Barn and Winery Update
Posted November 13, 2008 by Steve
Although we had originally intended for the resurrected barn to be the tasting room, the structural integrity has been questioned, rebutted, and headache-produced on a Biblical proportion. Because the overall intent of this project was to be positive, fun, and productive for the citizenry of Leelanau, it has evolved into anything but that. For that reason we will side and roof the resurrected barn as an Ag structure and possibly an event center in the future. Randy Mouw of the Barncats of Rockford, MI will be back on the job and in charge of this project; they will be re-structuring many of the old timbers to the specifications of Robert Meyer, head of the Leelanau County Construction Code Authority in hopes of fulfilling our dream. A new post and beam, rough hewn, Amish made kit barn from Beam Barns, LLC and Christopher Willman, will be built 75 feet from the old barn. In charge of that are two fine and capable craftsmen, Justin Carlson and Tim King. We have witnessed many of their previous projects and are ecstatic that they will be taking this project to completion. Although winter is upon us with several inches of snow on the ground, we are hoping that the barn raising will be far enough along that much of the indoor work can proceed yet this winter. Perhaps the Almanac is wrong about the winter which it has been twice in 75 years.
Additional winery news includes the coming wedding of cellarmaster Dave Hill, of Forty-Five North, and Katie Cunningham on November 15, 2008. Unfortunately the old barn won’t be ready for the nuptial event, but they assure us that they will re-affirm their vows in it once it meets code. But, a celebratory wine, still yet to be named, will be served for the festivities. Regardless of its infant status of four weeks, this wine is a pinot noir blush that Shawn and David assure me is a special wine of the season.
Prost and Salute!
Patty Wilson
November 15, 2008 at 7:55 am
My husband and I visited your tasting room and loved every wine we tasted. He was very fond of your 45 North chardonnay. I wanted to surprise him with a case of the wine (his birthday is Dec. 19) but do not see any place on your website that allows for ordering. Is this true!!!! Can you feel my sadness! Let me know if I can order from you (to be sent to Indiana). THANKS.
Patty Wilson
Bill Blaida
November 20, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Congrats to David & Katie. Saw him today and he was a happy guy.
Barn raisings are fun. Let me know the date. I saw one in PA in Amish country 40 years ago.
Lynn in MadCity
December 1, 2008 at 11:42 am
The 45North Riesling, a gift we enjoyed with family and guests over Thanksgiving earned high praise for its spirit and drinkability. The Pacific Rim awards and acclaim were well-deserved. Please let me know how I can purchase more?
Thank you.
doug
December 5, 2008 at 7:00 pm
the flavor of 2007 pinot gris is the best
Blake Macleod
December 24, 2008 at 10:54 am
Just received a beautiful package Sev. Cannot thank you enough; the whole family is extremely excited to taste at dinner tonight.
Hope your family is having a great holiday.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Becky Strite
December 30, 2008 at 5:40 pm
We just tasted your 2007 45 White at Hawthorne House in Blissfield, MI. We loved it from the first sip to the last drop! My husband and I agree it was the best white we had ever had.
My question is where can you buy it in this area (near Toledo) and since we are from Florida, do you ship?
Thanks and good luck!
Steve and Becky Strite
L Glotfelty
January 3, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hello! Have tried to visit your tasting room a couple of times, but no luck. We live near Detroit and are not in charge of our calendars due to work schedules. We have purchased your wine at Westborn Market in Dearborn and have enjoyed it very much, but would love to visit your tasting room, but your hours are too limited. Maybe someday we will be able to say hello — we are big Michigan wine fans.
Amy McIntire
January 3, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Hi There
We have been sipping your 45 North Late bottle Vignole, since Christmas Eve and sadly are almost out. Can we order more to be shippe to Berkley Michigan? Loved our tasting there, and hope the barn troubles work themselves out.
Randy Freeburg
January 4, 2009 at 1:11 pm
We visited your winery in late June ‘08 before your tasting room opened. We were sad that your tasting room was not ready as we had been looking forward to tasting your wines due to several reviews we had read. During a recent trip trip to our local wine supplier, we were pleased to find your Peach Cremant, Peach Apricot Mead and Chardonnay. Well done! We were particlarly fond of the 2007 Chardonnay which is one of the best Michigan wines I have tasted. We will be stocking some in our cellar and look forward to finding and tasting your other wines. At what stores can we find your wines at in Grand Rapids? or Ar you able to ship directly to buyers? Thanks and keep up the great work (read that as great wines)!