Blustone’s 2018 Pinot Grigio

Bottoms Up

By Lynda Wheatley | July 4, 2020

You can tell a lot about a winery by tasting its least expensive bottle — in this case, Blustone Vineyard’s 2018 Pinot Grigio. Made from grapes grown on its Leelanau estate vineyard, this $14 bottle so wowed us with its crisp, sunny, and not-sweet fruit and fresh-cut-grass flavors that we passed a leisurely afternoon with one, then two wonderful glasses ($8 each), then bought a bottle to take home — with no buyer’s remorse whatsoever.

For what it’s worth, our editor’s notoriously frugal mother, who swooned at the sweeter and significantly pricier 2019 Blu Sparkling Riesling ($22 per bottle) pronounced her two glasses ($10 each) and take-home bottle worth every penny, too. Find both at Blustone’s modern and well-spaced indoor and outdoor tasting area hidden a bit north of M-204 at 780 N. Sylt Rd. Reservations available and recommended. (231) 256-0146, www.blustonevineyards.com