Experience Leelanau

Details & Info

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.

Tickets - May 19th

Participating Wineries - May 19th

Amoritas Vineyard
Bel Lago Vineyard
Shady Lane Cellars

Tickets - May 20th

Participating Wineries - May 20th

45 North Winery & Vineyard
Amoritas Vineyard
Black Star Farms
Ciccone Vineyard
French Valley Vineyard
Good Harbor Vineyard
Mawby Vineyard
Shady Lane Cellars
Verterra Winery

Tickets - May 21st

Participating Wineries - May 21st

Aurora Cellars
Black Star Farms
Mawby Vineyard
Verterra Winery

Winery Experience Details

45 North Winery - Barrel Tasting tour

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.

Experience Day: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 12pm – 2pm & 2pm – 4pm

Amoritas Vineyards - Vineyard and wine tour

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.

Experience Days: Friday, May 19th & Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 12pm – 2pm both days

Aurora Cellars - Tasting with the winemaker

Experience a guided tour throughout Aurora Cellars estate vineyards with head Winemaker, Drew Perry.

Ticket holders will get a unique opportunity to ask questions an get insights to all the aspects of growing grapes and intricacies of Michigan viticulture, followed by a one on one tasting tour with Drew. Experience will feature special bottles from the library as well as early releases of future vintages. Lastly, ticket holders will enjoy a specifically curated lunch on the property, while taking in the beautiful scenery surrounding Aurora Cellars.

Experience Days: Saturday, May 21st
Reservation Times: 12pm – 3pm

Black Star Farms - 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

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Black Star Farms - 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 Date

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 6pm – 8pm

Black Star Farms - Sunday Brunch

Join us for our first-ever wine-paired brunch at our Suttons Bay Tasting Room. Our EstateChef, John Korycki, creates a special four-course menu demonstrating that wine pairing
does not have to be relegated to dinner only. What better way to start your day than by
enjoying a gourmet brunch while learning about Michigan wine!

Course One: Asparagus Frittata, Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Paired with Arcturos Pinot Blanc
Course Two: Ratatouille Vegetable Tartlet Paired with Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay
Course Three: Swiss Chard Crêpe, Gruyere, Prosciutto Ham Paired with Arcturos Pinot Noir Rosé
Course Four: Crispy Potato Cake, Hot Smoked Salmon, Dill Crême Fraichen Paired with Arcturos Pinot Noir

Experience Days: Sunday, May 21st
Reservation Times: 12pm – 2pm

Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery - Barrel Tasting & Live Music

Experience a “Grapes to Glass” barrel room tasting with senior winemaker Blake Lougheed. Followed by an intimate food and wine pairing, accompanied by live music from local artists.

Expereince Days: Friday, May 19th
Reservation Times: 6:30pm – 9pm

Ciccone Vineyard - Wine & Food Tasting

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!

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 12pm – 2pm

FOOD & WINE 101 Wine and Charcuterie Pairing: A Gastronomic Exploration - MAY 20th

Course Title: Wine and Charcuterie Pairings: A Gastronomic Exploration

Course Code: Food & Wine 101

Course Description: Embark on a flavorful journey as we delve into the world of wine and charcuterie pairings in this unique and interactive course. In this class, we will guide you through the intricate process of selecting the perfect combinations of wine and charcuterie to elevate your palate and enhance your sensory experiences.

Check out French Valley Vineryard’s website for more information on the series of guided tastings

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 6pm – 9pm

More info

Good Harbor Vineyards - unreleased wine tasting

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.

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 12pm – 2pm

Mawby Vineyards - Vertical Tasting from the wine archives

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

Vertical Wine Tasting

Circa 2012 – 100% Estate Pinot Noir
Circa 2013 – 100% Estate Vignoles
Circa 2014 – 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!

Experience Days: Saturday, May 20th & Sunday, May 21st
Reservation Times: 10am – 12pm both days

Shady Lane Cellars - wine, food and music experience

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.

Experience Days: Friday, May 19th & Saturday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 6pm – 8pm

Verterra Winery - Vineyard and wine tasting tour

Accompany 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!

Experience Days: Friday, May 20th
Reservation Times: 2pm – 4pm