Located directly on the 45th parallel, we use our distinct location as the driving force behind our approach to crafting world class wines that represent the region. Using grapes from estate and regional vineyards, everything is handcrafted on-site with the goal of producing the most approachable, elegant wines possible.
The winery began in 2006 when late Steven and Lori Grossnickle purchased a centennial farm on Michigan’s picturesque Leelanau Peninsula. Having owned a vacation cottage on nearby Little Traverse Lake since 1982, Steve, a former ophthalmologist from Indiana, and Lori had developed a real passion for Leelanau county and the growing local wine scene. The property sits in the middle of the peninsula among the rolling hills and offers a spectacular view of the pristine countryside. Soon after purchasing the land, they began working with the Leelanau Conservancyto donate a conservation easement on the land that restricts it from development and keeps the land in farming forever. Steve says his love for the peninsula is what inspired him to permanently protect the 100-acre farm:
“Leelanau is beyond spectacular. It should remain pristine, as it is.”
With a strong commitment to sustainable farming practices, the winery actively farms 35 acres of several varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. The magic happens in the vineyard, as they say, but the finishing touches take place in the on-site production building where the grapes are crushed, refined, aged, bottled, and labeled. It’s truly a vineyard-to-bottle operation.
45 North continues to be family owned and operated, keeping Steve’s dream alive. It was the winery, Leelanau’s pure beauty, and family that drew the entire family to plant permanent roots in Northern Michigan. Eric & Alanna moving from San Francisco, Brian, Hildy, Mica, & Kati moving from Albuquerque, and Steve, Lori, and Katie moving from Indiana. The winery continues to thrive as we pour our love into this adventure, and we hope it shows.
Cheers to the good times!
—The Grossnickle Family
Our Team
Dedicated to the Craft
Alanna Grossnickle
Director of Operations
Alanna is a Purdue University graduate with 25+ years in hospitality and 18 years experience in the wine industry. She wears many hats in our small family business. Find her in the tasting room welcoming guests, in the kitchen preparing for events, or behind-the-scenes working diligently on the daily operations and keeping future plans on track. In addition to maintaining the operations, she also started the wine club in 2011, plans menus for events and prepares appetizers for hundreds of LPVA attendees, and has a lot of fun buying for all of the retail merchandise for the tasting room. She plays an active role with the LPVA and chaired the LPVA board for 11 years. And was a founding board member of the Traverse Wine Coast. She is married to Eric Grossnickle, designer and creative director for the winery. She enjoys spending free time outdoors with her husband and two girls, Maren & Wynne.
Jay Briggs
Winemaker
Jay’s exuberant and positive attitude keep the vibe in the winery light, bright, and fun! He’s talent speaks for itself through the wines. Many of his wines have earned high ratings and medals at numerous international wine competitions. He studied enology and viticulture at MSU and has been with us since 2012. When Jay isn’t at the winery find him with his wife Coryn, cheering on their daughters Lily & Irena. He also enjoys all things wine, biking, cooking, and raw denim.
Eric Grossnickle
Designer
Eric is responsible for all design-related aspects of 45 North. From Creating our logo, designing labels, ads, brochures, this website, and more. By day, he works remotely as a web designer/developer for Bust Out in Minneapolis. When he’s not working his day job or moonlighting for the winery find him heading to the beach with Alanna, and their two girls, Maren & Wynne.
Our History
Award-Winning Since ’07
Purchased Centennial Farm
Formerly owned by local civil rights attorney, Dean Robb, the 100-acre property features rolling hills, wooded areas, a pond, and, of course, plenty of wide open farmland.
Broke Ground on Production Building
Our state-of-the-art production building was designed to accommodate a 20,000 case/year production schedule.
Planted 30-Acre Vineyard
The following spring, we went to work putting the posts and vines in the ground. We planted Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.
Production Building Complete
First Vintage
While our own vineyard wouldn't fully produce for 3-4 years from initial planting, we purchased grapes from local growers for our first several vintages. Our 2007 vintage garnered several medals in national competitions which got us out of the gate at a full sprint.
Open for Tasting in Production Building
Since we didn't have a tasting room at this point, we opened a temporary tasting area in the production building on weekends. Although not an ideal space, being amongst the tanks really added to the overall tasting experience.
Break Ground on Tasting Room
The reconstructed red barn on the property was originally supposed to be the tasting room, but due to unforeseen issues, we had to go to plan B. So we broke ground on a new post-and-beam barn with much of the same rustic character, but better suited to fit our needs.
Channing Joins the Team
Channing's bubbly personality and love for Michigan wine is undeniable. Her fun attitude has helped set the tone for all 45 North staff.
Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Trails Created
Winters up north can sometimes feel a little long, but that doesn't mean we stop having fun! We began grooming trails through our vineyard and they've been gaining popularity every year.
Alanna Joins the Team
Alanna and Eric's time in Leelanau was originally meant to be a summer layover during their trek from San Francisco to Chicago, but the allure of being involved in a family business in a beautiful area turned out to be too strong.
Tasting Room Officially Opens
Bocce Ball Courts & Firepit Constructed
We encourage our visitors to stick around, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere; during the warmer months, that usually means outside. Just off our deck, we constructed two bocce ball courts that are free-to-play and a firepit that allows us to enjoy the outdoors year-round.
First Full Harvest From Estate Vineyard
Our first full harvest from our own vineyard allows us to begin producing some 100% estate-grown wines.
Jay Joins the Team
Jay formerly worked for eight years as a vineyard manager and was ready to make the transition into winemaking. His passion and dedication was immediately clear to us, so we jumped at the opportunity to give him that chance.
Best Growing Season on Record
Everyone around here remembers the summer of '12 — it was long, hot, and resulted in one of the best seasons on record which turned out some of our best wines so far.
Brian Joins the Team
Formerly a skilled potter living in New Mexico, Brian and his family moved to the area and he has taken on the role of vineyard manager.
Concrete Egg Tank Arrives
This unique fermentation vessel provides alternative qualities compared to traditional stainless steel and oak, such as breathability and insulation. Our first wine made in it—2013 Pinot Gris—racked up 3 double gold medals at national competitions.
Mountain Bike Trail Developed
What happens when employees are cycling nuts? They blaze a trail through the property, of course. With help from the non-profit organization, SEEDS, our trail is now IMBA-certified and we'll be hosting our first event on Sep. 13, 2015 called the 45 Barrel Roll.
Planted 500 Apple Trees
In an effort to expand our hard cider production, we've carved out a section of the property and planted high-density apple trees. Although we've always used local apples in our ciders, in a few years we'll able to make estate-grown ciders.
45 Barrel Roll
The inaugural bike race event held on our own mountain bike trail. The afterparty featured live music, barbecue, and special barrel-aged cider crafted specifically for the event. Check out more photos from the event.
Vineyard Pergola Constructed
Set in the middle of the vineyard, our vineyard pergola is a picturesque location for weddings, dinners, and special events.
