A Leelanau Peninsula wine, Forty-Five North’s 2008 Pinot Noir Rose by Shawn Walters, was awarded the Best Pacific Rim Rose Wine at the 2009 Pacific Rim Wine Competition last week.

There were about 2000 wines (54 Rose and Blush wines) entered by close to 400 wineries and the Rose came in second overall to the Grand Champion (Barbera by Jeff Runquist). The judges were reportedly so upset at the lack of a Best Rose Award that the competition created one!

This is just one more story of how wines from the Leelanau Peninsula are standing tall when compared to the best wines in the world.

Since the picture is tall, I’ll say that you can tast wines from Shawn and Leelanau’s other excellent winemakers at the Spring Sip & Savor wine tour this weekend. You also have a chance to win prizes including a fabulous vacation package in the PJ Contest!