Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery is located at 6530 S. Lake Shore Drive in Cedar near South Lake Leelanau. Their tasting room is in nearby Lake Leelanau. Here is their story:
We first planted grapes on our family farm over twenty years ago (1987), establishing a variety testing vineyard of about one acre. We have subsequently expanded our winegrape vineyards to over 30 acres. Bel Lago wines are made from grapes grown in our family owned vineyards overlooking Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan.
Leelanau County is a wonderful place to grow winegrapes. The climate and soils favor cool climate classics like Pinot grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot noir and other select varieties. The region is also excellent for fine sparkling wines.
We have selected varieties carefully, to match the climate and soils to produce the finest wines possible. Winemakers world-wide recognize the importance of selecting the proper clonal mix of each variety. We, too, have planted many different clones of Pinot noir (~ 30), Pinot grigio (~5), Chardonnay (~10), Auxerrois (~3), Pinot blanc (~3), and Riesling (~5) to blend into our estate wines. The clones include 'elite' selections such as the Dijon clones of Pinot noir and Chardonnay from the Burgundy region in France, select German Riesling clones, and specially selected clones from the Champagne region in France.
The wine list (from the website) includes:
Dry White Wines
- Pinot Grigio - Fresh citrus, pear, and yeast aromas.
- Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay - sur lie aged Pinot Grigio (75%) and barrel fermented Chardonnay (25%).
- Auxerrois - Fruit flavors, with apple and lemony aromas.
- Chardonnay - Elegant fruit mingled with fine vanilla and toasty oak aromas.
- Leelanau Conservancy Crystal River Cuvee - Pear, peach, pineapple, and citrus notes, with a touch of toasty oak.
Semi-dry White Wines
- Pinot Gris - Soft peach, pear, and honey favors with a hint of vanilla.
- Leelanau Primavera NV - Apple, pear and citrus.
- Gewurztraminer -Lychee and rose petals with ample amounts of spice.
Red Wines
- Pinot Noir - Cherry, berry aromas, and spice notes.
- Bel Lago Red NV - Black fruit and cherry flavors, toasty oak, vanilla, smoke and spice.
- Tempesta -. A big, complex red.
Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wines
- BRUT Sparkling Wine - Beautiful pear, apple, and toasty nut bread aromas, with a creamy mousse.
- Brillante Sparkling Wine - Loads of fresh fruit and citrus flavors.
Sweet Dessert Style Wines
- Riesling 2002 - Peach, pear, and apple flavors.
- Pinot Grigio Ice Wine - Apricot, honey, peach, and pear flavors.
Cherry Wines
- Cherry Primavera NV - Fresh spicy cherry, apple, and citrus aromas.
- Cherry Wine - Hungarian tart cherry varieties Danube and Balaton and the Heirloom French variety Montmorency.
- Cherry Port NV - Hungarian tart cherry varieties Danube™ and Balaton® and the Heirloom French variety Montmorency. Fortified with cherry spirits. Sweet dessert wine. Sweet. 19% Alcohol.
Bel Lago wines have won numerous awards including 41 Gold Medals, 98 Silver Medals, and a Bronze Medal. Here are some of their recent medals.
- Leelanai Brillante Sparkling Wine won 3 Gold Medals and was named 'Best in Class Close Cuve' at the Indianapolis International Wine Competition in 2007.
- Pinot Grigio won Double Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2003) and Gold Medal, Riverside California International Wine Competition (vintage 2003).
- Leelanau Peninsula Chardonnay won Gold Medal and Best of Class (Dry White Wine), 2004 Michigan State Fair (vintage 2001) and Double Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2002).
- Leelanau Penninsula Gewurztraminier won Gold Medal, Riverside California International & Tasters Guild International (vintage 2002), "One of the best American Made Gewurztraminers I ever tasted" Dan Berger, Wine Writer, Los Angeles Times (vintage 2002), and Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2004).
- 2002 Estate Pinot Grigio Ice Wine won Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2002).
- Pinot Grigio (75%) and Chardonnay (25%) won Gold Medal, Tasters Guild International (vintage 2003).
You can buy Bel Lago wines at fine restaurants and local beverage retail outlets. You can order from them directly by phone at 231-228-4800. You can send email to info@bellago.com.
The winery is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am until 6 pm and on Sunday from noon until 6 pm. The tasting room is open daily from noon until 6 pm, May through October.
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Comments
I bet they have learned a lot in those 20 years. Al those awards attest to it. Thanks for the info., Jackie. I am also really enjoying your National Organizer column. Glad to be a subscriber.
Jackie, all that reporting on the great wineries up there makes me want to come to Michigan. I'll bet that subject makes being prolific all the more fun. Keep up the great work!
Greg, Come on up. We have great wine, great food, great people, and 3,288 miles of fresh-water coastline. We have sport boating, sport fishing, and lots of just relaxing.
Jackie
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