Grow Benzie is a community farmstead dedicated to enriching the lives of Benzie County residents by fostering self reliance through education in agriculture, nutrition, job training and life skills.  Their site is a demonstration and training center for sustainable gardening and is a symbol of hope from both our past and our future.  Their focus is on Growing Healthy Children and Communities, bringing people back to their “roots” of self sufficiency and taking care of each other. 

What an honor to support this organization and share our wines with the community involved in this project!

 For more information please contact the Grow Benzie office at growbenzie@gmail.com.

In honor of the annual Cherry Festival we are offering a great discount on our Cherry Wine. Already on sale for $8.50 we are offering an additional 20% savings on this delightful wine making it a mere $6.80 a bottle.

Use this coupon to receive your discount. Don't delay as the coupon expires July 31st!

Riesling Rendezvous is an event that brings together leading experts and producers to explore the versatility of Rieslings from around the world.  Northern Michigan winemakers will have unprecedented opportunities to showcase their wines among the world’s great producers, influential media, trade professionals and interested consumers.

Equipped with award winning Rieslings and a new logo representing the hand as the “State of the Riesling” Northern Michigan winemakers will rendezvous with a purpose to highlight their success with this noble grape variety. As a co-sponsor of the event the wineries will be providing wine for one of the lunch programs, serving the region’s wine to more than 250 participants.

When asked about the event, Sean O’Keefe, winemaker at Chateau Grand Traverse elaborates that “a number of Northern Michigan winemakers have been working for many years to create what they believe to be a true regional style.  We are excited to be participating in this event, and look forward to presenting our wines alongside the classic Rieslings of Germany, Austria and Alsace.  This is a fabulous opportunity for us to show that not only “can” we grow Riesling in Northern Michigan, but that we can do so at the highest international level.”

The event will be held on July 11, 12 and 13^th and is hosted by North America's premier Riesling producer, Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington state and Ernst Loosen of Germany's renowned Dr. Loosen estate.

Information about Northern Michigan wineries participating is below:

Bowers Harbor Vineyards is a family run winery surrounded by epic views of Lake Michigan’s historic Bowers harbor. Our cool climate region produces dynamically expressive varietal wines.

Black Star Farms is a unique agricultural entity that features three tasting rooms, two winery production facilities, a distillery, B&B Inn, and equestrian facility.  The winery is proud to represent the viticultural diversity of the Northwest Michigan region.

Chateau Grand Traverse has moved into its second generation of family winemaking – and has grown to be one of the largest Riesling producers in the Eastern United States. Riesling is the winery’s passion, and it has been a tireless promoter of the variety as the Old Mission Peninsula’s signature grape.

Left Foot Charley is a winery located in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The winery works with 14 local growers exclusively to provide the highest quality fruit for their varietal and blended wines.

 Peninsula Cellars is a family run winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula. Their philosophy toward wine making is minimalistic, allowing the regional expression of the fruit to come through.

 2 Lads Winery is a 10,500 square foot facility located on 58 acres on the Old Mission Peninsula. They specialize in cool climate red and sparkling wines.

In addition, the wines of Bel Lago and Chateau Chantal will be represented by Linda Jones, of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, as it is acting as co-sponsor for the Michigan portion of the event.

Winemaker Lee Lutes has chosen to feature three of our wines including, 2008/09 Arcturos Pinot Gris (depending on availability either is fine), 2007 Arcturos Pinot Noir, and the Sirius Pear Dessert Wine. Lee will be leading the discussion and welcoming comments and reviews about all of the wines.  The idea behind these "twastings" is to make wine purchasing and tasting less daunting as well as more accessible for the average consumer. Participants are encouraged to look, smell, taste and then decide — just like they would if they were in one of our tasting rooms. Ging also writes a weekly column in the Oakland Press that corresponds with the scheduled Twitter tastings.

Want to participate? Pick up one, two, or all three of the featured wines at a local store (some suggestions are below) or order them on-line in time for the tasting next Thursday, June 24th. Log on at 7 p.m. to the Supermarket Sommelier Twitter site and the Black Star Farms Twitter site to sip, tweet and follow the conversation. Use hashtag #ttbsf.

Here is a list of stores and the featured wine(s) they stock in the Oakland County area:

• Colasanti – all three wine, the Pinot Gris, the Pinot Noir and the Sirius Pear
• Farmington Liquor – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Grapes & Hops Market – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Holiday Food Center – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Oxford Wine & Beverage  – Pinot Noir & Sirius Pear
• P-Fino – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Plum Market – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Rudy's Market – both the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir
• Alex's Market & Grill  – the Pinot Noir
• Johnny Pomodoro's – the Pinot Noir
• Kroger in Bloomfield Hills – the Pinot Gris
• Manny's Liquor Shoppe – the Pinot Noir
• Market Fresh – the Pinot Noir
• Market Square of Birmingham – The Pinot Gris
• Meadow's Party Store – The Pinot Gris
• Oakridge Market – the Pinot Noir
• Red Wagon – the Pinot Noir
• Royal Liquor – the Pinot Gris
• Tom's Market – the Pinot Gris
• Westborn Fruit Market – the Sirius Pear

 We look forward to tasting with you soon!

Thanks Laura and the Marigold crew for the photos and the good time!

Gold and Silver Awards Were Awarded to the Following Wines:

Gold:

• 2007 A Capella Ice Wine
• 2009 Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling
• 2009 Arcturos Riesling
• 2009 Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay
• 2008 Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay
• Not Yet Released 2009 Isidor's Choice Pinot Grigio
• Sirius Maple Dessert Wine

Silver:

• 2008 Arcturos Pinot Gris
• 2008 Black Star Farms Sparkling Wine
• 2008 Isidor's Choice Chardonnay
• Black Star Farms Cherry Wine
• 2009 Arcturos Pinot Noir Rosé
• Red House White
• Red House Red
• Sirius Raspberry Dessert Wine
• 2007 Arcturos Pinot Noir
• 2007 Arcturos Cabernet Franc

We are proud to participate in this annual competition that helps raise funds for scholarships and other culinary education benefits. For a complete list of the results visit the Oaklund Community College website.

A big thank you to Shannon and Cortney for their support and constant promotion of our state's wine industry.  Take a look at what they are writing, podcasting and tasting by following them on Facebook or Twitter @MichbytheBottle or by subscribing to their blog.

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If you’re a fan of fondue, you’ll likely enjoy the laid back feel of grilling at your own pace, dousing your creations with as little or as much of the cheese as you like, and delighting in the shifting tastes of the wines as the meal progresses.

Watch this great video to learn more about our Matterhorn Grill Dinners at TASTES of Black Star Farms from Shannon and Cortney Casey at  Michigan By the Bottle.

For questions or to register in advance please call or email Coryn at Black Star Farms at 231-944-1311 or cbriggs@blackstarfarms.com.