Tastemakers: Dining on the fly/Two Lads Winery

May 24, 2009

Dining on the Fly 5/25/09

Dining on the Fly is a unique collaboration of three Northern Michigan businesses. The Boathouse Restaurant, Bowers Harbor Vineyard and McCool Outdoor have put together the perfect day for the fly fishing, wine and food enthusiast.
The day begins with a guided fly fishing trip to one of the region’s blue-ribbon trout streams. Led by Certified Casting Instructor and Master Angler David McCool, participants are guided down the stream and given basic instruction of casting fundamentals and entomology (what flies to use). Upon arrival, McCool offers a sparkling wine toast and gives an overview of the sport of fly fishing.
After a few hours on the stream, it is time for Chef Eric Nittolo of the Boathouse Restaurant and Spencer Stegenga of Bowers Harbor Vineyard to take over. This extraordinary evening takes place under a tent next to the stream and is highlighted by a five-course gourmet wine dinner. The Boathouse and Bowers Harbor Vineyards are neighbors and have forged a wonderful relationship that has included several wine dinners in the past.
Dining on the Fly is available anytime by reservation and you may put together your own group of up to 25. They are also organizing three upcoming opportunities for anyone to participate on June 26, July 13 and July 20 and advance reservations are required. To learn more, contact diningonthefly.com or call 231-223-4030.
--Rick Coates


Two Lads Winery
I have been buying wine from area wine shops for years and not once has anyone suggested that I buy a red wine made locally. So, much to my surprise during a recent stop at Jack’s in Traverse City the clerk suggested the Two Lads Cabernet Franc. “Best red wine ever made in Northern Michigan and it will sell out quickly,” he boasted.
Northern Michigan reds have unfortunately been given a bad rap over the years, primarily because they have been misunderstood and often are compared to reds from other regions. For the past couple of years I have been harping on the virtues of red wines made by the winemakers of this region by celebrating what these wines are embracing. Northern Michigan reds have a style of their own, and because of their limited quantities, are often released young. I have often been rewarded by cellaring local reds and letting them mature. Red wines from Northern Michigan are very food-friendly; several wineries are producing top-notch reds and Two Lads Cabernet Franc is among them.
This Old Mission winery opened last year only to close their tasting room a few months later after completely selling out of wine. Production is limited for young wineries; this year Two Lads will release collectively less than 3,000 cases among the eight wines they are offering. Expect all of their wines to sell out again this year.
Two Lads has all the right ingredients for success from their location on Smokey Hollow Road, to a contemporary winery and tasting room, to their winemaker Cornel Oliver. Oliver came to Northern Michigan 10 years ago after growing up and working in the famed Stellenbosch wine region of his native South Africa. He worked for several years making wines for Brys before starting Two Lads with Chris Baldyga.
In addition to this exceptional Cabernet Franc (which recently took home a Double Gold at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition), they will soon be releasing two more reds, a Merlot and their Reserve Cabernet Franc. All three of their reds are limited, so buy early and enjoy now; but put a few bottles in your cellar to enjoy in a couple of years.
--Rick Coates