November marks yet another milestone for Leelanau Peninsula’s Blustone Vineyard; the 40-acre family-owned vineyard opened their highly anticipated tasting room this month to showcase wines already achieving top honors in international competition.
“We’re very excited to be introducing Blustone to so many new friends and are encouraged by their response to our new tasting room and to our wines,” commented owner Tom Knighton. The wood, stone and glass structure sits atop a hill overlooking the vineyard with panoramic views of the Leelanau landscape.
Knighton said more than 800 people visited Blustone’s tasting room last weekend as part of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association’s “Toast the Season” event. Tom and Joan Knighton purchased the vineyard in 2010 and with help from theirseasoned vineyard management and winemaking team achieved success with their very first vintage of unoaked 2010 Chardonnay. The wine won a Gold medal at the Pacific Rim Wine Competition and Double Gold at the Taster’s Guild International Wine Competition.
Before the Knightons purchased the vineyard, it was supplying grapes to various wineries in the area. Today, the Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Blanc, along with 10 acres of cherries supply Blustone with a palatable combination of flavors to charm any wine-lover’s palate. Two years in the making, Knighton said getting to this point has been a team effort, “I couldn’t be prouder of the entire Blustone team – those who care for our vineyard, who make our wine and serve our guests in the tasting room. They’ve helped make Blustone a reality.”
One Blustone guest posted their reactions to the new tasting room on the winery’s Facebook page, “Gorgeous tasting room, fabulous staff, and great wines – a fantastic visit today!” Visit Blustone’s new tasting room located at the vineyard on north Sylt Road in Lake Leelanau to savor any of their award winning wines. The tasting room is open Thursday through Saturday, 12- 5pm throughout the winter. Visitors can taste five wines for five dollars.
Blustone’s recent accomplishments
2010 Chardonnay – Double Gold at Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
2010 Pinot Noir – Silver at Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
2010 Winemakers Red – Silver at Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
2011 Pinot Grigio – Gold at Finger Lakes International Competition
2011 Pinot Noir Rose – Gold at Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
2011 Riesling (dry) – Double Gold at Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition.
2011 Late Harvest Riesling – Gold at Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
2011 Gewurztraminer – Silver at Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
Had a great time in your tasting room for your Grand Opening at the “Toast the Season” event. I enjoyed all of your wines very much, especially your Late Harvest Riesling! We look forward to visiting again!