Barn Raising!
Posted August 7, 2008 by Steve
Although I’ve searched the Mormon family tree website, I can find no documentation of an Amish-Grossnickle connection; however, this weekend I felt the DNA connection with the raising of our tasting room barn. My good friends, John Clay and Steve Curley, helped as we assisted David Ciolek and his able bodied aide, Cody, in the setting of the major end beams for the barn, all done without aid of a crane. It was an exhilirating experience as we climbed ladders, swung ropes over beams, set diagonal braces, and fit it all together with an ingenious device called a “come along”. One can relive his/her childhood memories of Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs, but this time on steroids and played for real.
The real enlightenment came as it all did come together and fit squarely in place as we pounded in the beam pegs. Watching 120-year-old hand ax hewn beams dovetail together producing a structure as sound as it was when new, I quickly realized that the corner convenience stores of today will not be resurrected 120 years from now. In fact, the oldest structure in my town of Warsaw, Indiana, is the courthouse. I felt a real sense of accomplishment and feel that many of our tasters will recall, as I have, the nostalgia of a barn remembrance, and perhaps a grandparent or parent owner. Come visit.
Randy
August 12, 2008 at 6:49 am
From South Bend. Stopped at the winery in mid July but your tasting room was closed. Looking forward very much to sampling your wines. Any chance that you might be able to retail any of your wines in the South Bend/Northern Indiana area?
Tom Nelson
August 20, 2008 at 6:43 am
On behalf of the Leelanau Conservancy, thanks to Steve, Lori, Shawn, Dave H., Cindy, Doug, Dave C. and Nancy — all of whom made our recent tour of Forty-Five North a rousing good time! Over 70 members and supporters of the Conservancy visited the winery and vineyard and loved it. They, and we, are grateful for the Grossnickle Family’s commitment to permanently preserve this incredible place on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. As Steve put it, this is the legacy the Grossnickle Family wants to leave to the good people of Leelanau. Wine enthusiasts and Leelanau-lovers alike should know that unlike most other wineries, this beautiful vineyard has been preserved in perpetuity. And in addition to the vineyard and tasting room in a very cool restored historic barn (thanks in part to Nancy Kotting of N.L. Kotting & Co), the Grossnickles have also forever-protected a long stretch of Beaudwin Creek — a tributary of Lake Leelanau. This will greatly help to ensure the continued high water quality of the Lake. And, they have preserved the wetlands and forest habitat on their land for wildlife. Wow.
Hemingway might have put it this way: The vineyard is beautiful, the forest green, the stream clear, the people wonderful and the wine is GREAT.
A hearty THANK YOU to Forty-Five North. You are all truly heroes!
Gabriele
September 3, 2008 at 2:24 pm
We were recently vacationing on Lake Leelanau and went on a wine tasting tour on a cloudy day. Stopped at 45North and fell in love with the Riesling - not too sweet, not too dry - a lovely white wine! We’re from the GR area, so hope to get back up to buy a case, but if you’re selling in our area, let us know where! Good job!
Christina L. Beckman-Holmes
September 16, 2008 at 5:32 am
I went to our annual family reunion in Northport this year and purchased your 45north-45 white-’07 and absolutely LOVED IT! I would like to know where you sell this particular wine in the Lansing area? Thanks!
Jim Johnston
September 23, 2008 at 11:52 am
I understand your illustrious and quite talented consultant from California is on site this week. Give him my best and best of luck to all of you. You have a great place and outstanding wine!
Jim Johnston
Kirkland, WA
Jeff
October 9, 2008 at 8:22 am
My wife Julie and I were up the weekend of 10/4/08, and had a great time when we stopped in. Steve you and John were great to us, oh and I can’t forget Cindy! that was awesome of you to take care of me and my Vinture purchase. 45 North has become one of our favs, and I have spread the word, back down here in the flat lands. Keep up the good work and we will see you next year for sure if not sooner.