Michael Brenton, wine writer for the Lansing City Pulse takes a look back on the Leland Wine and Food Festival in his article New release revel – Festival showcases latest wines from Leelenau, Old Mission. This was the festival’s 24th year and is the “Grandfather” of Michigan wine festivals.

On June 13, the northern Michigan community of Leland welcomed thousands of guests for the 24th edition of the Leland Wine and Food Festival.

The festival always provides a one-stop opportunity for wineries on Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas to showcase new releases, while many of the area’s finest restaurants present specialties (blackened whitefish from the Bluebird kept this writer coming back) amid rockin’ rhythm & blues by the Fabulous Horndogs. This year’s festival also served as a proper christening for the extensively renovated Leland Harbor complex (but fear not, historic Fishtown remains untouched).

An abundance of 2008 whites were featured, along with many 2007 reds and a few 2008 reds. These vintages are yin and yang. The 2007 vintage was unusually warm, producing extremely ripe fruit, often with higher alcohol and uncommon depth and richness. Reds, in particular, benefited from the warmth of the season, whereas the cooler 2008 season led to greater variation in quality among its red wines. The 2008 vintage proved ideal for Michigan’s cool-weather white varieties, such as Pinot Gris (AKA Pinot Grigio), Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, which frequently showed classic balance of fruit and acidity.

Photo credit: Pouring Wine at the Leland Wine Festival by farlane