Tastemakers

Feb. 14, 2007

Leelanau Peninsula Taste the Passion


While the good folks at Timber Ridge are offering a local brew-focused snowshoe event, the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula will be hosting their annual Taste the Passion/Snowshoe Stomp weekend February 16-18.
Now in its sixth year, Taste the Passion is the first in a series of several wine trail events hosted by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association throughout the year. The weekend features several events starting with a welcome reception Friday night at the Inside Out Gallery in the warehouse district of Traverse City with a tasting of Leelanau Peninsula wines and local microbrews, assorted soups and light appetizers and tunes by local favorites, Soul Patch. On Saturday, snowshoe enthusiasts may choose from five recreational trails through the vineyards, with complimentary snowshoes provided by Tubbs and Redfeather.
For the competitive types there is a snowshoe race as well, with the winners receiving cash prizes. Both snowshoe events will have hot-mulled wine, locally roasted coffee and baked goods and a cool long sleeve shirt. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon the wineries will host their Taste the Passion wine and food-pairing event with each winery preparing either a chocolate dish or warm appetizer and pairing it with a wine. Every participant will receive a collectible event wine glass.
Proceeds benefit the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners, a non-profit organization, that markets the Leelanau wine region. The association uses its proceeds to support numerous causes in the region from the Traverse City Film Festival to the Crooked Tree Arts Center to the Dennos Museum, Great Lakes Culinary Institute and the Traverse City Opera House. Since its inception seven years ago the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners and its member wineries have contributed in excess of a $100,000 to organizations in the region that support the cultural, culinary and performing arts, agricultural interests and land preservation efforts. To learn more or purchase tickets visit www.lpwines.com or call (231) 938-1811. (Rick Coates works for the Leelanau Vintners)

Suds & Snow

When Gordon Waggoner and Kristin Levesque purchased Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort near Traverse City a couple of years ago the two had no previous resort or campground management experience. That didn’t stop them from jumping in with both feet. They have quickly turned Timber Ridge (formally Jellystone) into a popular year round destination for families and those who have an appreciation for the outdoors. With several acres of woods and property that abuts state land and the Vasa Trail Timber Ridge is the ideal setting for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and just plain hanging out.
With tough times in the tourism industry, the new Timber Ridge owners have not been sitting back in their rocking chairs waiting for business to come to them instead they have been busy renovating the facilities and creating cool events to attract visitors and encourage locals to take a look at what they have to offer. This weekend they will present their first annual Suds & Snow, an opportunity to taste microbrews from Shorts Brewery and the Traverse Brewing Company.
Participants will be encouraged to try snowshoeing, one of the fastest growing winter activities in the country. The Mackinaw Brewing Company, along with A Catered Affair, will offer appetizers.
“The area is known for its luscious vineyard landscapes and delicious wines and thousands flock to the region annually to partake in what is now a rival to other popular destinations across the country,” said Gordon Waggoner. “With so much focus now on the local grapes, other beverages are being overlooked and we feel that area beers and breweries should share the spotlight.”
Suds and Snow is a ticketed event and the first ticket holders will receive a commemorative event pint glass. Timber Ridge has formed a foundation to support local charities and proceeds from the event will go to the Timber Ridge Charitable Foundation. Kudos to Timber Ridge for what surely will be a wonderful addition to the regions ever growing list of culinary and beverage focused events. Suds & Snow is Saturday February 17 from 1 to 5 pm. Additional information and ticket information is available at www.timberridgeresort.net or by calling the office (231) 947-2770