Tastemakers: Brownwood Farms Kream Mustard - Madonna Wines

Nov. 15, 2006

Brownwood Farms Kream Mustard
Recently I attended a conference that attracted 1,000 visitors to Northern Michigan to discuss community-based tourism, agri-tourism and cultural tourism. In one of the sessions, a gentleman shared a list of several items that friends and family back home asked him to purchase and bring back. His list included local wines, jams, preserves and other locally-made products. At the top of the list were 17 jars of Brownwood Farms Kream Mustard.
Agri-tourism is hot right now; it isn’t something new, it is just something that tourism leaders are starting to get their hands on. Farms in Northern Michigan have been attracting visitors for years with their value-added products and roadside markets. Brownwood Farms of Eastport is an excellent example, starting 60 years ago when they released their Cherry Butter and Kream Mustard (family recipes) to the public. What started as a simple roadside operation has grown to a major tourist attraction and mail order business. The family over the years purchased rundown historic buildings in the area and moved them to their farm for restoration.
As for the Kream Mustard. it took home a Gold Medal at the 2006 Napa Valley Mustard Festival. The conference attendee said he and his family use the mustard exclusively and love to “slap it on” steaks and chicken before before grilling. It also is perfect for dipping pretzels and vegetables. As the traveling public looks for that “authentic” experience, look to our local agricultural community to play a larger role in tourism. For additional information on the Brownwood Farms Kream Mustard or their other products visit www.brownwoodfarms.com.

BOTTOMS UP
Ciccone Vineyards “Madonna Wines”

Since they opened their winery seven years ago in Suttons Bay, a day doesn’t go by that Tony and Joan Ciccone are not asked the “M” questions. The answers are yes to Madonna being their daughter, and no to Madonna being a part owner of the winery. Until now, visitors to the tasting room would not see any connection to arguably the most famous female pop star in the world. That all changed last week when the Ciccone’s released a collector’s series of Madonna wines with labels themed from her “Confessions” tour. Madonna has spoken publicly about her father’s winery during her appearance on the Jay Leno show and in People Magazine when she was pictured with a bottle of his wine on her table while dining out in Chicago. The Ciccones have balked in the past at using their daughter’s celebrity to sell their wine. But after she agreed to be a part of the “Celebrity Cellars” promotion, she suggested to the promoters that her father’s wines be used. So, after two years of development the Madonna wine series was released at a fundraising event in Grand Rapids. The five wines from the 2005 vintage include a Pinot Grigio Ambrato, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Unlike Bruce Jenner who didn’t eat Wheaties, Madonna does enjoy her father’s wines and shares her father’s passion for wine. To learn more, visit Ciccone Vineyards on Hilltop Rd in Suttons Bay www.cicconevineyards.com