Wheresoever you go,
go with all your heart. - Confucius
by Church of One

Next Tuesday, February 14th is Valentine's Day - a day for lovers, sweethearts, paramours ... and chocoholics. Like it, love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is an annual tradition that will see over one billion valentines will be given out worldwide, 85% of those by women. However you choose to celebrate the holiday, consider making it a little more special with something from Michigan.

There's plenty of delicious Valentine's Day recipes from Pure Michigan at Michigan.org. The Food Network also offers up some culinary advice for Valentine's Day complete with a full Valentine's menu. Lansing's WLNS CBS channel 6 website has a complete Valentine Day section on their website where you can learn all kinds of useful information including (who knew?) that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. The folks at the Grand Rapids Press and mlive.com have some tips for Valentine's Day cooking with kids.

We have to remind you that February is National Cherry Month and cherries make a great and healthy way to bring the distinctive Valentine red into your celebrations. An affordable and tasty non-alcoholic beverage are cherry sparklers made with Michigan cherry juice and sparkling water.

On the adult beverage front, a whopping 95% of wine drinkers agree that wine makes a perfect gift, and you can't go wrong with a  Michigan wine or  Michigan beer! The folks at MyNorth offer a listing of Northern Michigan sparkling wines to set the tone for your celebration. While bubbles are big, beers can also be appreciated. Dianna at Promote Michigan has let us in on her Love Affair with Michigan Beer, which features all kinds of special and regular brews from Michigan's brewmasters. You can stay awake Ann Arbor Brewing's Espresso Love featuring coffee, cozy up to the Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale from Atwater Brewing or go a little lighter with Dragonmead's Redwing Raspberry Wheat. This is a great feature so definitely check it out!

Ginny, You Are My Shining Star by docksidepress

If you're left scratching your head over what to buy him or her, check out the 'Valentine's Day Gift Giving Guide' from WLNS.com.  Don't forget the furry friends in your life either! You can be a homeless pets Valentine when WXYZ-TV 7 in Detroit hosts their Annual Valentine's Day Telethon to support the Michigan Humane Society. Tune in or donate online with the Michigan Humane Society!

If that's not enough and you really want to get your Valentine on, check out Absolute Michigan keyword Valentine for food & gift ideas.

For a little eye candy, you should check out the Valentine slideshow from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool!

We also have a large number of Michigan web sites to check out (though if we're missing one, be sure to add a link to it).

Flowers & Florists - say it with flowers

Chocolate - there's also candy companies

Candles - lighting the way for romance for thousands of years

Jewelry -silver & gold, platinum and bronze, pick your favorite.

Wow, you actually made it to the end of this post - don't forget to buy yourself a little something for Valentines Day!

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Sooo... the person we selected to win 2 tickets to the Traverse City Winter Microbrew and Music Festivalhasn't contacted us. The festival is this Saturday, February 11th - just days away. That means we have to give these away and give them away quickly to someone who wants to make the trip to Traverse City!If this is you and if you are 21 years of age, all you have to do is either:

1. Go to the Absolute Michigan facebook and find the comment that says If you want to go to the Traverse City Winter Microbrew and Music Festival Read This! and post a comment saying you want to go - feel free to add your favorite Michigan beer or something you're looking forward to.

2. Post a comment below! Include the part where you say nice things about a craft brew, musician or polkas!

3. If you're shy or not a Facebooker, no problem - just reply to this email - and please feel free to share your thoughts about what excites you about the festival or Absolute Michigan!

We will put them all into a list, head over to random.org at 6 PM tomorrow and find out who wins. Share it with friends who might be interested too - maybe they'll take you along if they win!!

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Today's offering in The Daily Michigan is a pair of tickets to the 3rd Annual Winter Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival (must be 21 to win). The festival has so much to offer that probably the best thing we can do is give you the poster above to click on!

Click here to sign up

Shadows on Ice by farlane

This annual festival is produced by Porterhouse Productions and features over 40 breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies - most from Michigan - along with local food vendors and beer and cuisine pairings. A highlight of the festival is a wide range of entertainment featuring Funktion, Heatbox, The Crane Wives, Whitney Morgan and the 78s, Dragon Wagon and Rootstand.  There's also fire dancers, live polka music and a silent disco.

It all benefits Bay Area Recycling for Charities, a non-profit company providing comprehensive recycling services to residents and businesses in the Grand Traverse Bay area. BARC allows customers to get top-quality recycling services and give back to the local community through the charity of their choice.

Click the button for their Facebook and some photos and info, order tickets and get more details from Porterhouse Productions. There's some great music for us to choose from. While we're tempted to link over to our friends in Dragon Wagon or Minnesota-based Heatbox, we have to present The Crane Wives performing one of their hits!

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Iron Works #2 - Cranbrook by MikeRyu

Our Michigan February Event Calendar shows that the more the weather tries to keep us holed up, the more ways we find to get out and have fun!! Of course, there's still many, many more and we invite you to fill us in on other February events in the comments.

February Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• Having only 28 days in common years, it is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon. 2012 is a Leap Year!
• It has 29 days in leap years, when the year number is divisible by four (except for years that are divisible by 100 and not by 400 in the Gregorian calendar)
• It is the only month of the calendar that once every six years and twice every 11 years, will have only four full 7-day weeks.
• Its birth flower is the Viola (plant) and the Primrose.
• Its birthstone is the amethyst.

February Quotes

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow." - R. H. Newell

"February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March." - Dr. J. R. Stockton

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." - John Boswell

"February makes a bridge and March breaks it." - George Hebert

Notable February Dates from Michigan History Magazine

• February 13, 1855 The Michigan legislature protects escaped slaves.
• February 24, 1863 Michigan supports the Emancipation Proclamation.
• February 17, 1864 The First Michigan Colored Infantry is mustered into federal service.
• February 21, 1905 The National Ski Association is organized in Ishpeming.
• February 20, 1909 The Hudson Motor Car Company is organized.
• February 2, 1936 Ty Cobb becomes one of the first players selected to enter the newly formed Baseball Hall of Fame.
• February 8, 1985 The Stroh Brewery announces it is closing its Detroit plant.

Michigan Events for February

Also see the Pure Michigan Blog and the UP Travel Calendar for more events!

Ice Climbing - Tannery Falls
by James Marvin Phelps

February 2 - 5
Michigan Ice Fest, Munising
Ice Fest is an annual tradition that features climbing for sure, but it gives attendees a chance to learn and develop skills, hear from some of the masters if the art and to connect with friends and fellow climbers from around the Midwest! Games, winter gear demos, bonfire, sledding hill, raffles, drinks and food are all part of this event. (check out some of the incredible climbs!)

February 2-5
North American Snow Festival, Cadillac
Featuring snowmobiling, downhill skiing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snow softball, polar dip, ice fishing, antique sleds, fun run, food, beverages and much more, the annual Snow Festival is a four-day celebration of winter in northern Michigan.

February 4 - 5
Taste the Passion, Leelanau Peninsula
Get a head start on Valentines Day and join the wineries of the Leelanau Wine Trail for an annual weekend celebrating wine, chocolate and love. The event features food & wine pairings at each winery along with special, winter-themed events.

The Swimmers of 2009 Perchville
by sunrisepenny

February 3 - 5
Perchville USA, East Tawas & Tawas City
The 62nd Annual Perchville USA features fishing contests, polar bear dip, a parade and more perch than you can shake a fishing pole at!

February 4
International 500 Snowmobile Race, Sault Ste. Marie
First run in 1969, the annual International 500 Snowmobile Race offers all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile ice oval, with drivers reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Includes all kinds of snowmobile exhibits and vendors and was proclaimed by Gov. Snyder as Michigan's premier winter sporting event!

February 9 - 12
Michigan Tech University Winter Carnival, Houghton
Events include the famous snow statues, sporting events including skating, curling, broomball, ice bowling, human sled dog racing, the queen contest, a torch light parade, fireworks, the Sno-Ball and much more.

February 10 -12
Midwest Telefest, Porcupine Mountain, Ontonagon
Telefest is the largest gathering of free heelers in the Midwest! Now in its 22nd season, Telefest has evolved into a tradition and is a hallmark celebration of the telemark turn. During Telefest there will be opportunities to try out the latest tele gear, take an instructional course or clinic, compete in races, cut turns in the backcountry, watch a movie, and dance with friends at the party!

Ski Jumping in Michigan by gkretovic

February 11 - 12
Pine Mountain Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament, Iron Mountain
For the 73rd year ski jumpers from around the globe will gather in Iron Mountain to try and claim king of the mountain at the 120 meter Pine Mountain Ski Jump. Known around the world as one of the more challenging ski jumping venues, Pine Mountain over time has attracted some of the world’s best. Countries expected to compete in the 2012 competition include Austria, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Slovenia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Finland, Germany, Turkey and of course the United States.

February 11 - 19
Detroit Boat Show - Detroit
The Detroit Boat Show has been staged every year for 51 years, and is known as the premier boating event in the State of Michigan. The Detroit Boat Show is known as one of the top boat shows in the country in regards to size, sales and attendance.

Dog sled races, UP200, 2007 by e.rabior

February 16 - 20
UP 200, Midnight Run Sled-Dog Championships and The Jack Pine 30 - Marquette
Three UP sled dog races provide a variety of challenges for mushers. The UP 200 is actually 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. Over 15,000 visitors come to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200! It is a favorite winter event for local residents and out of town guests. The U.P. 200 has a dedicated group of over 500 volunteers from the U.P. and the mid-west region that come together to stage this great event each year.

February 17 - 19
Cherry Capital Winter WOW Fest - Traverse City
Winter WOW Fest is a three-day wintertime celebration chock-full of fun for all ages in the Cherry Capital of the World, President's Day Weekend featuring food, wine, music, ice & snow sculptures, a snowboard rail jam and much more.

February 16 - 19
Frost Bite Winter Festival - Harrison
The 2012 theme is "Vegas!" featuring a Casino Party, Fake Vegas-style "Speed Weddings", night out with the Vegas Showgirls and golf and ice fishing tournaments. The golf tournament takes place on 5 groomed nine-hole courses, where novice and veteran golfers hit brightly colored tennis balls over the snow.

February 17 - 19
U.P. Pond Hockey Championship - St. Ignace
The Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship features over 150 teams competing for prizes is played on the wild ice of Moran Bay in St. Ignace, part of Lake Huron. The tournament is the only one in Michigan where the 'pond' is actually one of the Great Lakes! Includes and appearance of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni team for an exhibition game on Friday.

Winter Microbrew Fest by farlane

February 18
Traverse City Winter Microbrew & Music Festival, Traverse City
The 3rd annual TC Winter Microbrew fest brings over 40 breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies to the Grand Traverse Commons along with local food, beer pairings, heated tents, and a wide range of musical entertainment including fire dancers and silent disco to celebrate winter & brewing and benefit Bay Area Recycling for Charities.

February 18
Romancing the Riesling, Traverse City
Northern Michigan is known for producing top notch Riesling grapes, and this annual event celebrates by sharing some of the best Rieslings the Old Mission Peninsula has to offer. Participating wineries will showcase a Riesling, served in your very own souvenir wine glass and perfectly paired with a food offering. As an extra bonus, guests will enjoy at least 10% off all Riesling wine purchases at the participating wineries throughout the event.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls-Winter
by James Marvin Phelps

February 18
Tahquamenon Snowshoe Race, Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Starting at Upper Tahquamenon Falls, this annual event offers 5K, 10K, 20K and 800 meter Kids Snowshoe races. Many age groups with awards to the top three in each age group for each race.

February 20 - 25
Grand Rapids Beer Week, Grand Rapids
With seven established breweries within the city limits, Grand Rapids is quickly becoming a destination for craft beer culture. GR Beer Week is a celebration of that and will feature beer dinners, rare beer tastings, tap takeovers and other unique events.

February 24
The Great Wine & Food Symposium, Grand Rapids
Escape the snow with an evening of indulgence at The Great Wine & Food Symposium, west Michigan's premier wine tasting event. You'll enjoy gourmet food selections, and your single ticket price includes unlimited sampling of over 300 wines and beers from around the world as classical music drifts through the halls. Order your favorite wine and beer with up to a 40% discount.

February 25
The Outhouse 500 - Coopersville
Join in with the hilarious and wacky fun of the 6th Annual Outhouse 500 on Main Street in Historic Downtown Coopersville! Hosted by the Main Street Merchants Association. Teams parade, then race their uniquely decorated outhouses down Main Street!

February 25
Winter Beer Festival - Grand Rapids
NOTE - this event is (already) sold out!! The Annual Winter Beer Festival takes place at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids. The Winter Festival is a unique opportunity to sample some of the best beers in the world, all brewed in Michigan. The event includes more than 35 Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs with more than 200 different beers available to sample.

Trenary Outhouse Suessical by CreateWithKim

February 25
Trenary Outhouse Classic - The Outhouse Races - Trenary
The Outhouse Classic is an annual race in Trenary where outhouses are built and raced down the main street. There are categories: speed, presentation, best use of theme, most humorous, best workmanship, and most miles traveled. Families come to the event to watch and to compete, there are two different age brackets making competitions fair. A few years ago nuns came to compete and built the Vati-Can. Make sure to head on up to Trenary for the annual Outhouse Classic. Read Absolute Michigan's Sports that ARE Silly: Outhouse Racing or watch Outhouse Classic Outhouse Race in Trenary, Michigan.

February 29
Leap Year!, all over Michigan
February 29th only comes once every 4 years, so do something special to mark it!

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Michigan’s wine industry is booming, and the impressive skills of Michigan’s winemakers are proven repeatedly at national and international wine competitions. Wines throughout Michigan are earning medals and stomping the competition. Under icy, windy, cloudy, steamy hot, and, rarely perfect conditions, Michigan winemakers harvest and then craft delicious wines reflective of our unique region.

As we are celebrating Michigan's 175th birthday all week, the state of Michigan will celebrate nearly 90 wineries in 2012! One of the best ways to discover Michigan wines is to attend a wine tasting tour. Lucky for you, two regional events are just around the corner AND Absolute Michigan has a pair of tickets to give away for each!

February 4-5 / Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association’s Taste the Passion

2010 Taste the Passion by KatSwinehart

Warm up with a two-mile snowshoe or cross-country trek in Silver Leaf’s vineyard, orchard and woodsy trail. Afterward, dive into Silver Leaf’s featured chocolate almond and cherry clusters paired with gold medal Chafia Cherry. With 14 wineries participating, there is a lot of territory to explore. We suggest touring the northern peninsula wineries on one day and the southern peninsula wineries on another day. Get all the details on the Taste the Passion page at lpwines.com. A few more delicious wine and food pairings follow to whet your appetite:

• Chateau Fontaine of Lake Leelanau: Greek-inspired chocolate chili dogs, topped with cheddar cheese paired with Big Paw Red.
• Gills Pier, just north of Leland: Mini chocolate/honey mousse cups with sea salt and cocoa nibs paired with Whitewater, a semi-sweet white wine made with Vignoles grapes.
• Verterra Winery of Leland: The Bluebird’s Vol au Vent baked French brie with Verterra jam (preserves made from wine grapes), plus Granny Smith matchstick apples paired with Verterra’s Pinot Gris.

February 18 / Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula’s Romancing the Riesling

Enjoy a showcased Riesling and food pairing at each winery. Enjoy ten percent off all Riesling purchases during the event. Order tickets by calling (231) 223-7355. More details at wineriesofoldmission.com. A delicious sampling to tempt you from Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery is a peach tart in a mini phyllo shell topped with whipped cream paired with 2010 Riesling!

Two Great Michigan Wine Books!

Food and wine events are a wonderful way to explore Michigan’s food-friendly wines, but another great way is through yet another offering in our Birthday Bash - a pair of books about the history of the wine industry in Michigan by Lorri & Sharon. Both books are available through their Delicious Michigan website.

• The History of Michigan Wines documents Michigan's dynamic 150-year wine history! Meet passionate winemakers starting with Joseph M. Sterling who ignites the state's first viable wine industry in the 1800s along Lake Erie and follow the growth and challenges of the wine industry up to the present day!
• From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries is a 192 page, hard-cover book that celebrates Michigan wine country, wines and winemakers with intriguing behind-the-scene stories, beautiful photographs and interesting side features.

You still have time to wine through our Birthday Bash by joining our email list below (which also enters you for our regular giveaways of Michigan products, services and event tickets!

Absolute Michigan is committed to helping our readers get more out of Michigan. Sign up for regular giveaways. It's free, fun and all you have to do to be eligible is to be on our email list - sign up using the form below. We guarantee that we will not share your email address with anyone!

If your business is interested in participating, you can get all the information right here.

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In America, pleasure is a bad word. It means that someone, somewhere, is giving in to temptation. Whatever pleasure is being sought, it's probably indulgent. It's probably selfish. It probably doesn't do anybody any good. And yet, we are all born pleasure seekers. Our lives are shaped around pleasure. Day to day, the promise of pleasure is what drives us, from home to work and back again. And somehow, that promise, in today's culture, seems less and less attainable the more we work towards it.

They are farmers, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. They are beacons for our future: leaving the safety of what they've known for the sake of what they love, and showing the way for those of us brave enough to do the same.

In addition to being able to help in the production of a smart, relevant show, the innovative Mobcaster project for Back to Your Senses will reward supporters with everything from postcards and stickers to delicious gift baskets brimming with Michigan goodness and curated epicurean adventures. Click the Mobcaster link to learn more and check out the video below.

Back To Your Senses (Mobcaster Pitch) from andrea claire maio on Vimeo.

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Rockin' in the New Year by BigFreaky

Quotes

"New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past and to welcome the future." - New Year's Customs

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." - Bill Vaughan

"To leave the old with a burst of song,
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the thing that blinds you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past." - Robert B. Beattie

The Happenings

Also check out the New Year's Event Roundup from the Pure Michigan blog.

The HOT New Year's Eve - Grand Rapids
Join more than 35,000 people in downtown Grand Rapids to celebrate New Year's Eve in high style: big-name outdoor concerts, restaurant and bar parties, a midnight ball drop, and more. The Romantics, The Ready Set and The Downtown Fiction will headline this year's HotFM party, now moved slightly to Monroe Avenue between Louis and Pearl. Rosa Parks Circle will be open for ice skating.

New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo, MI
New Year's Fest is a performing arts celebration in downtown Kalamazoo. Hosted on December 31, 2011. New Year's Fest provides 26 different entertainers who perform inside 15 buildings surrounding Bronson Park.

Resolution Ball - Detroit, MI
Two of the biggest area promoters come together to put on the single largest New Years Eve celebration in the Detroit area. NYEDetroit.com in partnership with TheSocialConnection.com, presents the Resolution Ball at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. A black tie optional event featuring an open bar, food and great music all night. THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!

Downtown New Year's Eve Gala & Fireworks - Mt Clemens, MI
Metro Detroit's Best Family New Year's Eve Party featuring live entertainment and Midnight fireworks! The gala is the perfect way for families to ring in the New Year together. With most New Year’s Eve activities focused on partying, the Macomb County New Year’s Eve Gala is designed for families to spend the night celebrating together. Check out new kids activities running from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Award-winning Melrose Pyrotechnics will again be providing the professional pyrotechnics display.

Pistons vs. Pacers - Auburn Hills, MI
Watch the ball drop ... through the net!  Game starts at 6:00pm

Griffins vs. Milwaukee Admirals - Grand Rapids, MI
Team Poster Giveaway: The first 2,000 fans will receive a Griffins team poster. Festivities include West Michigan’s largest indoor fireworks display, a New Year’s Eve buffet from 4:30 p.m. through the first intermission and a chance to bring your skates to the rink and take to the ice after the game!

New Year's Eve at The B.O.B. - Grand Rapids, MI
Ring in the New Year in style at The B.O.B. with a bash that is highly anticipated every year. Live entertainment and a ton of options to choose from.

Craig's Cruisers New Years Eve Parties - Grand Rapids, MI
Two parties to choose from: 4-8pm and 9pm-1am Special countdown for both parties! Includes unlimited indoor go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, high ropes course and frog hopper! Plus free play on all non-redemption video games. Enjoy Craig's "Special New Year's Feast". Music and Karaoke from 6pm-1am. Party Favors for everyone! $24.99/person OR $125 for six tickets! plus food tax. Limited wristbands available. Sell out expected!

Ring In the New Year at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain
Ring in the New Year at Boyne with choice of several festivities. Join them for holiday excitement and celebration through Sunday, January 1. They offer lots for the whole family to enjoy this year, including teen parties on New Year's Eve, holiday buffets and the favorites such as torchlight parades followed by fireworks at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain! Plus, amazing snow conditions and other winter events to make the time together extra special.

CHERRYT BALL DROP (CHARITY BALL DROP) - Traverse City, MI
The 3rd annual Cherry Ball Drop takes place at the corner of Cass and Front streets in Downtown Traverse City (right in front of the Christmas tree). Downtown Traverse City will be packed with event goers for the 3 annual CherryT Ball Drop. Right before Midnight a large illuminated cherry will be lowered to signify the coming year! It all starts at 9pm with live entertainment, DJ, a visit from the Coast Guard and other surprises! (check out the video from last year by Ken Scott at the bottom of the post!)

Grand Traverse Resort New Year's Celebration - Traverse City, MI
Celebrate the New Year in style at an event filled with fun and dancing with music ranging from Motown, Pop, Blues, Funk, Swing, and Jazz by Ronnie Hernandez & the Ron Getz Sextet. Their New Year's Eve package includes accommodations, the New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball, a 3-Course Plated Dinner and Champagne Toast at Midnight.

New Year's Eve Dinner Train: Murder Mystery Charlotte & Blissfield, MI
Ring in the New Year on the Old Road! Come raise a glass with them and welcome in the New Year, 2012! This holiday special train boards 30 minutes later than usual (at 6:30pm.)

Great Turtle Drop on Mackinac Island
The owners of the Cottage Inn on Mackinac Island will ring in the New Year with a new tradition, the Great Turtle Drop. A giant fiberglass turtle will be lifted in the air Saturday, December 31, before midnight and descend to the ground to commemorate the New Year.

We're sure there's more - add them in the comments and have a very Happy New Year! Now here's that video by Ken Scott!

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The 2011 Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival takes place Thursday, November 17th through Saturday, November 19th at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. It draws over 10,000 over three days, making it the largest food and wine festival in Michigan and one of the premier events of its kind in the Midwest. Classes, tastings from restaurants & food vendors and pairings are all structured to take the expert or novice deeper into the world of wine, food and other culinary delights.

The festival presents over 1000 beers, wines, ciders and spirits for tasting, and many are crafted in Michigan. While the festival started with a focus on wine, beer gets its due as well, with the Michigan Brewers Guild-sponsored Craft Brew Hall offering a chance to sample dozens of these full flavored brews and to meet the brewmasters.

Show Manager  Cathleen McDonald  explains that this massive variety of food & drink has been a huge asset, saying "The show has grown because the public loves the opportunity to sample wines, beer & spirits without having to purchase the entire bottle.  They can find that great everyday wine that they can purchase at the grocery store or try the products that they would only have dreamed about."

One of the many innovative & engaging features at the festival are the champagne, wine & beer pairings developed by Grand Rapids restaurants - multi-course meals presented by the chef. A number of restaurants are also providing "small plate" samples of their prize cuisine. There's more than just wine to be sampled at the Festival! An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional. There's also seminars from presenters including winemaker John Concannon, wine educator and sommelier Michael Schafer, New Holland Brewing Company Beervangelist and Michigan Brewers Guild Past-President Fred Bueltman, author and Food Network  host Ellie Krieger and "The Fresh Chef" Amanda Leatherman.

Absolute Michigan is excited to offer FOUR free tickets to the Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival to one of our readers - just use the email blank at the top to get your name on our list and have a shot at winning. We'll notify the winner next Wednesday!

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Hard apple cider. Apple wine. Apple mead. Apple brandy. Apple vodka. Who knew apples could be so fun? Fifth-generation farmer Mike Beck of Uncle John’s Fruit House Winery makes good use of his apples.

Beyond your typical apple pie, apple cider and apple donuts, Mike also produces apple wine, apple brandy, hard apple cider, barrel bourbon cider and cyser. Mike’s barrel bourbon cider is a dry-style cider that ages in a bourbon barrel. His cyser is a blend of apple wine and Michigan honey. He’s also the first in the state to produce apple vodka, which is not just flavored vodka, but actually handcrafted from the apples.

“You’ll taste nice, subtle fruit notes,” says Mike in regard to his vodka.

Black Star Farms of Suttons Bay and Old Mission Peninsula makes apple brandy called, Spirit of the Apple. Handcrafted just as it was in the Colonial tradition of the Revolution, the brandy is a blend of the apple varieties Jonagold, Jonathon, Winesap, Rhode Island Greening, Spy and McIntosh. The delicious blend is distilled and then barrel-aged for three to five years, resulting in an artisan brandy that is fruit-forward to express the region’s apple bounty.

In Jackson, Sandhill Crane Vineyards crafts an Heirloom Apple wine and apple mead, both of which owner Heather Price recommends for mulling. Mulled wine is warmed and complemented with spices, such as cinnamon, light cloves and orange zest. It’s a great beverage for the holiday season.

Warm, chilled or room temperature, these apple products represent the essence of Michigan’s vibrant autumn flavors.

More about Michigan apples from Absolute Michigan!

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According to the Michigan Cider Guild...

Yates Cider Mill by luna.nik

In America cider is more than 300 year old. It was brought to America by its early settlers and grew from those days to the popular drink it is today. In some respects it has changed little aside from its early days as a sweet substitute for water, cleansing agent preservative (vinegar) and of course for its fermentation qualities. Also see Cider on Wikipedia.

Why should I drink Cider?

For starters, it's really really good. This article suggests that scientists Brewing Research International have confirmed high levels of health enhancing antioxidants in cider, on par with red wine. A half pint of cider delivers the same amount of antioxidants as a glass of red wine.

What's with the Chickens?

A "guild" in permaculture landscape design is a strategically selected assembly of plant or animal species that boost the productivity of a central plant or animal element. If the central element is a apple tree for example, guild "members" would be selected that can improve the trees yield or reduce the work needed to manage it. In this case, the chickens are members of that guild and are used to control insect pests and also to help process the apple waste.

How do I get my Cider?

If you're interested in getting in on the cider game on the ground floor, check out How to Build a Cider Press from the Mother Earth News - it's a great feature that takes you step-by-step through the process of building a cider press for less than $50. There's a really simple recipe for cider on the appropriately named howtomakecider.com.

If you'd rather let someone else do the hard work, check out "Cider" on on Absolute Michigan, the listing of cider mills from the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-tourism web site, and "cider" at Real Time Farms (mostly Michigan links and photos). You'll also enjoy the feature on cider mills on Pure Michigan. They note that there are 37,000 acres of apples on 950 farms. Over 20 million bushels of apples are harvested every year, and apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop with an economic impact of $700 million every year! Learn more at michiganapples.com and the Michigan Cider Guild.

What can you tell me about Hard Cider?

John Adams claimed that his health and longevity was attributed to drinking a tankard of hard cider each morning before breakfast. While we're not going to go that far, we will say that Michigan cideries are doing a fantastic job of  producing tasty hard ciders. The blog Serious Eats lists 3 Michigan cideries that you should know about. We'll add a few more, two organic Michigan cideries, JK's Scrumpy Organic Farmhouse Cider and Good Neighbor Organic Cider and one that's just a few feet away from the world headquarters of Absolute Michigan, Left Foot Charley.

Something to add? Post it in the comments!

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Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.

2nd Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival
by Kc Jacoby Photography LLC

The Motor City is gearing up showcase craft brews & brewing with Detroit Beer Week, an eleven-day celebration of craft beer in and around the City of Detroit. It kicks off Thursday, October 13 and features all kinds of events all around the region.

The finale of the week is the annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, October 22.

It's one of four annual events from the Michigan Brewers Guild. They partner with the Metroit Tines to bring together about 50 Michigan craft breweries who will be presenting over 200 different beers for your sampling pleasure. This year's entertainment line-up includes alternative rockers The Beggars of Ferndale and Detroit's own DMZ along with another Detroit act, alternative country band Doop & The Inside Outlaws and DJ Dante LaSalle. Learn more about the event at

The festival runs from 1-6 PM, with Guild Enthusiast Members being admitted at Noon Admission to the Festival is $35 in advance or $40 at the gate which includes 15 drink tokens. Enthusiast memberships and tickets to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival can be purchased online at www.michiganbrewersguild.org or at select ticket outlets.

This is one of the hottest tickets in town and sold out days in advance last year. You'll want to purchase early, and Absolute Michigan has a shot for you to win a pair of FREE tickets that include Enthusiast access. All you have to do to be eligible to win is to have your address on our email list - sign up below!

To be eligible for a pair of passes to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival and to be entered in every one of our giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Last year we sent photographer Ken Jacoby on the arduous mission of photographing the Detroit Fall Beer Festival - check out his slideshow and have a look at this great video from our friends at Under the Radar Michigan.

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star of the vineyard by aimeeern

Michigan wines and wineries have been in the spotlight throughout the summer; and it’s not just in Michigan, it’s happening across the country. The reason? Michigan wines have been winning a significant number of top awards at regional, national and international wine competitions.

In January, Chateau Grand Traverse won a Best of Class award at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their 2009 Lot 49 Riesling. This off-dry wine was produced from grapes harvested from a single vineyard -- located on a steep, west-facing slope on Old Mission Peninsula, in northern Michigan.

Judges evaluated more than 2,000 wines from around the world at the Pacific Rim Wine Competition, held in San Bernadino, Calif., in April, and declared a tie for Best Gewurztraminer: Tabor Hill Winery, in Buchanan, for their 2009 vintage, and Chateau Fontaine, on Leelanau Peninsula, for their 2010. Chateau Fontaine went on to win Grand Champion honors as Best White Wine of the competition.

Tabor Hill also garnered several top awards at other international competitions, including Best White Wine at the International Eastern Wine Competition, held in Corning, N.Y., for their 2010 Traminette, a hybrid variety similar to Gewurztraminer. Fenn Valley Vineyards, in Fennville, won Best of Class Riesling at the same competition, which accepted more than 1,400 entries in 2011.

Pinot Blanc is a relatively new varietal for Michigan vintners. Left Foot Charley, in Traverse City, is doing an outstanding job of producing wine from this sister grape of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. The winery received a “Sweepstakes” award of Best White Wine at the Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition for their 2010 Pinot Blanc, Island View Vineyard. The Long Beach judging is one of the top international wine competitions in the United States.

With more than 3,000 entries from 15 countries, the Indy International Wine Competition, held in Indianapolis in August, is the largest independent wine competition in the nation. The 2011 judging was a gold mine for three Michigan wineries -- from three different regions of the state. Best Vidal was awarded to Sandhill Crane Vineyards, in Jackson; Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs won Best Chancellor; and Leelanau Cellars on Leelanau Peninsula won Best Flavored Port for their Raspberry version of this dessert-style wine.

Michigan’s wine industry continues to enjoy steady growth, with sales of Michigan wine outpacing sales of all wines in Michigan for eight consecutive years. Five new wineries opened in 2011, bringing the total number to 86 wineries using predominantly Michigan-grown grapes and other fruit. To learn more about the wineries and vineyards of Michigan, visit www.michiganwines.com to request Michigan Wine Country magazine, with maps and information about the wineries of Michigan.

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Through the Vineyards III by lpwines

The season wineries eagerly await year-round is upon us, and the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association will usher it in in fabulous, footloose fashion with its annual Harvest Stompede. The event features fantastic food and wine pairings at participating LPVA wineries — with unique dishes at every stop — and kicks off with a 7-mile run and 5K run/walk through the grapevines Sept. 10.

The LPVA has kindly supplied MBTB with two tickets to give away to the fall festivities, set for September 10-11. Getting entered to win is easy; we'll tell you more about that in a moment!

If you're not too keen on running for your vino, no worries — participation in that segment of the celebration is strictly voluntary. The only requirement for the self-guided vineyard tour portion of the event is to have your thirst and appetite at the ready.

Here's how the 12-hour shindig works: Attendees purchase tickets to start their weekend at a specific LPVA winery, but can swing through the remainder of the stops in any order they please. Tickets allow the bearer to visit up to eight wineries on Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and eight wineries on Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Each starting point's allotment of tickets is limited to space out guests and ease crowds.

Using a plethora of locally sourced ingredients — from cherries and corn to bratwurst and whitefish — participating LPVA wineries will serve up fare orchestrated to pair well with their designated wine (or wines) of the day. (See below for a full list of the mouth-watering lineup.)

2008 Harvest Stompede157 by lpwines

LPVA spokesman Andy McFarlane said it's only natural to bring together food and drink produced in the immediate area.

"For the second year in a row, all of our tasting rooms are featuring local items in their food pairings," he said. "The wine, of course is local, and I think pairing it with food from our region makes it extra special. There's a ton of interest out there in supporting local food and local farms, and it's important to remember that local wine IS local food."

Tickets for the vineyard tour are $40 apiece. There also are $30 tickets available for designated drivers, who receive food at each site, but no glass for wine, though some locations will may provide non-alcoholic beverage substitutes.

The races and walk begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 10 at Ciccone Vineyard, located at 10343 E. Hilltop in Suttons Bay. Openings are capped at 850, and the event was at capacity last year; as of Aug. 29, the number of slots remaining was down to 80. Chip timing is available, and organizers joke that the reward for the winner is "bragging rights provided at the finish line."

McFarlane said he's not a runner himself, but adores observing the race along with other spectators.

"I know that I'm biased, but I think the Harvest Stompede race is one of the most unique running events in Michigan," said McFarlane. "The runners start to gather before sunrise and it's pretty cool to see them stretching and getting ready as the light breaks over the vineyards. At 9 a.m., the runners take off, and from the vantage at Ciccone, you can see them stream through Ciccone's vineyard and into Larry Mawby's on their way to Black Star Farms."

Entrants don't have to be seasoned runners to enjoy themselves, he noted.

"Everyone really seems to have a lot of fun with it," said McFarlane. "We have people who run barefoot and a lot of folks who walk it, too. It's really cool to me to see all the people in the vineyard with the grapes almost ready for the crush."

At the end, everyone crushes a "symbolic tub of grapes," he added.

Participation in running/walking events entails a separate fee. Advance registration through Sept. 8 is $26 for the 5K walk, $27 for the 5K run and $27 for the 7-mile run. Runners can register in person during packet pick-up on Sept. 9, but the price increases to $30 that day. No day-of registration is available.

For more information on the Harvest Stompede, visit http://lpwines.com/harvest.

Get tickets!

To be entered into the MBTB's Harvest Stompede drawing, find the contest post marked OFFICIAL on the Michigan By the Bottle Facebook page and respond to that post with any ONE of the following:

• An ode to your favorite Leelanau Peninsula winery (whether it be a little poem, a limerick, a song, etc.).
• Your favorite memory of visiting a Leelanau Peninsula winery.
• The name of a Leelanau Peninsula winery you would like to visit in the future, and why you want to go there.
• Please do NOT start a new thread with your entry into the contest; simply post your response as a reply to the OFFICIAL thread.

If you do not use Facebook, please feel free to email MBTBs with your name and answer at cort@michiganbythebottle.com.

While they encourage creativity, and can't wait to read your submissions, the winner will be drawn randomly via a random number generator. So even if you feel like your poetry-penning skills are lacking, you have just as good of a chance to win! The contest runs through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Just in case luck isn't on your side, you can also purchase tickets online at http://lpwines.com/harvest or join the Absolute Michigan email list for a giveaway on Thursday! (form at the bottom of the post!)

To register for the race or walk, visit https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/75458.

Planned pairings include...

• Hardy corn chowder made with local corn, paired with 2009 Pinot Grigio, at Ciccone.
• Toasted puff pastry wrapped with local cherries, local vegetables and feta cheese, paired with Cherry Twist wine at Cherry Republic.
• Barbudos en Salsa de Chile Dulce — a baked omelette made with local green beans, pulled chicken and roasted red pepper sauce — paired with 2010 Riesling at Gill's Pier (a vegetarian option also will be offered).
• Grilled pita, local cherry hummus and naked brats paired with wine — and beer — at Good Neighbor Organic.
• Macaroni and cheese with local squash and a sage cream sauce, paired with Green sparking wine, at L. Mawby.
• Local bratwurst and sauerkraut, paired with 2009 Riesling (and a hearty side of German music, to complete the Oktoberfest theme!), at Silver Leaf.
• Local fall harvest vegetable soup with Italian sausage, paired with Bel Lago Red, at Bel Lago.
• Grilled focaccia with pear poached in Isidor's Choice Pinot Grigio, Leelanau fromage blank and a caramelized wild leek, paired with 2010 Arcturos Riesling, at Black Star Farms.
• Smoked Carlson's whitefish on crostini with chevre, paired with Forty-Five White, at Forty-Five North.
• Philly cheesesteak sandwich made with local beef, peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese and bread, paired with the Solem Farm Red, at Chateau de Leelanau.
• Carlson's of Leland fish pate with grapes and crackers, paired with Fishtown White, at Good Harbor.
• Cincinnati-style chili with (optional) local onions, paired with Big Paw Red, at Chateau Fontaine.
• Savory buckwheat crepes with Leelanau raclette, Shetler Dairy milk, local eggs and honey-cured ham, paired with Ida Gold hard cider, at Tandem Ciders.
• Smoked whitefish chowder, featuring local whitefish and potatoes, paired with Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir, at Verterra.
• Local apple caramel crisp, paired with Pinot Gris, at Willow.

For another chance at 2 tickets, just join the Absolute Michigan email list using the form below! We give stuff away almost every week and will tell you a thing or two about Michigan as well!

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Sample Michigan-made wines, craft beers, homegrown delicacies and signature products from throughout the state while you enjoy live entertainment by northern Michigan's own Emmy award-winning Bihlman Brothers. The event takes place outdoors on Crystal's slopeside lawn adjacent to the Crystal Clipper chairlift, but if the weather is bad, it will be moved to an on-premise indoor location.

Check below to register for a pair of tickets to the Taste of Michigan and also to see the Bihlman Bros. performing their hit Jubilee.

To be eligible for a pair of passes to the Taste of Michigan and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

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Buckwheat Zydeco at the Beer Fest II by farlane,

The annual Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival features over 50 breweries, a cider, mead and wine court, a new silent disco tent and a musical lineup including chart-topping folk rocker Martin Sexton, Grammy-nominated New Orleans brass brand Rebirth Brass Brand and Afro-Cuban funk favorites Euforquestra. It takes place August 26 & 27 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and other musical guests include fiddle rockers Barrage, popular Michigan dance outfit Ella Riot (formerly My Dear Disco), musical “mad scientist” That 1 Guy, Celtic marchers Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, West African drummers and more!

This year, the festival will kick off on Friday, August 26 from 5-10 p.m. with a “Pint Night” themed evening featuring a headlining performance by Martin Sexton as well as $3 pint specials from a variety of renowned craft breweries, the silent disco tent, and food and merchandise vending areas.

The second day of the festival on Saturday, August 27, will feature an expanded festival experience from 4-10 p.m. with over 50 breweries and 200+ flavors of beer, cider, mead and wine, live music from Rebirth Brass Band, Barrage, Euforquestra, Ella Riot, That 1 Guy, Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums and several more acts, plus $1 tasting tokens for 7-oz sample pours (a commemorative festival cup and 5 tokens are included with admission), a variety of local food vendors and brew-friendly pub grub, an MSU Extensions Educational Tent featuring workshops on beer-related topics, the festival’s popular Hop ‘N Brew tasting shack, the silent disco tent and special partner activities and events.

All in all, this is a fantastic celebration of Michigan's microbrew culture that you will certainly enjoy and our Absolute Michigan passes will let you enjoy it to the fullest. Check Porterhouse Productions for ticket information and check below to enter the giveaway and for a video!

To be eligible for a pair of passes for Friday AND Saturday night to the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Here's the Rebirth Brass Band in New Orleans - see them in Michigan next Saturday! Also be sure to check out this cool video of the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars at last year's festival!

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The festival features award-winning wineries throughout the state of Michigan and across the globe showcasing more than 100 varieties of wine including Chardonnay, Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rieslings, Sparkling, dessert wines and many more. A neat feature is that the festival's on-site retail store has select wines available for purchase at the event, by the bottle or discounted by the case. In addition to wine sampling, there are also a number of food vendors along with seminars covering wine, food and other topics of interest. You will also enjoy continuous live music and special exhibits and displays throughout the weekend.

The Wine and Food Festival at Meadow Brook Music Festival is sponsored by Palace Sports & Entertainment, Kroger, The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and is a part of the Belle Tire Concert Series. Tickets for adults are $18 in advance and $20 at the door and include free wine samples, a complimentary wine glass, wine and food seminars, exhibits and live music. Designated Driver tickets may be purchased for $10 and admission is free for those under 21 years of age. Tickets are on sale now at Palacenet.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or on the day of the event.

Absolute Michigan has a pair of tickets for the Wine and Food Festival. To be entered for this and in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

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At Bel Lago... by Trish P.

25 wine experts gathered August 2 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing for the 34th annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition sponsored by the Michigan Wine & Grape Industry Council. Judges included wine experts from around the country, including Doug Frost, who is both a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier; two Master Sommeliers; and internationally known authors, winemakers and wine educators. Leading the group through the day was food and wine writer Christopher Cook, who judged at the competition for 12 years before becoming its superintendent in 2001. Cook is also a judge at wine competitions throughout the United States and abroad.

There was a great variety of wines entered by newer wineries throughout Michigan, with several garnering medals, including a Raspberry Wine produced by Garden Bay Winery in the Upper Peninsula that won Best of Class Fruit Wine.

The Michigan competition is a favorite for many of the judges, as they are eager to try new wines from the state’s rapidly growing industry.

“The Michigan wine industry continues to expand and offer quality wines with fun and excitement. It’s why Michigan wines and winery tasting rooms are growing in popularity, said Veteran judge Joe Borrello, president of Tasters Guild International, which sponsored the Best of Class Dessert trophy.

Fifty-three of the state’s 84 wineries entered 367 wines for this year’s competition, which is open only to wine and spirits produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit. Gold medals were awarded to a wide variety of wines - - from bone-dry reds to deliciously sweet ice wines - - from all of Michigan’s major grape-growing areas. At the end of the day, judges awarded the top “Best of Class” awards to eight wines from a group of 51 gold medal winners, including seven double gold.

James VanDerKolk, with Elite Brands, was “stunned by the depth of quality in the dry white wines from 2010, and very pleasantly surprised by the high-quality dry reds tasted from 2010.”

Judges experienced just a sampling of red wines from the 2010 vintage, which is expected to be exceptional, as Michigan enjoyed a long, warm growing season that allowed red grapes to ripen more fully than in recent years. Most of the reds from 2010 will be released over the next year.

“I was happy to see the overall Merlot quality,” said Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, a veteran judge of this competition. “The dry white sweeps (Best of Class round) were a privilege to judge, so many good wines! Every year, my pride and confidence in our wines grows.”

The top award-winners are:

• Best of Class Dry White: Chateau Fontaine – 2010 Dry White Riesling
• Best of Class Dry Red: Fenn Valley Vineyards – Capriccio
• Best of Class Sparkling Wine: L. Mawby – Cremant Classic
• Best of Class Semi-Dry White (tie): Fenn Valley Vineyards – 2010 Riesling; Tabor Hill – 2010 Gewurztraminer
• Best of Class Rosé: Forty-Five North – 2010 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
• Best of Class Dessert Wine: Black Star Farms – 2008 A Capella Ice Wine
• Best of Class Fruit Wine: Garden Bay Winery – Raspberry Wine

A complete list of medal-winning wines is available online at www.michiganwines.com.

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Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, 2010 by KatSwinehart

The 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival takes place Saturday, August 20th from 3-10 PM on the beautiful front lawn at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, rain or shine. It's Michigan’s premier celebration of wine, art, food and music, offering an incredible opportunity to taste wines from 24 wineries as you dance, dine, and see extraordinary performers, art and artists.

The wines & wineries are the heart of the festival and the large wine tent is dedicated to featuring well over 100 wines from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and - for the first time - Benzie County. Attendees can choose a tasting or full-glass pour and have a chance to talk with the winemakers and winery reps to learn more about the wines. The 2010 vintage is spectacular, and this is a fantastic opportunity to try the riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot blanc, cabernet franc and a host of other varieties that are making a lot of noise at wine competitions around the country!

The festival also features a great lineup with some of Michigan's finest musicians. Michigan jazz/folk great Claudia Schmidt kicks things off  and then joins Rachel Davis and Shout Sister Shout. It will be the first time Claudia and Shout Sister Shout have taken the stage together, an event that promises to be one of those "better not miss it" nights. Steppin' In It goes electric and will keep you dancing into the evening. There's also a wide range of performances including dancers, performance artists and the Sweet Adelines.

In addition to a wide selection of art for show & sale and gourmet food from many of the region's finest restaurants for purchase, there's even a chance for YOU to get into the act with "Fashion Is Art". This new feature that invites you to don your most innovative attire for a chance to win the Grand Prize, a spa weekend for two at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. Get tickets & lodging package information at traversecitywinefestival.com and check their Facebook for a ticket deal that ends TODAY.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Here's Shout Sister Shout for your listening pleasure!

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Strawberry season wrapped up in southern Michigan? Head north for more! Thanks to the varying differences in temperatures along Lake Michigan, growing seasons are frequently staggered from one part of the state to the next. And who doesn’t love strawberries? Favorite strawberry farms include Kiteley’s Farm in Charlevoix, Ware Farm in Bear Lake and in Amish country in southern Michigan.

So, what’s your favorite fruit and veggie growing right now? We’re digging cherries, blueberries, kale and cucumbers. Being enthusiastic fans of Michigan wine, we also have some favorite summertime sips:

Sharon’s sips: Black Star Farms Pinot Grigio, Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir, Domaine Berrien Marsanne and Sandhill Crane Vineyards Vignoles

Lorri’s sips: Michigan Dry Riesling and Leelanau Cellars Fishtown White, and when feeling bubbly, L. Mawby's Detroit or Sex.

On a recent visit to Northern Natural Winery in Benzonia, we discovered organic hard ciders and fruit wines made with fruit from more than a dozen regional farms. These fruitier wines are for the sweeter wine drinkers; though, the hard apple cider is surprisingly dry and quite refreshing! Located at the juncture of US-31 and M-115, this newer winery offers a comfy respite amid farmland and close to the lakeshore. Just up the road, pick saskatoons, gooseberries, and raspberries in season at Putney’s U-Pick Berries farm.

Speaking of Northern Michigan and deliciousness, be sure to check out Mario Batali's take on the Northern Michigan food scene!

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The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (OMP) and Porterhouse Productions present the second annual Paella In The Park, a summer music & culinary event in the heart of downtown Traverse City.

Traverse City’s bayside Clinch Park grounds will transform into a swingin’ festival! This year’s lineup features national headliner Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, an energetic and exciting band who have been getting audiences up and dancing for 20 years. Rolling Stone declared them the “leaders” of the swing revival are going back to their ska roots with a danceable and entertaining show. They're joined by Groupo Ayé, a 10-piece Cuban salsa band, and Hoots And Hellmouth, a mix of rockabilly and funk.

This 21+ event (no exceptions, please) will again pair the seven OMP wineries with local chefs. Guests will enjoy Spanish paellas from fresh ingredients cooked over an open fire, right on-site. Paella, a rice-based dish that boasts hundreds of variations using different ingredients, is one of Spain’s most popular food entrees. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to converse with local chefs about the art of making paella, as well as enjoy food and wine at each station.

Sign up for our email list below for a chance at 2 tickets and order your limited tickets at Porterhouse Productions.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to Paella in the Park and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Now here's the Cherry Poppin' Daddies playing one of their hits - Zoot Suit Riot. You can get many more in this YouTube playlist!

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More than 30 local restaurants and chefs will offer mouth-watering ethnic items, family favorites, exotic dishes, and local specialties. Enjoy almost 200 items ranging from savory offerings like crab rangoon, shrimp etouffee, sushi and sashimi, prime rib, sunset scampi, beef satay, coconut shrimp, chicken curry and jambalya to desserts including bananas foster, tiramisu, strawberry shortcake, baklava, cannoli, and turtle torte. Vegetarians aren't left wanting either and there are a wide variety of beer, wine and other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy.

There's also live music from bands including the Macpodz, Matt Giraud and Edgar Winter along with all kinds of family fun including ice sculpting, grill-offs and the Greatest Kazoo Duck Race!

Our giveaway includes 2 free entry passes and $10 in tasting tickets and all it takes to enter it (and all our other giveaways) is to be on our email list - use the box below!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great state called Michigan that we love!

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Expanse by g. s. george

You don't have to travel far when you live in Michigan to find a whole lot of fun. We encourage you to support the festivals, events, cities and businesses that are making all the cool things happen around the state. So get out this summer and have some fun and create some great memories in the process. Carpe diem!!

As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

July Quotes

"Many public-school children seem to know only two dates: 1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion. - Mark Twain

"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." - Mark Twain

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit." Henry David Thoreau

"You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first acorn squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year. I get more excited by that than anything else." - Mario Batali

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard

Fast Facts - via Wikipedia's July entry

• The second half of the year commences in July
• The birthstone for July is a red ruby
• July was renamed for Julius Caesar... Previously, it was called Quintilis...

Also be sure to check out Pure Michigan's July Event Round-up and our Absolute Michigan Event Calendar for more great Michigan events!

July 2 - 9
National Cherry Festival Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival features over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine!

July 8 - 9
Michigan Elvisfest Ypsilanti
The world-renowned Michigan Elvisfest began in 2000 in Ypsilanti, Michigan's Historic Depot Town. Beautiful Riverside Park is the place where Elvis fans flock by the thousands every July to pay homage to the King of Rock & Roll and to hear the most award-winning professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America, as well as other talented Legend Tribute Artists.

July 8 - 10
Blissfest Cross Village
The 30th Blissfest Music Festival will be a celebration of music, culture, art and community featuring a world of diverse and innovative folk and roots music and dance at the Festival Farm in picturesque rural northern Michigan. It is truly a blissful musical weekend to be shared with families, friends and music-lovers of all ages. The annual event is a showcase of the many musical styles that define American roots and world music. Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Jazz, Latin, Ethnic, World music and dance all share the stage.

July 9 - Aug 7
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Battle Creek
Neither heat, rain nor scary beast will shut their gates that hold jousting and performances and all manner of medieval fun. The Faire is also West Michigan's premier Artisan Marketplace with over 100 vendors selling their wares and crafts, you will find everything from turkey legs to wood-carving, leather to silks, and blacksmiths to fairy wings.

July 14 - Aug 7
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival Jackson
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has been presenting the timeless themes and glorious language of William Shakespeare since 1995, growing each year into a premier regional event that draws respected actors from across the nation, and satisfied audiences from throughout the Midwest.

July 14 - 17
Venetian Festival St. Joseph
The name implies gracious glides on a glowing river and the gentle sounds of water rippling as gondoliers pole their slender boats and sing soft love songs to couples snuggled in the bows. Such were the hot days and long nights in Venice, Italy, where Venetian Festivals started so many years ago. In St. Joseph, they still celebrate hot July days and long summer nights with boat rides and love songs and couples holding hands. The Venetian Festival on the St. Joseph River is all of that plus music, fine food and fun for all ages!

July 14 - 17
Concert of Colors Detroit
The Concert of Colors is metro Detroit's free annual diversity music festival. It is presented by ACCESS/Arab American National Museum, New Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) with the goal of bringing together metro Detroit's diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 17-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit's summer festival season.

July 15 - 16
Michigan Storytellers Festival Flint
It’s free fun for all INSIDE the Flint Public Library. Don’t miss our master storytellers who bring the oral tradition to life. As always there will be several workshops and storytelling concerts during the day on Saturday with storytellers in concert beginning at 7PM on Friday and Saturday.

July 16 - 17
Quake on the Lake Waterford
Over the past 10 years, the "Quake" has become on of Oakland County's must-attend events and is the North American Inboard Hydroplane Championship. The event is the proud holder of 17 American Power Boat Association (APBA) world speed records being set in 5 different racing classes making Pontiac Lake one of the fastest one-mile race courses in the country! There's also music from Rare Earth, the Verve Pipe and others.

July 16 - 17
Ragtime Street Fair Dearborn
Savor an American original -Ragtime music. You'll hear Scott Joplin rags like "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" along with  much, much more as scores of other musicians travel from all over the country to perform on nearly a dozen stages throughout Greenfield Village. It's syncopated, jazzy, hot and live. Fresh summer food, too, and dancing in the streets!

July 20 - 23
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Ann Arbor
Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs: The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original, The State Street Area Art Fair, The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair and the Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair. Together, the fairs attract over a half a million attendees from across the nation. The Original Fair was named the Number One Art Fair in the country by AmericanStyle magazine readers survey (October 2004) and has made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals list every year since.

July 22 - 23
Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Ypsilanti
The Summer Beer Festival is the Michigan Brewers Guild's oldest and largest of our four annual festivals. The festival takes place outside in a lovely riverside setting and will feature more than 300 different beers from more than 50 different Michigan breweries. A variety of tasty food items are available for purchase from independent food vendors inside the festival and there will be a diverse selection live music from a variety of local bands.

July 26 - 31
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

July 29 - 31
Yale Bologna Festival Yale
Every July Yale plays host to the Yale Bologna Festival, a 3 day weekend event that closes the streets and transforms this small community of just under 2,000 to a gathering of over 20,000 Bologna starved party-goers! A tradition in Yale since 1989, this festival has grown considerably since its humble beginnings. The festival draws people from all around Michigan as well as other states, eager to see who will be the next King and Queen of Bologna. The Bologna Festival includes such events as the famed outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks and a parade down Main Street that continues to grow each year.

July 29 - Aug 7
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven
The United States Coast Guard has a long and prestigious history in Grand Haven and around the world. Celebrate the Coasties with activities, events, and attractions for all ages. Many are free, and you will find plenty of fun and choices from Kid's Day to the Street Dance and Cruise-In Car Show, to carnival rides, picnics, parades, fireworks and ship tours.

July 30 - 31
Art On The Rocks Marquette
Located in a beautiful wooded area on the shore of Lake Superior in north Marquette, the annual Art On The Rocks at Presque Isle Park features a huge variety of artwork in all media for show & sale.

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In addition to being Drink Michigan's 1st birthday, the event is a benefit for Homefront Hugs, a Michigan-based organization dedicated to helping our troops, their families and our veterans. Enjoy Michigan wine, beer and spirits, food pairing stations, and live entertainment on the Detroit riverfront from 8 PM to midnight at the Rattlesnake Club. The event is $35 and includes 35 tasting tickets and all appetizers and entertainment. If you don't want to make the drive home after the event, the newly renovated Robert’s Riverwalk Hotel will be offering discounted room rates of $119. Call 313-259-9500 and ask for the Drink Michigan room block.

Absolute Michigan has a pair of tickets for our winner!

All summer long Absolute Michigan is partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

To be eligible for a pair of passes to the Sip of Michigan Birthday Bash and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

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This year's raffle prize is a chance to win a personal wine cellar stocked with a wonderful variety of fabulous wine from area wine shops with gift certificates for many more of your favorite vino!

Speaking of winning, Absolute Michigan has a chance for you to win a pair of passes to the Waterfront Wine Festival. To be eligible for a pair of passes and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

All summer long Absolute Michigan will be partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great State called Michigan that we love!

Here's a video from last year. Also, be sure to check out Scenic Michigan. They're an affiliate of the national non-profit organization Scenic America headquartered in Petoskey that promotes and sponsors programs to encourage natural beauty in the environment, enhance landscapes, protect historical and cultural resources, and improve community appearance.

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The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival takes place on Saturday, June 18th from 1-10 PM at Weko Beach on Lake Michigan in Bridgman.

It's a showcase event that allows you to sample locally grown and produced varietals and wines by the taste or the glass from the wineries of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail: Tabor Hill, Contessa, Domaine Berrien, Fenn Valley, Karma Vista, Lawton Ridge, Lemon Creek, Round Barn, St. Julian, Free Run, Hickory Creek, Warner and Founder's. Wrap this into a day filled with sun & sand, extraordinary cuisine from local restaurants, jazz, blues, R&B, and a dazzling sunset and you have one fantastic summer festival – ideal not only for wine aficionados but for the entire family! (there's even beach access for kids to play on beach all day!)

Click through for details & ticket information and be sure you're entered below for a pair of free passes to the festival!

All summer long Absolute Michigan is partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

Corrine G. from La Porte, Indiana took home the pair of passes to the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival. She says she's been to Bridgman and Weko Beach many times. Her favorite wineries are St. Julian and Tabor Hill, and while her favorite Michigan wine changes according to the occasion and accompanying food, St. Julian Braganini Reserve Pinot Noir is her current favorite.

To be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great State called Michigan that we love!

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Short's Brewery in Elk Rapids

Join us on Sunday June 26th from 12 - 5pm for  the first ever tour of its kind in Northern Michigan - one designed specifically for the craft beer lover. With a heavy focus on tasting, the Great Northern Beer Tour will sample beer in the breweries, taprooms and even a hops field of some of the country's most accomplished and dedicated brewers. Set amongst the stunning backdrop of Northern Michigan and the Old Mission Peninsula, the Great Northern Beer Tour aims to inspire Michigan's craft beer lovers. With tastings conducted by the experts from four distinct and well-loved breweries, we will learn more than just the basics of making and enjoying craft beer.

We will start the tour by visiting the Short's Brewing facility in Elk Rapids for a tasting and lesson in brewing from one of Northern Michigan's most innovative brewers. Then we will head over to the Old Mission Peninsula where we will walk in a hops field and learn about the beautiful little clusters that have been flavoring beers for well over a millennia.

Happy Hour at Right Brain

Next, we will head to the Jolly Pumpkin restaurant to taste both Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak seasonal and annuals in a historic setting in the stunning Bowers Harbor on the West Bay. And we will top things off by visiting the eclectic Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City's Warehouse District. For a day filled with lagers, stouts, pilsners, IPA's, porters and a cask ale or two, call By The Bay Tours at 231.932.1065 to purchase tickets.

The cost is $65 per person which includes tastings at every stop, transportation including Traverse City hotel pick-up/drop-off, all tours and tasting information with goodies along the way. Additional tastings along with beer to go and merchandise will be available to purchase along the way.

For any questions, please email Bob at rlovik@hotmail.com. Cheers!

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Leland Wine Festival by farlane

The Leland Wine & Food Festival is Michigan's oldest wine festival held on the second Saturday in June (June 11, 2011) from noon-6 PM. 2011 is the 26th annual of this fundraiser for the Leland Chamber of Commerce and there's few things better than a day in the Leland Harbor and historic Fishtown tasting wines from local wineries and enjoying delicious food prepared by local restaurants.

There's also live music all day and (of course) the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. Absolute Michigan is happy to be offering a pair of passes to the festival - read on for details and also for a listing of wineries & restaurants and a video!

All summer long Absolute Michigan will be partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

The winner of a pair of passes to the Leland Wine Festival is Ed Roth of Kalamazoo. We asked him about his favorite Michigan festivals and he said that while there are so many great ones to choose from, Kalamazoo's Island and Blues festivals, Ann Arbor's Art Fair, and Detroit's Jazz Festival stand out for him! To be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great state called Michigan that we love!

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Summer is kicked off spectacularly on June 11 and June 18 with two rockin' wine and food festivals perfectly located along the lakeshore in northwest and southwest Michigan.

Just in! Absolute Michigan is giving away a pair of tickets to each of these festivals through our Festival Summer promotion! Click that link for the details!

A whole lot going on by farlane

Attend the 26th annual Leland Wine and Food Festival on June 11 at the Leland Harbor and historic Fishtown and in view of the idyllic Manitou Islands. Live music provides the ambience for tasting artfully crafted wines and enjoying delicious cuisine from a variety of local restaurants from noon until 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, which includes a wine glass and two tastings of regional wines from Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. Shop Leland's boutiques for unique gifts and souvenirs before or after the event. Get more details at www.lpwines.com.

Cruise down the coast one week later for the 6th annual Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival in charming Bridgman in southwest Michigan. Weko Beach is the destination on June 18 for a day of savoring tasty cuisine prepared by area restaurants and more artfully crafted wines from the southwest region's wineries. This family friendly festival runs from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. and combines wine tastings for the adults with breezy beach fun, live music and a breathtaking sunset. Enjoy blues, pop rock and R&B from musical talents Duke Tumatoe, P.S. Dump Your Boyfriend, Midwest Hype and Cadillac Dave & His Chicago Red Hots. Admission is $10 for ages 21 and older. Advance tickets are $8 at www.ticketweb.com. Admission fee includes a wine glass. Tasting tickets are $1 each. Get more details at www.miwinetrail.com.

Here's a great video from the Leland Wine Festival from TVCadillac by Vic McCarty!

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You can download the guide as a PDF or pick it up at farms, markets and other places that feature local food across Northwest Michigan. A highlight is their Spend 10 Local Dollars Campaign, which encourages people to make a pledge to spend $10 weekly on local food products. Taste the Local Difference project director Janice Benson says:

"The guide helps people find local food, and combining that with a commitment by families to spend at least $10 each week on local food will significantly boost our local economy. We have a lot of great produce throughout the summertime, but we also have meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beverages, and much more that is available to us all year long."

DoF Asparagus by RichardDemingPhotography

You can get all the details and  make the pledge, search farm markets & businesses for all kinds of products, view tasty recipes and more at localdifference.org. Try some of these ways to make a difference in your community with $10 or more a week!

• Buying local meat, fish, eggs, and produce from your local grocer, restaurant, or farmer.
• Ordering a glass of local wine, cider, or other beverage that includes locally grown items at dinner.
• Ordering a menu item that includes locally grown items at a restaurant.
• Becoming a member of a CSA farm.
• Ordering food for office lunches and parties that includes locally grown items.
• Purchasing locally grown food products for holiday gifts and entertaining. (Jams, honeys, cheeses, dried cherry mix, salsas, etc.)
• Buying local cream for your daily coffees and local teas that include locally grown herbs and fruit.

We'll add one more - check out Absolute Michigan's Michigan Grown section and search for all kinds of great Michigan products that can help you help your neighbors!

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Driving Michigan is Absolute Michigan's new show that explores the state of Michigan and the people who are moving us towards the future. It's hosted by Seth Bernard, a musician of  Earthworks Music with a passion for Michigan. The video was shot by Ken Lake of Mythic Michigan.

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