Tastemakers: Traverse Epicurean Classic - Leelanau Penninsula Vintners Harvest Stompede

Sept. 6, 2006

Traverse Epicurean Classic
Now in its third year, the Traverse Epicurean Classic has become the ultimate “foodie” experience in Northern Michigan. Cre-ated by Matt Sutherland and Mark Dressler of the Traverse Epicurean Alliance – an educational organization dedicated to creating greater awareness and appreciation of food, wine and brewing artisanship – the event showcases some of the nation’s top chefs, wine experts and others committed to the lifestyle that surrounds culinary excellence. Some of those chefs and winemakers live and create right here in our backyard.
This year’s Epicurean Classic will take place September 14 – 16 at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, part of Northwestern Michigan College’s West Bay Campus. The three-day affair boasts over 60 classes ranging from wine evaluation to English cheeses and ales to regional cuisine cooking. Several receptions and dinners will be offered with the opening reception (Thursday night) “Seafood, Rawbar & Riesling Revelry” featuring chef Tom Gutow of Maine, considered one of the nation’s top seafood chefs, who will present a seafood extravaganza of oysters, clams, shrimp, Maine lobster, as well as fried clams served East coast-style in paper cones, buttery smoked whitefish terrines, and more.
A collection of the world’s top Rieslings will be offered, including six from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. The Epicurean Classic will wrap up with the Grand Reception on Saturday night that will highlight several dishes from the numerous guest and local chefs. The reception will include more than 180 wines from around the world. To learn more, buy tickets or sign up for classes visit
www.epicureanclassic.com

Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Harvest Stompede
Northern Michigan wineries brought home plenty of hardware at the recent Michigan State Fair Wine Competition. The Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula wineries took “Best of Class” in six of seven categories and brought home six of the 10 Double Gold Medal winners. Shady Lane Cellars took Best of Class and Double Gold for their Semi-Dry Riesling and another Double Gold for their Sparkling Riesling.
The newest winery in Michigan Longview Vineyards located in Cedar took home Best of Show for their Cherry Wine and the Judges’ Special Award for their Cabernet Franc. To date the wineries from the Leelanau Peninsula have taken home collectively more than 300 medals at various state, regional and international wine competitions.
The wineries will showcase these award-winning wines at the upcoming Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Harvest Stompede weekend September 15-17. The Stompede offers participants to enjoy wines paired with an assortment of pastas and other wine friendly foods over the weekend. For those interested in getting a closer look, the Vintners offer a morning walk or run through the vineyards. Participants may choose from a 3-mile walk, 5 K fun run or the challenging 7-mile run. “The Leelanau Vintners have partnered with several groups in the region to create The Festival of the Senses” (further details in the September 14 Northern Express) to showcase the region’s cultural, culinary and artistic talents over that weekend. Look for Leelanau Peninsula wines at the Traverse City Art Walk on Friday September 14 as well as over the weekend at the Epicurean Classic. To learn more about the Harvest Stompede and other happenings during the “Festival of the Senses” visit www.lpwines.com or call (231) 938-1811.  (Rick Coates is a representative of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners.)