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Northport Wine and Food Festival, Aug 12 2006

Wine, Food & Blues Highlight Northport Festival

Medal-winning wineries, top regional cuisine and hot blues bands headline the annual Northport Wine and Food Festival on Saturday, August 12, 2006. Themed Red, White & the Blues, the annual festival runs from noon to 6 in Northportís expanded Haserot Park on Grand Traverse Bay.

Wines will be poured by 14 vintners from the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, which produce wines that some critics consider among the best cool-climate wines in the world. ìMichigan wines are getting some well-deserved attention from even international experts, and thatís especially the case with wineries in this area,î said Sue Crossman, executive director of the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the eventís sponsor. ìThe festival is a great opportunity to taste some of the best.î

Two of the wineries took best of show honors at last yearís state fair competition. Five of the wineries earned gold medals, five others took silver and one took bronze. Wineries pouring at the festival include:

* Bel Lago
* Black Star Farms
* Bowers Harbor
* Chateau Chantal
* Chateau de Leelanau
* Chateau Fontaine
* Chateau Grand Traverse
* Cherry Republic
* Ciccone Vineyard & Winery
* Gillís Pier Winery
* Leelanau Wine Cellars
* Raftshol Vineyards
* Shady Lane Cellars
* Willow Vineyard

The wines will be complemented by creative regional cuisine from eight caterers, restaurants, markets and specialty food producers. Award-winning Leelanau Cheese, a silver medalist at the World Cheese Championships, headlines the food category. They are joined by Stone House Bread, Plevaís Meats, Eagle Ridge Catering, Epicure Catering, Silvertree Deli & Gourmet Market, TLC Tomatoes and the Village Inn restaurant.

Two bands with local roots and strong ties to the blues capitol of Memphis will keep the rhythm moving all afternoon. Mark Arshak, who has opened for blues legends Bo Diddly and Buddy Guy, honed his guitar skills while paying his dues as a riverboat deckhand on the Mississippi. Mojo & the Boogieman, selected as the peopleís choice at the International Blues Challenge, spans the entire genre from the slow blues to up-tempo swing tunes.

Other vendors include the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber Wine Boutique, which features wine-related posters, tee shirts and jewelry. Artist Nedra Strasser will offer hand-painted wine glasses. Soft drinks will be available from the Northport Public Schools boosters.

Admission to the festival is $10, and includes a commemorative wine glass and two free drink tickets. For more information, call the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber at 231-271- 9895 or toll-free at 800-980-9895.

Visit the Northport Wine and Food Festival web site

Posted/updated Jun 19, 2005
by William Stevens (Absolute Michigan Lifestyles Editor)