Detroit News wine writer Sandra Silfven reports that Leelanau winemaker Larry Mawby has taken on a partner.

With sales of his less expensive M. Lawrence line through the roof and capacity maxed out, Larry Mawby, who only makes sparkling wine, announced this week he sold half interest in his vineyard and winery to Stuart L. Laing of Suttons Bay and purchased a building in Suttons Bay to relocate production of his best barrel-fermented bubblies.

That move will free up the original winery facility for only producing the M. Lawrence tank-fermented wines and let him double production to 10,000 cases or more.

“I’m only going to have to work 30 percent of the time now,” Mawby, 58, joked on Wednesday. “That’s because Stu works harder.” Laing will run the M. Lawrence brand, and Mawby will be the teacher and control the premium L. Mawby wines. The tasting room will remain at the winery on Elm Valley Road.

Read the rest and learn more about L. Mawby at their web site.

Photo: L. Mawby Sign by Pentax K1000 Gal