Category Archives: Leelanau Peninsula

Hybrids on the Down Low

Posted on June 23, 2015 by intoxreport

The vines to Tony’s Ciccone’s left are producing some flop sweat, but not many grapes.  The rows are showing unmistakable signs of desperation.  The trellises are in DEFCON 3, as though the hassles, deadlines and frustrations of producing commercial quantities of … Continue reading →

Posted in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dan Matthies and Chateau Fontaine: Please Exit Through The Gift Shop

Posted on May 21, 2015 by intoxreport

I want you to take the following statement with a grain of salt, and then I want to sell you a desalination plant: Salesmen are born, not made—and Don Matthies was born to be a salesman. Whether he is hawking … Continue reading →

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Willow Chardonnay With Humble P

Posted on May 19, 2015 by intoxreport

When you reach the top of the gravelly incline that leads to Willow Vineyards, you are confronted with the most iconic view of Northern Michigan wine country that exists. Grape vines tumble down a fertile slope to a line of stately pines, … Continue reading →

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The Intoxicating Intellect of G. Stanley Howell

Posted on November 9, 2014 by intoxreport

Had G. Stanley Howell showed up for our wine chat dressed in full CSA officer regalia, complete with three star collar insignia, cadet grey overcoat and lion’s-head saber, I would have considered it perfectly appropriate.  Not only because the retired … Continue reading →

Posted in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Charlie Edson Rings My Bel

Posted on October 29, 2014 by intoxreport

Among Leelanau’s most unique boutiques, Bel Lago is positioned right out of the chute.  For one thing, it is not in the mainstream ‘loop’ of money-shot, photo-op, rich man’s wineries up and down the coast.  For another, it doesn’t even … Continue reading →

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Bernie Rink: The Laird of Leelanau

Posted on October 16, 2014 by intoxreport

In the beginning, God created Leelanau Peninsula, and very shortly after that, Bernie Rink was born.  Today, at 88, you can find him sitting in the half-light at the entrance of Boskydel’s tasting room, exactly where a bouncer would sit … Continue reading →

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Tony Ciccone: Papa Can Too Preach

Posted on October 7, 2014 by intoxreport

I wonder if when Tony’s kids were small, they used to say, “Papa, tell us the dead cat story again!!” Actually, you probably know at least one of Tony’s kids—pretty well, too—but  enough about that for now.  I’m of an … Continue reading →

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Warren Raftshol: Peripheral Persistence

Posted on September 29, 2014 by intoxreport

Whenever I stop in to see old Warren Raftshol in Leelanau’s answer to Area 51, I’m sort of overwhelmed; I feel both wildly lonely and strangely optimistic. He hangs on inside his wayward depot despite the odds, and Warren—whose sculpted … Continue reading →

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Wearing Their Hearts On My Mitten: Michigan Wine Competition, 2014

Posted on August 15, 2014 by intoxreport

I certainly hand it to the grape council that represents my Mitten: They are one sincere bunch. Such punkling puns aside, I mention this because The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council held its 37th Michigan Wine Competition on August 5, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruit Wines, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, MIDWEST, Old Mission Peninsula | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Turning On The Pigott Spigot In The ‘City Of Riesling’

Posted on July 30, 2014 by intoxreport

For a place that bills itself as the City of Riesling, Traverse City spends a lot of time sleeping with the enemy.  For example, browse the tree-lined heart of the shopping district and look for chocolate covered grapes at Riesling … Continue reading →

Posted in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, MIDWEST, Old Mission Peninsula | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments