Sorry for the lateness of posting this but the internet has only just returned to our RV camp site!

The greater Traverse City area, which includes Old Mission peninsula, where Mike and I visited today, is one of five American Viticulture areas in Michigan. The soil is sandy, with good drainage and a lake-dominated climate allows a longer growing season than most of the US.

The region’s climate also allows for the production of ice wine, which requires an early hard freeze so the fruit, still on the vine, can be harvested while frozen. Northern Michigan wineries follow some of the German practices that govern what wine qualifies as Ice wine. German law dictates that ice wine must be picked only when the grapes are frozen on the vine, while the US allows for wine to be sold as ice wine if the grapes are picked and then artificially frozen. The grapes are generally picked in December after prolonged below-freezing temperatures, to ensure they are frozen all the way through. Ice wine is sometimes referred to as liquid gold because of its high cost to make and purchase and because of the wine’s intense sweetness.

The Chateau Chantal winery, pictured above, sits on top of one of the highest points on the peninsula and has gorgeous views of both the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay. 

On the other side of the street is another winery, again with gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay. As you can see, the vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see and it really was a spectacular drive through the region.