Left Foot Charley‘s Patio

July 12, 2009

Hot New Venue:
Left Foot Charley’s Patio 7/13/09

One of summer’s unexpected pleasures is the new patio scene at Left Foot
Charley Winery & Tasting Room, located at the Grand Traverse Commons in
Traverse City.
Last week, a crowd of up to 200 people gathered to hear folkies Seth and
May Erlewine perform at a concert co-hosted by Higher Grounds, the coffee
company which is located next door.
But the ongoing action is on Thursday and Fridays from 6-8 p.m. when Left
Foot Charley’s patio hosts musical entertainment.
“We spent some time in Europe and that’s how they enjoy wine overseas --
by the glass,” say Bryan Ulbrich, who co-owns the winery with his wife
Jennifer. “We’re trying to appeal to locals with a happy hour.”
The Ulbrichs launched Left Foot Charley in their garage on Old Mission
Peninsula in 2004, initially selling their wine direct to restaurants. In
2007, they moved to what was once an industrial laundry facility for the
long-gone State Hospital. Today, their winery, tasting room and patio
scene is located at 806 Red Drive, just south of Munson Medical Center
behind Building 50.
The patio and tasting room offer a classy but casual wine bar atmosphere,
with popular beverages including a selection of Reisling and Pinot Grigio
wines as well as hard cider. Typically, a glass of wine runs $5, with the
hard cider at $4. The winery also offers an assortment of five or six
appetizers.
“The hard cider is refreshing, but is lower in alcohol than wine. It’s
like a strong beer -- a great summer drink,” Ulbrich says. “People are
discovering the beauty of the apple again.”
Parents will be thrilled to learn that there is also a sandbox and
playground for kids located just off the patio. The patio attracts many
young couples with children. “It’s nice to have that kind of atmosphere
where you can have a happy hour for people who are going out later that
night, or who have kids,” Ulbrich says.