Leelanau Northern Loop 2nd Annual New Release Wine Competition

The wineries of the Northern Loop of the Leelanau Wine Trail held their second annual New Release Competition and Tasting at Verterra Winery in Leland Michigan on Friday, April 26. Seventeen wines and three ciders were debuted at the competition, which included offerings from all ten of the wineries in the Northern Loop of the Leelanau Peninsula. The wines and ciders were from the 2011-2012 vintages.

Of all the wines tasted, the judges selected the following as their favorites:

2012 Rose’ of Pinot Noir and 2012 Medium Sweet Riesling, both from Verterra Winery.

2012 Pinot Grigio and 2011 Winemakers Red, both from Bluestone Vineyards .

2012 Unwooded Chardonnay and 2011 Cab Franc, both from 45 North Vineyard and Winery.

2012 Riesling Semi-Dry from Gill’s Pier Vineyard and Winery.

2012 Late Harvest Vignoles from Leelanau Wine Cellars.

2011 Early Day Cider from Tandem Ciders.

Paul Hamelin, owner of Verterra Winery in Leland Michigan, and host of the competition

Rick Conney, General Manager of Apache Trout Grill, and Tim Tebeau, Food and Wine Editor of Traverse Magazine, two of the judges at the competition.

Ric Cerrini, owner of Bon Vin in Traverse City, Charlie Wunsch of Edible Grand Traverse Magazine, and Mike Francisco, owner of Francisco’s Market in Traverse City were three of the judges at Friday’s tasting