While renown wine writer George M. Taber’s new book In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism doesn’t touch on the Leelanau Peninsula (or any US location other than Napa) this review of the book explains why wine touring is such a special experience.

Taber’s purpose in writing this book may be best described by Francis Ford Coppola, the film director and owner of Napa Valley winery Rubicon Estate.

“It’s like meeting a politician and shaking his hand,” Coppola says. “You always feel later that you have a personal relationship with him. If you’ve been to a winery and walked through the vineyard, you feel it’s yours and you order its wines.”

Read some of Taber’s writings at travel4wine.com (click through and let him know that Leelanau is a wine touring destination as well!) and at his web site and definitely consider an off-season visit to our wineries and tasting rooms. There’s great lodging deals at area B&Bs and lodging establishments and Leelanau shops and specialty food & wine stores offer great holiday shopping!