Suttons Bay, MICH. (Nov. 4, 2024) – Shady Lane Cellars’ Executive Winemaker Kasey Wierzba and Assistant Winemaker Maddie McCandless have long demonstrated a true appreciation for the region. It shines throughout the sustainable wines they create.
So, it’s no surprise that Northern Michigan’s natural beauty would be openly celebrated – front and center – in their latest wine series. Shady Lane Cellars has just debuted its Great Lakes Wine Series, with sips inspired by an adventurous spirit, majestic forest and those magical last moments before the sun sinks into horizon over Lake Michigan.
McCandless created original labels and designed a look to match. She and Wierzba had always wanted to release a Michigan-inspired wine series. Now, it’s a reality.
“This series pays tribute to the beautiful region we live in,” said Wierzba. “It’s shaped by lakes, forests and adventurous people.”
The limited Shady Lane Cellars series includes three wines:
- 2023 Pathfinder Pét-Nat – a blend of Muscat and Vignoles, this natural wine accentuates tropical fruits like guava and pineapple. It’s lively, expressive and bright.
Wierzba described it as a “farmer’s Champaign.” Pét-nats are made using an ancestral method that pre-dates Champagne. These natural sparkling wines experience a second fermentation in the bottle.- Pair it with creamy risotto and pasta dishes.
- 2023 Golden Hour – made from a cold soak process in which Pinot Gris grapes sit in the press for 12 hours. Their skins have extended contact with the juice before it is pressed. This allows a deeper, richer flavor to emerge. Golden Hour has aromas of wild strawberries, field flowers and melon.
Wierzba calls it a true reminder of that magical moment before sunset, Golden Hour.- Pair this with brown sugar glazed salmon, lemon herb chicken or Indian curry.
- 2022 Hartwick Red – Named for the region’s own Hartwick Pines forest, this wine is a blend of 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Cabernet Franc. It’s rich fruit with earthy tones are reminiscent of an old-world wine much like the old wood forests that surround the area. Barrel aging for 20 months in neutral French oak allows the fruit to lead the aromatics and flavors here. Expressions of dried cherry, espresso and earthy truffle create a rich red wine.
- This is the perfect steak wine.
The Great Lakes Series is available in the tasting room now. It makes a perfect holiday gift for all those who celebrate the very best of Michigan.
ABOUT SHADY LANE CELLARS
Shady Lane Cellars produces one of the largest percentages of estate-grown wine in its region. Offering hilltop views of the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, the winery and its staff create a comfortable approach to wine. The winery was founded in 1999. Since 2017 all Shady Lane Cellars wines are 100 percent estate-grown. In 2020, Shady Lane Cellars’ vineyard earned Sustainability in Practice – or SIP Certified – status. Hours are Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
