiful Place in America.”

Within the resort, neighborhoods separated by nature provide a wide range of high-quality accommodations. Some are perfect for couples, some for families, and some for groups. All are beautiful. There are shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. There are places for weddings, , and meetings. All of them are staffed by caring and attentive professionals.

You could be pampered at the spa or salon, sit by a pool, play a round of golf or hike in the National Lakeshore. Or, you could teach your kids to swim, play tennis or golf, ski or snowboard.

Simply said, you decide how you want to spend your time in the Most Beautiful Place in America. We take care of the rest.

The Homestead
1 Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
231-334-5100

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The Homestead Resort Photos (Click on photos for slideshow view)
 

The Homestead Resort On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from The Homestead Resort Page On Facebook.

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The Homestead Resort – Photos via Instagram

The latest photos from the instagram account of The Homestead Resort.
 

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The Homestead – Photos From Instagram

Here are the latest photos of The Homestead via instagram. If you have an instagram photo to share of your visit to The Homestead, choose “The Homestead” as your location and your photos will appear in the photo stream below.
 

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August 20, 2009 |

Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery

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Bel Lago wines are made from grapes grown in family-owned vineyards overlooking Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan.

Bel Lago Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1987 by Domenic, Ruth, and Amy Iezzoni and Charles Edson. The emphasis at Bel Lago has been on quality, with an unwavering commitment to excellence. We are winegrowers, and believe firmly, the old adage “the wines are made in the vineyard”. Bel Lago wines are based on the production of quality fruit from select clones of a very unique varietals mix.

We invite you to enjoy our carefully crafted Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Auxerrois as well as a variety of other wines.
 

Click on photos for slideshow view.

Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery – Quick Links

Wines

Vineyards

Winemaking

Tasting Room

Bel Lago Winery and Vineyard
6530 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Cedar, MI 49621
231-228-4800

Visit Bel Lago Winery and Vineyard Website >>>>

August 10, 2009 |

Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery

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Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery was founded in 2005 by Patti and Mark Carlson and opened on September 6th, 2008. Located just north and west of Suttons Bay, the 30 acre estate is nestled among cherry and apple orchards where the vineyard is planted in rich loamy soil with a gentle slope on high ground. The tasting room opens to a deck through double French doors where there are tree-top level views overlooking scenic Leelanau County. Our goal is to produce exceptional wines through small batch fermentation and attention to detail with a passion for rustic elegance and to share our experience with our friends and guests.

Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery
11087 E Silver Leaf Farm Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231.271.3111

Visit Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery Website >>>>

August 5, 2009 |

Verterra Winery

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When our family entered the world of grape growing and wine making, we focused on one thing above all else – staying true to our land. Five years later, we are proud to offer our first vintage of hand-crafted red, white and fruit wines, which we feel embody the essence of what Leelanau Peninsula provides.

Our goal is simple. Begin with high, sloped property with the right soil types. Then, plant the varietals, clones and rootstocks that have proven to produce great fruit in our area, are sought after by consumers and tourists, and make wines that we like.

Next, plant and farm these grapes with an eye towards the highest possible quality and sustainability. We are committed to going the extra mile with our vineyard practices, appropriate yet minimal chemical application, small yields, hand pruning, tying and harvesting, and closely evaluating fruit quality and timing harvest based on both science and taste.

Once our fruit is harvested, we waste no time in getting the fresh, cool fruit to the crush pad and into the hands of French Road Cellars Doug Matthies and Shawn Walters, who have already displayed the capability of producing some of Michigan’s finest wines.

Please share this remarkable moment with us in our new tasting room located in downtown Leland across from the Bluebird restaurant, where we will be waiting to greet you with a sample of our wine and a welcoming smile.

Hours
Monday – Thursday 11:30 – 6 PM
Friday & Saturday 11:30 – 7 PM
Sunday – 12 – 5 PM

Verterra Winery
103 E. River Street
Leland, MI 49654
231-256-2115

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August 4, 2009 |

L. Mawby

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Our goal has always been to produce the finest wines possible. We strive to make wines that express the unique soil and climate in which they grow, the personal attention they are given in vineyard and wine cellar, and the winegrower’s esthetic. Our wines are living things, raised with care, giving voice to our joie de vivre.

We have produced estate grown and bottled Leelanau Peninsula wines since our first crush in the fall of 1978. Now we make principally methode champenoise and cuve close method sparkling wines. Most wines are from our estate vineyards; however, we are producing some wines from grapes purchased from other vineyards. Our current annual production is less than 4000 cases: this modest volume allows us the pleasure of winemaking in the style we enjoy – barrel fermented small lots made with minimal handling.

All of our L. Mawby sparkling wines are made using the methode champenoise, and are aged in the bottle before disgorging, with many cuvees being given 3 or more years of tirage aging. Our M. Lawrence sparkling wines are produced in the cuve close method, are given less aging, and are less costly than the method champenoise sparkling wines.

Visit Us:
The winery tasting room is open to the public:

November through April – Thursday through Saturday – Noon to 5pm
May through October – Monday through Saturday – Noon to 6pm; Sunday – Noon to 5pm

Visits at other times may be arranged by appointment; groups numbering more than 12 persons are discouraged.

L. Mawby
4519 S Elm Valley Rd
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-3522

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August 28, 2008 |

Good Harbor Vineyards

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If it is a cliché that wine is made in the vineyard, it is a cliché that we live by at Good Harbor Vineyards. Close to thirty vintages have shown us that whatever beneficial actions are taken tending the vines will show up later as better tasting wines. Our goal is to sell wines that are a joy to drink.

Good Harbor Vineyards has over 65 acres planted to vine and one of the largest Pinot Grigio plantings in Michigan. Good Harbor is still family owned and operated by Debbie, and their two children Taylor and Sam Simpson.

Our tasting room offers free self-guided tours and tastings of most of our wines.

The tasting room hours of operation are:
May – October: Mon – Sat 11-5, Sun 12-5
November – April: Sat 12-5 or by appointment

Good Harbor Vineyards
34 S. Manitou Trail
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-256-7165

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August 22, 2008 |

Leelanau Cellars

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Visit our tasting room year round in beautiful Omena and sample our award-winning Chardonnays, Riesling, Meritage and Fruit Wines. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff will enhance your wine tasting experience.

Leelanau Cellars’ wines have evolved over the years from the first release in 1977, but the philosophy has remained constant; to produce quality, consumer friendly wines, affordable to everyone.

Over 90 acres of vineyards in Leelanau County are patiently manicured to produce over 30 varieties of wines available through retail stores throughout the Great Lakes region, by mail-order and in the winery’s water-front tasting room on the shores of the Grand Traverse Bay in quaint and picturesque Omena, MI, on M-22, 20 miles north of Traverse City.

The tasting room is open year round to allow you to experience the enjoyment of tasting award winning wine in our own “delight of life” or “little piece of heaven” as the Jacobson family commonly refers to it. Relax during the day at the Winery’s tasting room and water front marina, a nearby beach or one of the many trails through the north woods, or spend a night or two in one of the nearby inns and enjoy the area restaurants.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our wines with you. As always, tastings are free.

Tasting room hours
Daily Monday-Sunday 10-6, Sunday 12-6

Leelanau Cellars
5019 N. West Bay Shore Drive (M-22)
Omena, MI 49674
231-386-5201

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August 18, 2008 |

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery

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Chateau de Leelanau vineyards and winery are located near the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula overlooking both Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay.

Today the vineyard’s picturesque setting is yielding some of the finest wines ever produced from this new and progressive wine country. Chateau de Leelanau’s wines have been recognized for their quality, freshness, and complex allure with a continuing series of Gold Medal awards since their first vintage in 1999.

Wholesale Sales through Mitten Wine Logistics – 231-218-4271.

May – November:
Monday-Saturday 11-6, Sunday 12-5

December – April
Thu-Mon 12-5

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery
5048 S. West Bayshore Dr.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-8888

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August 14, 2008 |

Ciccone Vineyard and Winery

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We sit on a forty acre parcel in panoramic view of West Grand Traverse Bay to the East and Elm Valley to the West. Most of our vineyards face west, enjoying the long summer days.

Vineyard:
We have 16 acres planted in a variety of grapes; Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Dolcetto, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat, Malbec, Foch and DeChaunac.

Wines:
We make a variety of fine wines, for which we have won a variety of medals; check our web site. We invite you to savor our fine wines and the beauty of our vineyard.

Wine Tasting Room Hours:
April & May: Thurs-Sun 12-6
June-October: Daily 12-6
November: Thurs-Sun 12-5
December-March: Sat only 12-5

These days and hours are subject to change without notice due to events. Please call ahead with groups of 10 or more.

Wine Tasting Room and Special Event Room:
Our facility is available for special parties, wedding receptions, wedding rehearsal dinners. See our web page for more details or call 231-271-5553 for more information.

Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
10343 East Hilltop Rd.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-5553

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August 8, 2008 |

Black Star Farms

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Black Star Farms is a destination offering visitors a variety of distinctive choices, showcasing Leelanau Peninsula’s rich heritage and agricultural abundance. World-class products and services including premium vinifera wines and fruit brandies, hand-crafted cheese, an all-season B&B Inn, a championship equestrian facility and recreational trails provide guests a full sensory experience.

We are a small winery with a hand-crafted approach to winemaking. Fine wines require patience, attention to the vines and fruit and to processing. Respect for traditional winemaking and the opportunities in our emerging wine region are also vital. Our wines reflect this care from the premium Arcturos, A Cappella, and Leorie Vineyards varietals to our Sparkling Wine and Sirius Dessert Wines. Many are award winners and all represent the best efforts of our skilled winemaking team.

Open daily at Black Star Farms, our main tasting room offers tastings of our wines and fruit brandies, unique gifts and Leelanau Cheese.

Hours
May thru October M-S 10-6, Sun 12-5
November thru April M-S 11-5, Sun 12-5

Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-944-1250

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August 7, 2008 |

Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery

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Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery, located in the heart of beautiful Leelanau County, Michigan and directly on the 45th parallel, is a family-owned producer of many award-winning wines. The tasting room, a rustic post-and-beam barn hand hewn by the Amish in Ohio, was recently completed and officially opened in June. Aside from offering regular wine tasting and sales during business hours, we can also accommodate private tastings and special events including weddings – please call for more information.

Tasting Room Hours
May-October: Mon-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-6
November-April: Fri-Sun 12-5, or by appointment (call 231-357-2215 or 271-1188)

Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery
8580 E. Horn Road
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-271-1188

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July 30, 2008 |

Chateau Fontaine

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Getting its French title from proprietor Lucie Matthies’ middle name and paying homage to the French immigrants who settled in the area, Chateau Fontaine was a deserted potato farm and cow pasture when Dan Matthies discovered the property in the 1970’s with its favorable south-facing slopes for growing grapes.

Today, the cow pasture is one of three vineyards totaling 22 acres of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, among others.

Chateau Fontaine’s white wines are a dry Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and “Woodland White”, made from Auxerrois, a little known grape variety in this country, originally from France. Semi-dry Gewurztraminer and semi-sweet White Riesling are our less dry selections. Our red wines are Pinot Noir and “Woodland Red”, an estate grown blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. We also have an excellent Cherry wine made from tart cherries grown nearby. Our wines are available at the tasting room near Lake Leelanau, at fine wine shops in the Leelanau and Grand Traverse area, and at select retailers around the state.

Chateau Fontaine
2290 S. French Rd.
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-256-0000

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July 28, 2008 |

Green Bird Cellars & Organic Farms

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The vineyard, the orchard, the farm animals, the wildlife, the forest, and our families are all one living organism that make up our farm. By treating the farm using sustainable, organic practices we are taking responsibility for the long term viability of the whole and we think this sense of character and pride comes through in our products.

A true way to taste

Our tasting room is located amongst a 67 acre organic farm on the Leelanau Peninsula. We are two miles south of the picturesque waterfront community of Northport. Come visit the tasting room to try our estate made wines, handcrafted hard ciders, and locally made microbrews. Get a glass of your favorite and stay to experience the serenity of the farm.

Organic Farming

We follow a holistic approach to carrying for and managing the land. Rather than using conventional methods, such as strictly foliar feeding and using synthetic chemicals, we opt to amend the soils with nutrient rich compost and fish fertilizer. Our foliar feeding and pest management is done using natural methods such as neem oil, seaweed, probiotic culture, fermented herbal teas, and kaolin clay. We believe by following these practices we have a more symbiotic relationship between us, the earth, and the fruit it provides. We are Michigan’s only certified organic vineyard, orchard, and winery. Green Bird Cellars and Organic Farms is annually inspected and certified by Indiana Certified Organic (ICO) LLC, which is licensed by the USDA.

Green Bird Cellars & Organic Farms
9825 Engles Road
Northport, MI 49670
231-386-5636

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July 22, 2008 |

Dunes Golf Club

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We have 18 holes for your enjoyment. We are a casual, friendly course featuring 5730 yards of relaxing golf. Our location in the Glen Lake – Sleeping Bear Dunes Area gives you many opportunities to enjoy all of Northern Michigan’s outdoor activities.

Course History

Dunes Golf Club was built in 1982, and opened the following spring as a 3152 yard 9 hole course. Back nine construction began in the fall of 1989. It opened in the fall of 1991. Although shorter, at 2578 Yards, the back nine is still harder for most golfers, thanks to its tight tree lined fairways.

Dunes Golf Club
6464 W. Empire Hwy (M-72)
Empire, MI 49630
231-326-5390

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July 20, 2008 |

Longview Winery and Vineyard

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Welcome to Longview Winery, where estate-grown wines are the signature of our boutique style winery. Our wines are available for complementary tasting at our tasting room, which is located next door to the Cedar Rustic Inn, just north of the village of Cedar.

Five Michigan ‘Best of Class’ trophies in our first four years! Come taste the best!

Tasting Room Hours:

May-October: Mon-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5
November: Mon-Sun 12-5
December: Fri-Sun 12-5
January: Closed
February-April: Fri-Sun 12-5

Appointment required for groups of 10 or more.

Longview Winery and Vineyard
8697 Good Harbor Trail (CR 651)
Cedar, MI 49621
231-228-2880

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July 20, 2008 |

Raftshol Vineyards

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First a dairy enterprise, and then a cherry orchard, this farm now annually produces over 1000 cases of Bordeaux varietal red wines, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, and also produces fine Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer white wines.

Brothers Warren and Curtis Raftshol began the latest incarnation of their family farm in 1985. They were the first vineyard in the area to grow commercial-sized plantings of red vinifera grapes, which most local growers believed would fail in our northern climate. Their gamble paid off, as they are still renowned for Raftshol Red, one of the first red wines made in Northern Michigan (produced by Peninsula Cellars of Old Mission). Other local vineyards have since followed the Raftshol’s lead and are now growing red grapes.

A picture of the Raftshol’s mother Jean when she was twenty, graces the sign at the road. Because of Jean’s foresight in keeping the farm for her children, the Raftshol brothers are able to continue the long and honorable family tradition of earning a living from the land. The Raftshol Vineyards’ wine tasting room is open from noon until 5 p.m., seven days a week, year round.

Raftshol Vineyards
1865 N West Bay Shore Drive
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-5650

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July 19, 2008 |

Shady Lane Cellars

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We are located on the Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan where the cool climate creates our deliciously vibrant wines. This unique climate allows our winemaker Adam Satchwell to honor nature’s ripe fruit qualities in every hand-crafted bottle of Shady Lane.

Our tasting room is a century old fieldstone chicken coop that we lovingly renovated and converted to our tasting room. It’s a memorable environment to enjoy our exceptional wines.

We invite you to visit us for the full Shady Lane experience. Until then, please enjoy our wines in your local restaurants and most importantly in the comfort of your home.

Tasting Room

Shady Lane Cellars’ tasting room is located at 9580 Shady Lane, Suttons Bay, Michigan. To taste and purchase our wines, just take M-22 north from Traverse City 8 miles, then left on Shady Lane 1 mile.

Hours

May 1 – October 31
Monday through Saturday 11:00 to 6:00
Sunday 12:00 to 5:00

November
Friday & Saturday 11:00 to 5:00
Sunday Noon to 5:00

December & January
Saturday 11:00 to 5:00

February, March & April
Saturday 11:00 to 5:00
Sunday Noon to 5:00

Or by appointment

Shady Lane Cellars
9580 Shady Lane
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-947-8865

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July 16, 2008 |

Boskydel Vineyards

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All of Boskydel wines are 100-percent estate-bottled. That means the grapes used to make the wine came from our “estate” or property. Some wineries would lead you to believe that you are drinking a local product, but if it doesn’t say Leelanau Peninsula or Old Mission Peninsula on the label, the grapes could have come from just about anywhere.

All Boskydel wines are French-American hybrids, grown to withstand the cold winters while producing a high-quality stock of vin ordinaires , which can be enjoyed at substantially lower prices than wines of “higher breeding.”

CASH OR CHECK ONLY. WE DON’T TAKE PLASTIC.

Boskydel Vineyards
7501 E. Otto Road
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-256-7272

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July 15, 2008 |

Willow Vineyard

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We began by planting Chardonnay, followed by Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Our gate is open for you to experience the breathtaking views of West Bay.

We welcome you to taste our wines, experience our European influenced vineyards and enjoy the views.

Located on a beautiful, windswept hillside, the panoramic views of West Traverse Bay add to the majesty of our vineyard & tasting room. Picnics welcome!

Tasting Room Hours
May thru October Daily 12 to 6 Sun. 12 to 5
November weekends 12 to 5
December thru April: Sat. 12 to 5 or by appointment.
January – February: By appointment only.

Willow Vineyard
10702 East Hilltop Rd.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-4810

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July 12, 2008 |

Circa Estate Winery

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Unique among Michigan wineries, Circa stands as a timeless testament to creative inspiration. Each wine, a blank canvas. Each experience, subjective. From instinct to perfection, from yesterday to tomorrow, Circa can be anything to everyone. So taste for yourself – and truly explore your palate for the first time. Whatever words you choose to describe your experience, make Circa your own.

Five varietals. Infinite descriptions.

The intonation begins in the vineyard. Winemaker Margaret Bell selects perfect Leelanau Peninsula grapes, gently tended, picked and sorted by hand, then pressed into service for your palate. Circa Estate artisan wines with charismatic styles, beautifully presented in striking bottles filled with imagination, are ultimately yours to define.

Cabernet Franc. A sip for today. A treasure for tomorrow. Careful, small yields producing unique, grand flavors. Fine food pairing. French oak barrels. Complex. Character.

Requisite. Fruit forward. Food friendly. Pleasantly unpretentious. Exceptional. Exquisite.

Pinot Grigio. A fine, formal table. A stylish, summer picnic. Crisp. Fruity. Flavorful. Perfect.

Chardonnay. Fresh. Fruity. Just a bit racy. Fermented in polished, stainless steel tanks. Flavorful. A complement to food. A complement to friends.

Improvisation. Barely sweet. Backyard Treat. Front porch pleasantries. Impromptu gatherings. Hand-sorted and precisely orchestrated for chance occurrences. Informal. Inviting.

Circa Estate Winery
7788 E. Horn Rd.
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-271-1177

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July 11, 2008 |

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