Old Mission Peninsula AVA

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Old Mission Peninsula AVA (Wine Region)
Appellation type American Viticultural Area
Year established 1987[1]
Country USA
Part of Michigan
Total area 19,200 acres (7,770 ha)[2]
Grapes produced Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling[3]
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Old Mission Peninsula (Michigan)
Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Peninsula (Michigan)

The Old Mission Peninsula AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Grand Traverse County, Michigan known for its fine Michigan wine. The Old Mission Peninsula extends northward from Traverse City into the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, ending at Old Mission Point. The peninsula is 19 miles (31 km) long by 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point. The climate on the peninsula is moderated by the surrounding waters, helping to prevent frost during the growing season. Grape varietals suitable to cool climates, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot do best in the Old Mission Peninsula AVA.[3]

The peninsula has extensive cherry orchards and vineyards. There are seven vineyards, but only five have tasting rooms. Because of the remoteness of the peninsula, wine tours take some planning.[4]

[edit] Recurrent events

  • On Saturday, the second weekend in May, Leelanau County hosts a Cherry Blossom Tour with free bus rides to orchards.
  • The Wineries of Old Mission host their annual Blossom Days the third weekend in May.[5]
  • A calendar of other events is available.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.114 Old Mission Peninsula." Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Feb. 4, 2008.
  2. ^ Wine Institute, The (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State". Retrieved Feb. 4, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Appellation America (2007). "Old Mission Peninsula (AVA): Appellation Description". Retrieved Feb. 4, 2008.
  4. ^ Silfven, Sandra, Old Mission makes wine touring easy up north, The Wine Report, Detroit News.
  5. ^ Michigan in Pictures, Cherry Blossom Time.
  6. ^ Old Mission Peninsula wineries calendar.
A winery on the Old Mission Peninsula
A winery on the Old Mission Peninsula
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