Leland Wine Fest

After 22 years the Leland Wine Festival hasn’t lost any of its “flavor.” If anything, it has become more flavorful. But that is to be expected since wine improves with age.
So this Saturday, June 14 from noon to 6 p.m. nearly 5,000 will flock to the Leland Harbor where Kathy and Cris Telgard (the master sommeliers of the Festival) will have a tent set up, along with 15 wineries from the region and nine local eateries. The Telgards have even invited the Sun, which on most years makes a guest appearance.
Although it’s a week before the calendar says so, the Leland Wine Festival is the official start of summer in Northern Michigan. Festival organizers started the festival with the idea of giving the traditional slow month of June a jump start.
The success of this festival has been its “local flavor,” the good eats and drinks that are grown and made from this region.
Local wines are kicking “heiney” at international wine competitions; they have become the darlings of the wine critics (Bill Daley, wine and food writer for the Chicago Tribune attended the Leland Wine Festival two years ago and called it the best in the Midwest) and they have become an important infusion into the local economy as well as a shining light in a struggling tourism economy.
The Leland Wine Festival is a great opportunity to get caught up with friends and taste some of the best from the region’s wineries. Look for more than 60 wines from both the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. Last year was one of the best growing seasons on record so be sure to look for ’07 vintages and seek out some of the offerings from the newest wineries.
The day will also feature the music of the Fabulous Horndogs. Crowds start lining up at 11 a.m., so get to Leland early and enjoy strolling downtown. After the Festival ends enjoy dinner at The Riverside Inn, The Bluebird or The Cove. Many businesses stay open late as well for those who want to shop after the festival ends. Additional information is available at lelandmi.com. View On Our Website