Edson, of Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery north of Cedar, has more than 100 grape varietals planted on 32 acres in Centerville Township that are susceptible to freezing without snow cover.

“I don’t know how hardy the vines are. I’m guessing not as hardy as we would like,” he said.

…Geoff Hamlin of Verterra Winery said the concerns are two-fold.
“First, if we don’t have cover and the temperatures drop to 0 or below, there’s a chance of losing fruit or killing the vine altogether,” said Hamlin, who has 30 acres planted in wine grapes in Leelanau Township. “Without the cover, as we get into spring and we have several days in the 80s like we did in 2010, the vines will begin to ‘push’ early and jeopardize the crop.”

 

Read on for more and definitely think SNOW (or at least cold but not too cold!)

Photo credit: Vineyard … on the Eve of Spring by Ken Scott

LPVA photographer Robert Freimuth brought back some great photos from Taste the Passion 2012 that capture some of the fun of this sold-out wine tour weekend! Check out his slideshow below or on Flickr!

Sip & Savor’ at Whaleback Inn! Enjoy a quiet, relaxing getaway in the heart of Leelanau County Wine country. Your package includes two nights lodging, two complimentary Sip & Savor tickets, and a bottle of Leelanau Peninsula wine. You may choose a room with a lake view, whirlpool or a cozy wood fireplace. Please view our website at www.whalebackinn.com and call us at 800-942-5322.

Stay with us at Comfort Inn for the Sip and Savor Wine Trail Event. Our package includes lodging for Friday and Saturday evenings, and (2) Sip and Savor tickets. Also included is our delicious hot breakfast each morning. The package price is $218 plus tax. Ask about staying an extra night for just $50!

Sip and Savor Packages both Friday & Saturday May 5th & 6th at the Cambria Suites Hotel and two tickets to this wine trail event for $238.00 plus tax. Cambria is located at 255 Munson Avenue (US-31) in Traverse City!

Enjoy this great SPRING Leelanau Peninsula Wine Event. Two night stay plus two tickets; treat your selves 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 $253 + taxes for a King Jacuzzi Suite, when they are gone Fireplace or Queen Suites will be available. Package Includes: Complimentary bottle of our Private Label Champagne and two souvenir glasses! Only available by calling 800-968-2646 or 231-938-2646.

The newly renovated Econo Lodge of Traverse City offers Sip and Savor participants a rate of $167.90 + tax for a two night stay for two adults, plus two Sip and Savor tickets and a special gift at check in. Guests have their choice of rooms with one king bed or two queen beds. Rooms with spa tubs are available on a first come first served basis. To receive this rate, reservations must be made directly by calling 231-943-3040. Additional fees apply for more than two adults per room. We are located on the southwest side of Traverse City at Chums Corners.

Best Western Four Seasons offers a relaxing weekend for 2 adults for Friday & Saturday night in a deluxe room with in-room jetted tub and tickets for two to the 2012 Sip & Savor for just $188 plus tax. Room includes a hot breakfast and 24 hour access to our 11 ft deep indoor pool.

Come stay with Nature’s Rentals for the Sip & Savor wine tour weekend. Memorable packages include 2 nights lodging and 2 tickets to the Sip & Savor wine event. Be the winner of the Sip o’ de Mayo Hat Contest and we will throw in a gift certificate for a free night! Packages start at $310.00 plus tax.

Packages with Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa start at $89 per adult and includes lodging and (2) tickets to the Spring Sip & Savor event; a brunch-themed wine and food pairing weekend at each of the 19 wineries on the wine trail. This Saturday-Sunday event has been designed to provide seasoned wine trail guests or first time visitors with a truly memorable experience that will allow them to celebrate spring, indulge their senses and learn more about Leelanau Peninsula wines. Most importantly it is an event that delivers fun!

Enjoy the food and wine pairings of the Spring Sip & Savor event with a relaxing stay at the top-rated beachfront hotel in Traverse City – the Cherry Tree Inn & Suites. Packages for 2 nights for 2 adults in a bay view studio start at $214 plus tax. Upgrade to Jacuzzi fireplace bay view studio for $99. Reserve today by calling (877) 778-8999.

Come relax at the Bayshore Resort and enjoy the Spring Sip & Savor. Stay Friday and Saturday night with rates starting at $262 plus taxes for the weekend. Includes two tickets to Sip & Savor and a deluxe continental breakfast each morning. Make reservations by calling 1-800-634-4401.

Fountain Point Resort is located in the middle of Leelanau County on Lake Leelanau. We are offering packages starting at $200 including lodging Friday and Saturday, two Sip & Savor tickets, and continental breakfast. There are rooms in our hotel or private cottages available. Wi-Fi, canoes, kayaks, firewood and more resort amenities – all included. 231-256-9800

Photo credit: Willow by zakzorah

800 tickets and packages have been sold – the most ever for Taste the Passion, and our wineries are ready for a great weekend! Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and make sure to get your tickets early for our next events, the Spring Sip & Savor the weekend of May 5 & 6, 2012 and the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival on Saturday, June 30, 2012.

photo credit: Good Harbor Winery Tasting Room by explortise

Bel Lago will serve a Decadent Dark Chocolate Brownie topped with a Rich Balaton Cherry sauce and will be pairing  it with their new release 2010 bottling of  Bel Lago Red Wine, a barrel aged cabernet franc and merlot blend.  Their cellar is filled to the rafters (almost) with barrels, so no basketball in the barrel room this year. But they will have all the  makings for you to create you own Valentines!

Black Star Farms presents a molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean infused crème anglaise and pistachio cranberry white chocolate bark paired with their Sirius Cherry dessert wine. If someone has a marriage license, Black Star Tasting Room manager Chris Lopez will marry you!

Brengman Brothers will pair Runaway Hen Syrah and a bittersweet chocolate truffle with Parmesan cheese, coarse sea salt, and bacon. Weather permitting, Brengman Brothers will offer cross-country ski trails in their vineyard!

Chateau de Leelanau is serving up Cherry Chipotle Mole Chicken Wings paired with their Riesling Harvest Select.

Chateau Fontaine offers Greek-inspired Chocolate Chili Dogs, topped with Cheddar Cheese and optional onions paired with their Big Paw Red.

Cherry Republic will be serving a chocolate coffee cake truffle with their Shook Dessert Wine. All you “swish and spitters” can have a go at their cherry pit spitting contest with a chocolate gift basket for the winner!

Ciccone Winery features Italian Bruschetta – a slice of grilled Italian bread, rubbed with garlic, sprinkled with salt and pepper, drizzled with olive oil and topped with fresh diced tomatoes paired bringing out the flavor from their 2009 Cabernet Franc. For added fun, they will also feature cork fishing & a wine bottle ring toss!

Forty-Five North will have red wine marinated figs wrapped in bacon with mascarpone cheese and drizzled with a red wine chocolate sauce paired with 45 Red, a blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, & Merlot. They will also have their 1-3 mile groomed trail loops open for skiing.

Gills Pier will be serving Double Fudge Delight Cupcakes and Frosting with Toasted Coconut Sprinkles, paired with their Whitewater, a semi-sweet white wine made with Vignole grapes. They will also give away a VIP Tasting for 8 people – register to win on Saturday or Sunday – a $200 value!

Good Harbor offers Chicken Jalapeno Soup paired with their Pinot Grigio.

L. Mawby will give you one piece each of chocolate/bacon and maple/bacon fudge from 45 Parallel Candy World along with their sparkling JADORE.

Leelanau Cellars will serve a Chocolate Fondue with angel food cake and fresh fruit to dip, paired with their Vintage Port.

Longview Winery Will pair their newly released 2010 Cabernet Franc with the first release of a developing line of new products from The Cedar Rustic Inn: Cherry Wine Chutney atop a delicious braised pork loin.

Silver Leaf entices you with chocolate almond & cherry clusters, paired with two-time gold medal awarded, “Chafia Cherry” wine featuring their new label. They will be offering cross country skiing or snow shoeing on their 2-mile trail during Taste the Passion weekend.The trail starts in the vineyard, winds through the woods & cherry orchard and crosses Tyler Creek. The trail is marked with red ribbons and maps are available. (No equipment provided)

Tandem is serving crepes with chocolate cream cheese filling topped with a Bardenhagen Farms strawberry sauce and paired with cider, of course!

Verterra is serving Vol au Vent Baked French Brie with Verterra Jam (preserves made from wine grapes) and Granny Smith matchstick apples paired with their award-winning Pinot Gris.

Photo credit: L. Mawby’s Pistachio Pound Cake by explortise

The price is $20 per person advance reservation by February 2 and includes one glass of wine and food stations with delectable small plates and coffee. Additional wine available for $4/glass or three glasses for $10. Call The Homestead, 334-5100, to make a reservation with will call ticket at the door for pre-paid reservations. $25 per person admission at the door.

The invitational art exhibit and sale offers recent original works by nine Leelanau artists. The artists will be on hand to discuss their work. This is a great opportunity to meet local artists and celebrate a perfect pairing of wine and art. A portion of the art sales will benefit Glen Arbor Art Association’s summer programs.

Five dollars of each ticket goes to support the Glen Arbor Art Association class scholarships and a free after-school art program for Glen Lake students. Scholarship assistance and the after-school art program provide arts opportunities for those who could not otherwise afford art classes.

For more information go to www.glenarborart.org or call the GAAA office at 334-6112.

Photo credit: Victoria Creek Winter-Looking West by Mary Fuscaldo

Her guest was Riesling superstar Stuart Piggot, and Stuart discussed the phenomenal range of Rieslings, from the very dry to the very sweet, and the very light to the very powerful.

Click to listen to the clip!

• From the LPVA: A pair of tickets to our Taste the Passion event in February AND a pair of tickets to the 2012 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival on June 30, 2012.
• From the Michigan Wine & Grape Council: A wine tote bag with a Michigan corkscrew, glasses and a “Wine Country” magazine inside; a copy of “The History of Michigan Wines” by Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis; canvas “Local Food/Local Flavors” shopping bags; and a complimentary Vintage Michigan membership, which entitles you to discounts at participating wineries.
• From Michigan by the Bottle: A Michigan By The Bottle “I Support the State with Every Sip” T-shirt.

Click through to MBTB for the rules and how to enter! You need to play every day for a chance to win!!

Photo credit: Toast the Season 09 tour by KatSwinehart

Michigan’s reputation for quality wine has surged while its lineup of varieties has expanded. Wineries are now turning highly regarded selections of merlot, pinot noir, pinot blanc, cabernet franc and ice wines, a dessert variety made with grapes frozen before harvesting.

“It’s been like an explosion the last couple of years. They’ve been winning medals left and right, competing across the U.S. and internationally,” said Yolanda Daly, director of the Pacific Rim Wine Competition in San Bernadino, Calif. “Beautiful wines are coming out of Michigan.”

As word spreads, businesses in Michigan’s wine regions reap the benefits. About 1 million people visit the state’s wineries each year. They tend to have enough money for dining out, buying gifts and entertainment, said Brad Van Dommelen, president of the convention and visitors bureau in Traverse City, recently named by TripAdvisor.com as one of America’s top 10 wine destinations. (read)

The industry pumps about $300 million into the state’s economy each year and employs thousands of people in wine production and spinoff jobs in hotels, restaurants and shops.

“We’re also making lists of the top foodie towns because of our restaurants,” Van Dommelen said. “When you offer a top-quality wine experience along with that, it’s huge for tourism—and for the entire local economy.”

Photo credit: “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance” by zakzorah

The Homestead will offer a Taste the Passion package that includes two nights lodging February 3rd to 5th, tickets to Friday night’s Art in Wine Country event at The Homestead, and two tickets to the Taste the Passion wine trail event Saturday and Sunday. Rates are $69 per person per night without skiing, and from $92 per person per night with skiing.

Taste the Passion at Whaleback Inn! Enjoy a quiet, relaxing getaway in the heart of Leelanau County Wine country. Your package includes two nights lodging, (1) complimentary Taste the Passion Couple’s ticket for two, and a bottle of Leelanau Peninsula wine. You may choose a room with a lake view, whirlpool or a cozy wood fireplace. Please view the website at www.whalebackinn.com and call us at 800-942-5322.

The Comfort Inn Taste the Passion package includes lodging on Friday and Saturday nights in a King Hot Tub Room, with a couple’s Taste the Passion ticket for (2) for just $190 plus tax. If you prefer a room with two queen beds, the price for the package would be $170 plus tax. With either package, stay Sunday night with us for just $45. To make reservations, please call 231-778-8000.

Enjoy two nights lodging on Friday and Saturday nights at Cambria Suites in a beautiful King Suite, with one couple’s tickets for the ‘Taste the Passion’ wine tour -all for $210.00 plus tax . Stay an additional night on Sunday for only $65.00 plus tax. To make reservations, please call 231-778-9000. Ask for Group code “Taste the Passion”.

Enjoy this great February Leelanau Peninsula wine event and treat you and your sweetheart 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 $253.00 + 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, a rose, and two souvenir glasses along with Two Taste the Passion tickets! Only available by calling 800-968-2646 or 231-938-2646.

Your passion weekend at Vintage Earth Beach House starts with a sparkling bayside suite, a cozy crackling fireplace, along with the aroma and warmth of our complimentary mulled wine bar. Special weekend discounts on couples side by side Royal Massage. Taste the Passion tour tickets included. Rates from $89 per person, per night, based on minimum double occupancy, groups welcome.

Stay with Visit Up North Vacation Rentals and “Taste the Passion!” They’re offering lodging deals for the weekend of February 4-5 for the annual Leelanau Vintner’s Association Taste the Passion Wine and Chocolate event. One bedroom options for 2 people, 2 nights, 2 Taste the Passion tickets–$275.00. Two bedroom options for 4 people, 2 nights, 4 Taste the Passion tickets–$475.00. Want to stay a third night? Do so for free! Subject to availability. (800) 901-8922

Stay at the Bayshore Resort for your Taste the Passion weekend. Rates start at $125 + taxes for Friday or Saturday night, with discounts available for additional nights. Includes 2 tickets to Taste the Passion and a deluxe continental breakfast.

The newly renovated Econo Lodge of Traverse City offers Taste the Passion participants a rate of $159.90 + tax for a two night stay, plus two Taste the Passion tickets and a special gift at check in. Guests have their choice of rooms with one king bed or two queen beds. Rooms with spa tubs are available on a first come first served basis. To receive this rate, reservations must be made directly by calling 231-943-3040. They are located on the southwest side of Traverse City at Chums Corners.

Enjoy your Taste The Passion weekend at Best Western Four Seasons! Stay Friday & Saturday night in a deluxe queen or king room with in-room jacuzzi (choice of 3 styles), 24 hour access to their 11 ft deep indoor pool and a hot breakfast for just $180 plus tax. Call 800-499-3060 or 231-778-7000. Mention rate code: TTP for discount.

The Cherry Tree Inn & Suites has created a wonderful package to enjoy always exquisite Taste the Passion weekend. The package includes two nights in one of our Good Harbor Bay Studios (king pillow-top bed, two-person spa, fireplace, and balcony overlooking the bay), two tickets to Taste the Passion, and one box of locally made chocolate truffles. This is available for $278.50 plus tax. You can also get this package with any of their other 17 room types. Extra tickets can be added for $30 per ticket. Reserve on on their or call and ask for the Taste the Passion Package.

Enjoy your ‘Taste the Passion’ weekend at the Park Place Hotel in downtown Traverse City. Package includes lodging Friday & Saturday nights — a $25 gift card for Minervas Restaurant or the Beacon Lounge – and two tickets to the ‘Taste the Passion’ wine trail event Saturday & Sunday. Rates begin at $264.90 + tax per couple.  Call 231-946-5000 for your reservation, mention Taste the Passion!

Photo credit: Taste the Passion by lpwines.com