Savor the Taste of Leelanau Peninsula, One Glass at a Time.
Our Story
At Laurentide Winery, we like to think that our journey began on a glorious spring day at the Arboretum in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was there that two engineering students, a girl from New Jersey and a boy from Kalamazoo, met, fell in love, and have been together ever since. Our first experience with wine was shared on dates where time seemed long and money was short. The fare was simple, and the wine was modest as well. Strangely shaped bottles from Portugal or blue ones from Germany shared the table with food, marking the beginning of our unending fascination with wine and food pairing.
As our careers took off, we found ourselves moving across the country, traversing the great expanse of America. Our first life in California was a time of innumerable trips to Napa and Sonoma. We met huge names, but little known then, and fanned the romantic dance between food and wine, making it our unifying principle. We traveled to France, lingering in Burgundy and Bordeaux, where a deep-seated respect and love grew for the earth, soil, and terroir concept, and what wine can and should be.
Throughout our journey, like homing pigeons, we returned to Michigan to visit family and take a break from our hectic lives, with side trips to "up north". Bill wanted to show Calla, our daughter, and me the irresistible Great Lake, bay, and light that makes Leelanau so special. The seed was planted, and the soil was fertile! Our tastes had already gone through the evolution process that naturally unfolds, from sweet whites to huge, "take my body" reds, to sophisticated whites, and much drier wines in general.
I had started pursuing a certificate in wine production from UC Davis and completed my work after several years, complementing my education in Chemical engineering and process control. Meanwhile, Bill worked hard at refining his taste buds and forged many personal winery relationships.
We experimented as garage wine makers with the vines in our backyard, realizing in early 2000 that we wanted to change our hobby to a business and explored California real estate for that potential. Fast forward to one trip up north, when on one rainy summer day, we decided to go wine tasting in Leelanau. The rest is history. After the epiphany that good wine can be made outside of the northern Californian zip codes, our minds were buzzing with possibilities.
Our unique geography, formed by the Laurentide glaciers, along with trellis design, planting density, clonal types, varietal choices, altitude, aspect, and microclimate on French Road, constitute a prime location to grow vines. All of these factors allow our grapes to mature into the best expression of Leelanau soil transformed into wine. Wine is history unfolding into your glass, and we are happy to be a small part of this grand pageant.
Our Services
At Laurentide Winery, we offer a range of services designed to enhance your wine-drinking experience. Our tasting room is welcoming and knowledgeable staffed, with expertly trained professionals who can guide you through our selection of exquisite wines. We offer wine, food, and chocolate pairings, as well as wine-making workshops and private tours. Our wine club offers special benefits and discounts, and we also offer wine-to-ship options.
Private Vineyard Tours
Take a stroll through our scenic vineyard, and experience the beauty of Leelanau County. Our private vineyard tours are designed to provide a unique and memorable experience. Our knowledgeable staff will take you through our vineyard, sharing the story behind our wines and the care that goes into producing them.
Wine Club
Join our wine club and receive special benefits and discounts. As a member of our wine club, you'll receive exclusive offers, behind-the-scenes access to our winemaking process, and priority access to special events.
Tasting Room
Our tasting room is a beautiful space designed to enhance your wine-drinking experience. Our knowledgeable staff is expertly trained and ready to guide you through our selection of exquisite wines. From wine and chocolate pairings to wine and food pairings, we have a range of options to suit your tastes.
Vineyard
Our vineyard is situated on French Road in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. The unique geography of our vineyard, formed by the Laurentide glaciers, along with trellis design, planting density, clonal types, varietal choices, altitude, aspect, and microclimate, constitute a prime location to grow vines. All of these factors allow our grapes to mature into the best expression of Leelanau soil transformed into wine.
Overall Experience
The reviewers had an overwhelmingly positive experience at Laurentide Winery, praising the excellent service, delicious wines, and wonderful atmosphere.
Wine Quality
Reviewers raved about the quality of the wines, with many mentioning that they enjoyed every wine they tried. The Sauvignon Blanc was specifically mentioned as a standout wine.
Service and Hospitality
The staff at Laurentide Winery, including Michelle, Will, Susan, and Andrew, were consistently praised for their excellent service, friendliness, and knowledge of the wines.
Food and Pairings
The small plates and wine pairing experience was highly praised, with reviewers enjoying the gourmet, locally sourced food and thoughtful pairings.
Atmosphere and Amenities
The tasting room and patio were described as relaxing and welcoming, with one reviewer mentioning that the patio is pet-friendly.
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