If you missed the Tweet and Taste Michigan event featuring our wines take a look at this podcast by the idea man himself, Shannon Casey. This was a great virtual event with 66 participants and 863 tweets. The conversations were fun, educating, and exciting and they can also be viewed here. Â
At last, a bottle of wine has found its place on the family dinner table! Join us for our 1st Cork and a Fork with Marigold Productions! We'll taste wines and enjoy hors d'oeuevres at the Hearth and Vine on March 29th from 6pm – 8pm. Chef Johnathon Dayton and Chef Paul Carlson will show us how to cook a family meal of beef short ribs cooked en daube. Guests will leave with a pre-packaged main course, a bottle of wine and a fabulous recipe! For more information click here.
Hearth and Vine is now open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 5pm to 9pm. Seating is limited and reservations are appreciated. For reservations, please call 231.944.1297
From late spring through fall, Hearth & Vine is open daily serving delicious wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches as well as soups and salads. Black Star Farms wine is available by the glass or bottle along with soft drinks, coffee and tea. Lunch and snacks can be enjoyed out on the terrace or indoors in the cozy cafe.
On the market side we’re all about local. Black Star Farms farm-fresh eggs and fruits and vegetables from our and neighboring farms are offered seasonally. Pastries, cookies and 9 Bean Rows hearth-baked breads, Black Star Farms maple syrup, verjus and kettle cooked jams and preserves, and the best of other locally produced items are also available.
We can be found in the Twitter universe at bstar2009 as well as on our Facebook fan page. Thanks social media for opening the doors of communication with new and longtime friends of Black Star Farms. The conversations on Facebook are fun and the tweets are exciting! Speaking of exciting mark your calendars for our next BIG event to happen on Twitter on March 8th, 2010 at 8 pm — Tweet & Taste Michigan — our very first virtual wine tasting with Michigan By The Bottle.
Join head winemaker Lee Lutes, master sommelier Claudia Tyagi, and several local wine bloggers as we explore a select group of our wines and share tasting notes and impressions on Twitter. If you want to add another element of fun invite friends over to share the beverages, the tweets and of course some delicious dishes to complement the wines. Recommended food pairings can be found at the end of this blog post.
How it Works:
Pick up the wines we are tasting at your local wine shop or online. Black Star Farms is offering $.01 shipping to business addresses for participants. Use code TweetNTaste in the online shopping cart or place your order by calling 231-944-1270. (For questions or possible exceptions on the shipping discount please call Black Star Farms at 231-944-1311)
Log into Twitter on Monday, March 8, at 8 p.m. EST (using either Twitter.com or your favorite Twitter client, such as TweetDeck).
Search using #ttmi (this is the hashtag that we will add to all of our posts).
As we taste through the wines, share your impressions and feel free to ask the winemaker any questions. Add #ttmi after every post, to ensure everyone sees it.
The Wines & Recommended Food Pairing Ideas:
2008 Black Star Farms Arcturos Dry Riesling
Pair with:Â Spicy chicken or shrimp kabobs, chicken lettuce wraps and your favorite seafood dishes.
2007 Black Star FarmsArcturos Pinot Noir
Pair with:Â Grilled herb crusted lamb or salmon, mushroom inspired dishes as well as mild and creamy cheeses.
2007 Black Star Farms Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay
Pair with: Roasted or grilled pork, duck, or salmon as well as cream based soups and pastas.
Calling all Pear Wine lovers…the Pear Wine is now available.Â
Definitely worth the wait! Open a bottle and experience the intense aromatics of pure pear, succulent flavors, and a delightful fruit essence. "This is possibly one of the best vintages of this wine we've produced," says Retail Sales Manager Chris Lopez.  This is no surprise as 2009 was a stellar year for pears, apples, and cherries.Â
Pear wine is a delicious wine to sip on by itself but it also has dyanmic food pairing possibilities. A staff favorite is pear wine with blue cheese and simple crackers. It is also a wonderful compliment to savory salads, an array of mild to medium flavored cheeses, fruit/nut based desserts and white meats either baked or roasted.
You can find this wine at our tasting rooms or on-line. Call 231.944.1270.
Along with a perfume mixing in southern France, skiing by moonlight in St. Moritz, and the glamorous beach scene in Bali, the vineyard views of the Grand Traverse Bay wine area provide one of Travel + Leisure magazine's 50 Best Romantic Getaways for 2010. They suggest the Inn at Black Star Farms as the base for the getaway.
Call 231.944.1251 to book your romantic getaway, and have the same exceptional experience the editors found during their stay.
Through March, the Inn is offering its Wednesday and Thursday night guests $50 Dinner Dollars to be used at either Hearth & Vine right there at the farm or at TASTES of Black Star Farms in the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. At Hearth & Vine guests will dine on wood-fired fare, while at TASTES they'll enjoy the Matterhorn Grill dinner.
Have a relaxing mid-week stay at the Inn and a delicious meal that's partially on us. What better way to turn those winter blahs into pampered aahs?
Our vineyard cafe has gone through a metamorphosis and become an intimate space with a supper club feel.  Not only that, it's open to the public as well as to Inn guests for dinner on Wednesday through Sunday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.
Chef Paul is turning out delicious wood-fired fare and Maggie's desserts are inspired. Ellie handles the front of the house and is there to make sure your experience is exceptional. Of course, there's an extensive list of Black Star Farms wines to accompany your meal.
Please call 231.944.1297 to make your reservations today.
Every vintage yields select small lots with unique characteristics. This bottling is a blend of these "micro-lots," showcasing the strength of the 2007 vintage and the flavors of the Northwest region.
A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot this is a round and full-bodied dry red wine. Enjoy the rich, dark, fruit flavors that are complimented by a hint of cocoa and spice.  Pair this wine with hearty meals including stews and rich sauces. It is a great compliment to many winter dishes.
