9&10′s Sara Simnitch and photojournalist Jeremy Erickson go from vine to wine, talking to Mark Carlson of Silver Leaf and Larry Mawby of L Mawby in this special report:

Rochelle says that she’s no stranger to Leelanau and our region: “My husband Tim and I try to get up to  Traverse City 5 or 6 times a year – it’s our regular getaway. Friends of mine have come up for Sip & Savor in the past, but with prom and Mother’s Day this time of year, it’s been hard to get away. I was surprised at how friendly and open everyone who was doing Sip & Savor was – everyone had a smile and it was very interactive and a lot of fun!”

As to her fabulous hat she explains, “My hat took about 8 hours to make and was woven with numerous breast cancer awareness scarves. My best friend Laurie is a breast cancer survivor, and I made it for her but she wasn’t able to make the trip.”

So congratulations to Rochelle, and our random winner who voted for her as the best hat is Joan Bacon!

In Leelanau wineries: What’s new, what’s hot in Northern Michigan, Sandra recounts some of the new things she learned:

There are many new vintner faces, new wines and hot restaurants across the Leelanau Peninsula, which I will be writing about in future blogs. Here’s a little bit of what’s happening across Leelanau County.

The founders of Shady Lane Cellars, two Grand Rapids doctors, recently sold the winery to Richard Fortune who has a summer residence in Lake Leelanau. The sale was completed in March and means Adam Satchwell, winemaker at Shady Lane since 2000, has his eyes on new projects at the winery. Satchwell will soon release a new dry Muscat and his first Merlot for tasting room sales only.

The new partnership that owns Chateau de Leelanau has refreshed this large operation, which has 27 acres in mature vines. Cardiologist Roberta Kurtz sold the winery in 2010 to neighboring cherry growers — Matt Gregory, brother Andrew Gregory, their uncle Don Gregory, and Mark Miezio and Roger Veliquette. The Gregorys own Cherry Bay Orchards. You will notice they remodeled the tasting room on M-22 at Hilltop Road and expanded the offerings with new wines and hard cider — and have new gold medals to show for the efforts of winemaker Matt Gregory. Their cherry wine won Best of Class Fruit Wine at the 2012 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition.

Younger people are owning wineries, taking on managerial positions and/or influencing the direction of the wines: Sam and Taylor Simpson, son and daughter of Debbie and the late Bruce Simpson of Good Harbor, now have leading roles — Sam in making the wine, Taylor in marketing it. Sam is tweaking oldtime favorites such as Trillium and Harbor Red to make them a bit drier. His new “Small Lot” series targets restaurants and is food-friendly and dry — Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Gewurztraminer.

Definitely read on for more and stay tuned to Sandra’s blog.

On the video front, Cortney put together a fun video recap of the day on YouTube that you can watch below!

photo: Tasting Bar at Shady Lane by explortise

Also be sure to also check Accommodations & Lodging and Bed & Breakfasts in our Leelanau Touring Guide! Note that tickets purchased through packages are non-refundable and subject to the terms and conditions of the event.

Relax in a single queen or king deluxe room at the Best Western Four Seasons with your own personal 2-1/2 person rated jetted tub, non-smoking only, complete with microwave, mini-refrigerator, DVD player, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea maker, and hair dryer.  Included is our 24 hour 11 ft. deep indoor heated pool,  and complimentary hot breakfast with free room service.  This two night (Friday & Saturday) package with two tickets to this fun event is just $390 plus tax.  Call 888-499-3060 to reserve.

The Cambria Suites of Traverse City will tempt you at this year’s Harvest Stompede event on September 7th and 8th.  They are offering a two night package for $438.00 which will include two (2) tickets per room. Call (231) 778-9000 to make your reservation!

The Comfort Inn Harvest Stompede package includes lodging on Friday and Saturday nights, tickets for two (2) to the wine trail event and a delicious hot breakfast each morning. The package price is $370 + tax for a room with 2 queen beds, or $398 + tax for a King jacuzzi room. Add Sunday night for only $60!

The Traverse City Econo Lodge offers Harvest Stompede participants a rate of $233 + tax for a two night stay, two tickets for the wine tour and a special gift at check-in.  Rate is based on two adults per room, and you can add a room night for $54.95.  Room choices include rooms with two queen beds or one king bed with a spa tub.  They have an indoor pool and hot tub, free continental breakfast and free wifi and are located on the southwest side of Traverse City at Chums Corners.

Enjoy this great FALL Leelanau Peninsula Wine Event and treat yourselves to great accommodations at the Traverse Bay Inn. Third Night FREE when staying two nights, can’t stay the third night? Just plan on a leisurely morning and a late check out on your departure day. Just $348.00 + taxes for a King Jacuzzi Suite, first come first serve, when they are gone Fireplace or Queen Suites will be available. Package Includes: Two Nights Lodging for two PLUS the Third Night FREE if you like. Complimentary bottle of our Private Label Champagne and two souvenir glasses along with a couples Harvest Stompede ticket! Only available by calling 800-968-2646 or 231-938-2646.

Enjoy your Harvest Stompede weekend at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Their Harvest Stompede package includes a couple’s tasting ticket starting at $189 plus tax per night (2 nights required). Please contact their Front Desk for reservations at 231-922-7900.

Choose the Harvest Stompede Package at The Bluestone Cottage in Leland, Sept 6-8, includes 2 nights lodging for 8, eight tickets for the Harvest Stompede event , and a bottle of Blustone Vineyards wine. Gather your 8-10 best friends together and stay at The Bluestone Cottage in Leland for a classic Up North weekend at this 4-bedroom, 3-bath vacation rental. Enjoy all that Leland has to offer; endless beaches, Historic Fishtown, plus easy access to the Leelanau Wine Trail. $150/person. To reserve, call 616-970-0884 or email: info@lelandcottage.com. More info on our website www.lelandcottage.com

Enjoy Cherry Tree Inn & Suites, the top-rated on-water hotel with the Harvest Stompede Festival package, which includes a two-night stay in any of their 18 room types, two tickets to the event, a box of locally-made chocolate truffles, and all the 5-star amenities the Cherry Tree Inn & Suites offers, including bay-side heated outdoor pool and spa. Stomp away and enjoy a Traverse City stay at the best – Cherry Tree Inn & Suites. Two-night packages start at $374 for non-bay-view rooms or just $394 for bay-view rooms! Call (877) 778-8999 to reserve today!

Photo: Harvest Stompede by lpwines

Friday evening from 6:30-9:00p, our 10 wineries and cidery will be releasing 20 new 2011 and 2012 wines/ciders at The Bluebird Restaurant & Tavern in Leland! Tickets are still available, but going fast – click to order!

On Saturday, join them in their tasting rooms for complimentary tastings of brand new releases.

The event is the world’s largest charitable wine competition and saw a record 3,502 wines entered from 880 wineries, 20 countries, 4 Canadian Provinces and all 50 United States. Event founder Peter Parts explains: “This year’s Finger Lakes International Wine Competition has the most diverse international group of judges ever assembled in the United States to give the entrants the best possible global palate and global opinion.”

Opinion favored Leelanau as Black Star Farms took home a pair of double golds for their 2011 Arcturos Pinot Noir and 2011 Arcturos Riesling and the 2011 45 White (a blend of Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) from 45 North Vineyard & Winery captured double gold for vinifera/non-vinifera white blend.

Other Gold Honors

• Black Star Farms 2011 Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay
• Boathouse Vineyards License to Chill Pinot Noir Rose
• Boathouse Vineyards Semi Sweet Riesling
• Chateau Fontaine Dry White Riesling
• Verterra 2012 Verterra Chaos Cuuee

Click here for the complete list of 2013 results and (if you want) read last year’s report from the FLIWC.

For starters, Bon Appetit has listed Traverse City among its Top Five Food Towns; TripAdvisor.com dubbed it One of America’s Top Ten Wine Destinations in 2009; and in 2012, National Geographic included it as one of its Top 10 Summer Trips in the World. Celebrity Chef Mario Batali summers on the Leelanau Peninsula and spends a good deal of time unwinding in the Traverse City area, nibbling on tart pie cherries and sipping local wines.

…Traverse City takes all food seriously. The area is home to three James Beard-nominated chefs and has a strong farm-to-table viewpoint. These locavores embrace the bounty of neighboring farms and lakes. Many award-winning restaurants feature grass-fed beef, local pork and sausages, and cheese from nearby dairies. Fresh lake trout and whitefish, caught hours earlier, inspire innovative chef specials.

What’s more, Traverse City wine country lies along the 45th parallel (the same latitude as the Bordeaux region of France) in a unique microclimate that is producing some very impressive vitis vinifera wines. The region has earned the respect of leading wine critics who are impressed with the ability of local wine- growers to identify and cultivate the grapes most suitable to its terroir. In fact, USA Today named the area One of the Top Ten Places to Enjoy Local Wines in 2010.

Read on for lots more and definitely put Traverse City and Leelanau’s wineries at the top of your “must-visit” list!

Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery – view map
Black Star Farms – view map
Blustone Vineyards: – view map
Boathouse Vineyards – view map
Boskydel Vineyard – view map
Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill – view map
Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard & Winery – view map
Chateau Fontaine – view map
Cherry Republic Winery – view map
Ciccone Vineyard & Winery – view map
Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery – view map
French Valley Vineyards – view map
Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery – view map
Good Harbor Vineyards – view map
Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard & Winery – view map
L. Mawby – view map
Laurentide Winery – view map
Leelanau Wine Cellars – view map
Longview Vineyard & Winery – view map
Raftshol Vineyards – view map
Shady Lane Cellars – view map
Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery – view map
Tandem Ciders – view map
Verterra Winery – view map
Willow Vineyard – view map

The winery prizes below are awarded by the staff of each winery, but the Grand Prize is awarded by the vote of all the participants in the Sip & Savor tour. This year’s winner will receive two nights lodging at The Homestead in Glen Arbor during any season of the year (subject to availability) and a pair of tickets to any LPVA Weekend tour or the 2013 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival! We’ll also draw one vote at random from all those who voted and that lucky person will receive a pair of tickets to the 2014 Sip & Savor!

Bel Lago will be featuring Chef Hammar’s deliciously gingery Carrot soup paired with their 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling. Their hat prize category is – as always – Best Use of Cork with a prize of a Basket of Coffees with a Cause from Higher Grounds Coffee.

Black Star Farms will serve chicken, chorizo and cheddar empanadas with smoked tomato relish paired with Black Star Farms Margarita using their brandy. They are offering a $25 gift certificate for their staff’s favorite hat!

Blustone Vineyards will be pairing their gold medal 2011 Pinot Grigio with a spring pasta with prosciutto in a three-cheese and roasted garlic cream sauce. They will also be giving a $25 gift certificate to the person with the best “blu” hat!

Boathouse Vineyards will be serving their 2011 Dry Riesling with a bite size quiche by Sisson’s Market of Leland. They will be looking for the Best High Seas Headgear and the winner will get to enjoy a sunset booze cruise with David and the Boathouse Staff!!! Also don’t forget to check out their photo booth – they may give out a prize for best picture!!!

Brengman Brothers will pair Runaway Hen Chardonnay with Prosciutto Wrapped Melon.

Chateau Fontaine presents a Green Chili & Chicken “Mexican Lasagna” with layers of mild green chili enchilada sauce, Mexican cheese blend, and shredded chicken sandwiched between corn tortillas to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! Enjoy with their Best of Show winning 2011 Pinot Blanc. The Best Kentucky Derby Hat will receive a prize.

Chateau de Leelanau is serving Senior Pete’s Pulled Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Salsa. ¡Olé! The ugliest HAT will be awarded a CDL T-Shirt!

Cherry Republic will serve a 7 Layer Mexican Dip paired with their Sangria. They are seeking the most furry hat and will award a Cherry Republic gift box with wine and assorted cherry products.

Ciccone is serving a Tomato Basill Soup with fresh herbs and spices paired with their 2011 Michigan Red,  a semi-sweet blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.  Their hat prize will be awarded for the most Fabulous Floral hat!

Forty-Five North will present smoked salmon on a crostini with herbed chèvre, paired with thier award winning dry Riesling. They are seeking the most Divine hat with prize TBD.

Gill’s Pier will be serving Chef Hannah’s custard-like Savory Bread Pudding with Royce, a lightly oaked Pinot Gris blend rich in flavors of peach, citrus with a toasty vanilla finish. Royce is lean, crisp and a perfect match to Chef’s savory blend of seasonal vegetables and locally sourced cheese. Sip & Savor’s Best Fashionista will receive a Diversions gift certificate.

Good Harbor will serve a buffalo chicken soup paired with their Harbor red. They are looking for the best wine-related sombrero with a prize of a 2013 Leland Wine and Food Festival Poster.

Good Neighbor Organic is serving a Tapas plate: baked wonton filled with shredded pork with choice of sauce:stone ground mustard cream or raspberry jalapeño. Also, skewered grapes with pecan goat cheese and a homemade chocolate covered Twinkie with caramel drizzle and sea salt!! They are looking for the Most Organic Hat.

Laurentide is featuring a Cheddar Cheese Olive Stuffed Morsel from Morsels Espresso + Edibles. The Best Vintage Hat will win a custom Black and White Vineyard Poster Photograph as their prize.

L. Mawby will be pairing their NEW Redd Sparkler and a Spicy Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake with a Chocolate Ganache. They are looking for the ”Hottest Redd Hat” and their prize is a bottle of Redd and 2 complimentary MLawrence tastings

Leelanau Cellars will be serving a 2010 Leelanau Chardonnay with a savory Corn & Crab Chowder. If you have the best nautical-themed hat, you can take home a prize of a print of local Tall Ship Schooners by local artist Charles Murphy.

Longview is featuring their Dry Riesling with a Shrimp Risotto. For their hat prize they will offer a $50 gift certificate to the Cedar Rustic Inn.

Shady Lane Cellars will be serving beef, cheese and green chile enchiladas with their 2011 Cabernet Franc. Their prize for the “most blinged out hat” is a $25 gift certificate to Shady Lane Cellars.

Silver Leaf presents a Spicy Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup paired with their fabulous Fling, a semi-sweet rose. The Best Wine fiesta hat will receive the Wine Nerd game. Honorable Mentions will receive Silver Leaf tasting room wine gift items.

Tandem Ciders will serve crepes with wild leeks and Leelanau raclette & Sweetheart cider. The staff of Tandem Ciders will award a $25 gift certificate for Frida’s Bakery in Suttons Bay for the “Apple of our Eye” – the hat they like best!

Verterra will offer Flautas - Flour tortillas, rolled up with chicken, cheese, black beans, and roasted corn, deep fried, and topped with ribbon of sour cream and a little salsa.   They will also have a spiced up salsa as an alternative topping for those who are more adventurous!!! The wine pairing will be their 2011 Pinot Grigio. The “Most Colorful Hat” as judged by the tasting room staff will win two bottles of Verterra wine.

Willow will be serving Chocolate Caramel Strawberry shortcake with Pretty in Pink Rose and they are awarding a Willow T-shirt and gift certificate to the wearer of the best jungle-themed hat.

Photo credit: Sip & Savor Hats by Robert Freimuth

Stay with the Comfort Inn for the Spring Sip & Savor wine event. The package includes lodging Friday and Saturday evenings, and (2) Sip & Savor tickets. The package price is $238 for a room with 2 queen beds, or $278 for room with a king bed and 2 person hot tub. Both include a delicious hot breakfast.

The Sip & Savor package at Cambria Suites includes two nights lodging in a luxurious oversized King suite with two tickets to the wine weekend’s festivities. All for $278 plus tax.

Best Western Four Seasons fun getaway offers your choice of a Friday & Saturday night in a variety of single queen or king deluxe rooms with jetted tubs or deluxe rooms with single queen or single king beds with no jetted tubs. All rooms feature new 42″ LCD high definition TV’s, microwave, mini-refrigerators, DVD players, iron/ironing boards, hair dryer and coffee/tea makers in each room. The hotel offers a 11 foot deep indoor heated 24 hour pool, hot breakfast with free room service, pillow bar, fresh baked cookies and milk from 6-8pm at the front desk, welcome snack basket, with all beds triple sheeted with synthetic hypoallergenic down pillows. Your package includes tickets for two for the event. Rooms with jetted tubs for two nights – $258 plus tax, or rooms without jetted tubs – $218 plus tax. All rooms are either single queen or single king. Limited number of single kings available. For more information or to book direct, call 231-778-7000 or 888-499-3060.

Enjoy this great SPRING Leelanau Peninsula Wine Event and treat yourselves to great accommodations at the Traverse Bay Inn. Third Night FREE when staying two nights – can’t stay the third night? Just plan on a leisurely morning and a late check out on your departure day. Just $273 + taxes for a King Jacuzzi Suite, first come first serve, when they are gone Fireplace or Queen Suites will be available. Package Includes: Two Nights Lodging for two PLUS the Third Night FREE if you like. Complimentary bottle of our Private Label Champagne and two souvenir glasses along with a couples Spring Sip and Savor ticket! Only available by calling 800-968-2646 or 231-938-2646.

The Traverse City Econo Lodge offers Sip and Savor packages of a two night stay for two adults, two Sip and Savor tickets and a special gift at check in all for only $201.80 + tax. Add a third night for just an additional $44.95 + tax. Take your choice of rooms with two double beds, two queen beds or one king bed. Rooms with spa tubs may be available. They have an indoor pool and hot tub, free wifi and continental breakfast. They are located on the southwest side of Traverse City at Chums Corners. 231-943-3040

Enjoy your Sip & Savor getaway at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Our Sip & Savor package includes two relaxing nights in one of our deluxe guest rooms and a couple’s Sip & Savor ticket for $129 plus tax per night. Please contact our Front Desk for reservations at 231-922-7900.

Sip & Savor with Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast, May 4th & 5th. Package includes 2 nights lodging, Couple’s tickets, a light breakfast Saturday morning, a hosted bus trip to 5 local wineries, with dinner Saturday evening at the Western Avenue Grill! Self-guided tour on Sunday to wineries of your choosing. Packages start at $450 per couple. Call 1.877.253.4200 to book your trip!

The newly renovated Cherry Tree Inn & Suites has just the right setting to do a little Sip & Savor! The hotel features pillow-top mattresses, HD TV’s, an indoor pool and hot tub, and outdoor bayside pool and spa, and a free hot breakfast. Their package includes two nights in a choice of one of their 18 different room types, two tickets to Sip & Savor, and a welcome packet of information on the event and the area. Rates for standard non-bay-view rooms starts at $238 for the weekend. Bay views suites start at $358. Reserve on their website or call and ask for the Sip & Savor Package.

Enjoy the spring Sip and Savor event this May with Bayshore Resort on May 4th and 5th, 2013! Choose to stay one or two nights in one of our 5 rooms types, including a romantic King Spa Room. This package comes with two tickets to the Sip and Savor event, a discounted rate on your room, and breakfast for two in the morning. Rates are starting at $166 for your first night, or $272 for the weekend! Please ask for the Sip and Savor package when you call 1-800-634-4401 to reserve your rooms.

The Homestead will offer a Sip and Savor package that includes two nights lodging May 3rd to May 5th, Dinner at Nonna’s one evening, tickets to the Sip and Savor wine trail event and a pass to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Rates are from $94 per person per night.

Photo credit:  Sip & Savor with a View by Robert Freimuth