Tastemakers: Bluebird‘s Blackened Whitefish - Leland Wine Fest

June 7, 2006

The Bluebird’s Blackened Whitefish
Located on the river in Leland, The Bluebird has been a popular dining hangout for nearly 80 years. When the Telgard family opened the establishment in 1927 their specialty was Lake Michigan whitefish. Nearly 80 years later the eatery remains popular.  It is a definite Leland icon. Locals gather at days end to catch up on the happenings of the area and tourists come to authenticate their visit to Leland.
This weekend thousands will flock to the Leland Wine Festival (Saturday June 10, noon to 6 p.m.) to mark the rite of passage from spring to summer (no it’s not the solstice but this is Leland and they decide when summer starts). And as for the past 20 years an aroma of blackened whitefish will circle about. It has become tradition. This is Leland. This is Fishtown. Whitefish is a must and The Bluebird’s Blackened Whitefish, prepared with their secret Cajun spice blend, is as Leland as baseball and apple pie are American.
With 15 wineries and over 60 different wines to choose from there are several pairing options. Look for dry Rieslings, Gewürztraminers or Pinot Grigios as your best options. Be sure to stop by and see Skip Telgard (that’s Freddie in the photo) and the Bluebird gang at the Festival as well as for dinner. --Rick Coates


Leland Wine Festival
After 20 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 10 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 16 wineries from the region and 14 local eateries. The Telgards have even invited the Sun, who on most years makes a guest appearance.
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 will be attending this year’s festival) 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 ‘05 vintages and seek out some of the offerings from the newest wineries, including Brys Estates, Left Foot Charley and Cherry Republic. As for an old standby, try Fishtown White from Good Harbor. (Rick Coates is the spokesperson for the local wine region.)