Winter Warm UP

We decided to get out of the house despite the cold weather and take part in the Old Mission peninsula wineries' sponsored event called Winter Warm Up. Almost all of the wineries on the peninsula participated. Each place offered some warm spiced wine from their vinyard, various snacks and several had some low key entertainment. It was also a chance to buy their wines at a 20% discount so how could we resist?

We forgot the camera so Rose took her first photo with her cell phone. A little shaky but she did it! This was our first stop at Peninsula Cellars which is a little school house converted to a tasting room. Despite the rather harsh weather there were quite a few people out and about and even a tour bus pulled in a short time after we arrived! Hard to see in this photo but I'm wearing one of the hats that Rose has been busy crocheting this winter to use up all the scraps of yarn. We picked up a little cherry desert wine and one of the few local red wines that Rose likes. A nice pumpkin cake and several kinds of cookies were their snack along with two kinds of warm mulled spice wine.

Chateau Chantal has a very nice view of both East and West Grand Traverse Bays from their hilltop location. They served pecan tortes and pumpkin cheesecake. We picked up a local champagne and another slightly sweet red that Rose likes.

The stop at Bowers Harbor winery had a nice outdoor fire along with the tasting room. They grilled venison burgers with a cherry chutney topping as their snack. It was great!

Rose warmed up by the fire and had a little warmed spice wine at Bowers Harbor.

No photos of Chateau Grand Traverse but we stopped there as well. We picked up what we think is their specialty...Late Harvest Reisling and Bob's favorite chadonnay (he doesn't like much white wine) called Barrel Fermented Chardonnay which has a great smoky flavor that really compliments grilled salmon.

All in all a nice day despite slippery roads and very cold temperatures. No sun but the day was brightened a bit by the wine and beautiful snowscape.