SAVE THE DATE: Traverse City to Host 2nd Annual City of Riesling (Sunday, July 26 - Monday, July 27)

What: 2nd Annual City of Riesling

Where: Traverse City, Michigan

When: Sunday, July 26, 2015 — Night of 100 Rieslings @ Clinch Park Pavilion

VIP Admission: 5-6pm | $100 per person

Includes early and complete access to the wine, food and entertainment, as well as access to visiting winemakers and sommeliers, including those items that will be available for purchase only during the main event.

General Admission: 6-10pm | $50 per person

Includes 13 tasting tickets for the Bar of 100 Rieslings, food from two stations and live entertainment, as well as access to visiting winemakers and sommeliers.

Featuring Music from The Go Rounds, from Kalamazoo. The Go Rounds are furious live act and progressive recording unit fueled by the history of its diverse lineup and collaborative spirit. Equally inspired by their record collections as the beauty of the Great Lakes State, the band explores soul music, baroque folk, art rock, country and classic rock n' roll. The four-piece will release their latest full-length record "dont go not changin" in May 2015.

Monday, July 27, 2015 — Salon Riesling @ The Franklin

An all-day symposium with sessions featuring the energy and insight of Riesling leaders from all sides of the wine trade, including curated tastings of difficult to find Rieslings from around the world.

Sessions will be held from 10:00-11:00am, 11:30am-12:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm and 4-5pm. A Rare Riesling Luncheon will take place from 12:45-2:15pm.

Cost is $50 per session; the Rare Riesling Luncheon is $100 (inclusive of tax/gratuity). Advanced registration is required, space is limited to 20 per session.

The specific session topics and presenters will be announced at the beginning of June.

History: City of Riesling is the brainchild of winemaker Sean O’Keefe of Chateau Grand Traverse and Villa Mari Vineyards; restaurateur and sommelier Amanda Danielson of Trattoria Stella and The Franklin; and wine writer and Riesling evangelist Stuart Pigott.

During its inaugural year in 2014, more than 300 people attended the festivities in Traverse City—a waterfront community recognized as the culinary capital of Michigan and the Midwest’s most active wine region, specifically for world-class Rieslings.

Why: This event features not only a diverse range of award-winning Riesling from around the world. Michigan is perfectly situated in the heart of the Great Lakes Region, which creates a cool climate environment ideal for vineyard development—especially for Riesling grapes. Combine that natural element with the talented and passionate winemakers that call this area home and you’ve crafted a winning combination. That’s why Traverse City has earned the privilege of hosting an event of this magnitude!

More Info: www.CityOfRiesling.com
www.facebook.com/CityOfRiesling
www.twitter.com/CityOfRiesling (#TCRiesling15)
www.instagram.com/CityOfRiesling

Contact: Dianna Stampfler, Promote Michigan
269-330-4228 | Dianna@PromoteMichigan.com

Record Crowds Fill DeVos Place During 7th Annual GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival

It was a banner year for attendance at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival which was held November 20-22 at DeVos Place. According to Festival organizers, attendance was up nearly 10% meaning more than 18,500 individuals gathered at the largest wine and food festival in the Midwest.

In all, more than 1400 beverages were available for sampling (wine, beer, cider, mead, spirits, coffee and other specialty drinks). Nearly 20 area restaurants participated as well as countless culinary and lifestyle related exhibitors throughout the Riverfront Marketplace and RendezBREW Café. Most of the 60-plus workshops and seminars were at or beyond capacity throughout the three-day Festival as well.

“It’s all about tasting and this year’s festival took it up a notch with diverse exhibitors offering up the very best of their products,” says Dawn Baker, Festival Manager. “It was wonderful to see the excitement grow daily as people enjoyed the variety of beverages and foods featured, then learned to pair them together. This has become a true pre-holiday celebration for West Michigan and beyond.”

“The feedback I got from my group was that they loved the better signage at the booths this year and the FSU students seems more engaged and excited, which made visiting the booths much more fun,” says Lysandra French, a long-time festival attendee. “We loved that Meijer was two tickets for a great sample of food. Also loved the lobster mac and cheese, tried a new ice cream and visited the Brewers Loft. Some in my party said that the offerings were AMAZING. Kudos, this Festival get better and better every single year!”

EXHIBITOR COMMENTS:

“This year’s Wine, Beer, & Food Festival surpassed my expectations. We were ecstatic to see so many of our customers and potential customers come to look at innovation in a whole new light. Putting on a seminar to show the ways you can pair your favorite ice cream with beer and liquor was an eye opener for the audience—taking ‘thinking outside the box’ to a whole new level. The same customer who knows what it’s like to enjoy a premium craft beer made here in Michigan is the same customer who enjoys Hudsonville Ice Cream—small-batch crafted by our in-house artisans. We’ll definitely be back next year!” — Ray Sierengowski Hudsonville Ice Cream, Holland.

“Great show this weekend. We had a fun time and sold out of everything!” — Scott Hartmann, Two Scotts Barbecue, Grand Rapids.

"This being our first year at the festival gave us, as a new company, great exposure to consumers in a lot of different markets. The seminars acted as a great outlet for education as well. Both seminars we presented gave us access to over 50 people to share our brand and our story with. Over all a very well run festival."— Mark Fellwock, Coppercraft Distillery, Holland.

“AGA Marvel had a very exciting and engaging experience at this year’s show! We were very pleased at the reception of our new products. The Festival was the perfect platform to showcase the pride we take in manufacturing locally in Greenville, Michigan. AGA Marvel looks forward to another dynamic opportunity in 2015!” — Diane Devereaux, AGA Brand Manager, Greenville.

"We have always enjoyed participating in the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival, but were particularly impressed with how many new faces we encountered at the 2014 show. We loved the opportunity to share our food with so many new people, and to show the community what we have to offer." — Christian Madsen, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Grand Rapids

“We enjoyed meeting many of our fans - it has almost become an annual tradition. The really enjoyable part however was connecting with attendees that we had not met before. The Fest is one of the best opportunities we have to both educate our customers and to learn more ourselves.” — Don Coe, Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay

“Event marketing at its best. We were able to meet hundreds of new customers and visit with all of our loyal ones.” — Aaron Harr, Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville.

7th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Fest Returns to DeVos Place, Nov 20-22

WHAT: 7th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 20 (5-10pm) | Friday, Nov. 21 (4pm-10pm) | Saturday, Nov. 22 (Noon-10pm)

WHERE: DeVos Place, Downtown Grand Rapids. With over 80,000 square feet (nearly 2 acres) inside the elegant Steelcase Ballroom, portions of the Grand Gallery, Riverfront Overlook and the 3rd floor.

COST: $15 – Thursday (and advanced ticket sales for Friday & Saturday); $20 – Friday & Saturday.

3-Day Pass – At $40, this option allows admission each day of the Festival and is intended for those who want to get the most out of their tasting experience. Online sales end Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5pm (Box Office sales for the pass end at 10pm on Thursday, Nov. 20).

All food and beverage samples require varied amounts of sampling tickets of 50-cent denominations (sold at the Festival). We suggest guests start with at least $20 worth of tasting tickets.

WHO: This cultural event draws more than 17,000 public and trade attendees and is the largest culinary celebration in the state (and one of the premiere festivals of its kind in the Midwest). Catering to both the connoisseur who appreciates the finest things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the culinary world, this festival delivers a grand experience that is sure to please every palette and kick off the holiday season.

NEW: RendezBREW – This rebranded expanded Coffee, Cordials and Dessert Café will be open in the Grand Gallery for the duration of the Festival. Start your Festival experience, or make it a nightcap, with unique pairings of coffee, lattes and cocktails crafted for your enjoyment with a variety of cordials, indulgent sweets and other treats.

NEW: Mobile App – Available in both the Android and Apple systems, this free app allows guests to peruse beverage lists (including notes, ratings and personalized lists), workshops/seminars, restaurant menus and also purchase admission and Pairing tickets. Download it now and plan your visit, as well as use it to navigate the Festival.

INFO: Over one hundred wineries from around the world provide samples of as many as 1200 assorted wines – including some hard to find, top shelf vintages. Also find many award-winning Michigan wines for tasting.

An increased number of distilleries, including many from Michigan, will also be showcased.

The 3rd floor Brewer’s Loft returns, showcasing beer from around Michigan, as well as national labels and imports providing tastes of their hand-crafted beverages – along with food pairings and entertainment.

The Cider House features cideries from throughout Michigan, as well as many nationally-known brands, in the Welsh Lobby on the south end of the Steelcase Ballroom.

PAIRINGS:
Take part in two special seatings (7pm Friday and Saturday) where Grower’s selections from the Champagne region of France are paired with selected cheeses, charcuterie and other small bites. Cost is $40 per person and space is limited. Reservations may be made online, or on site – space permitting.

Select restaurants partner with distinguished wineries and breweries for special Pairings – gourmet multi-course meals served on-site in a casual yet intimate “bar top” setting. Tickets are $35-$45 each and may be purchased in advance online or at the Festival on a first-come, first-served basis.

ULTIMATE DINING OPPORTUNTIES:
Additionally, chefs from the more than a dozen of the area’s top restaurants prepare and serve small plates of their culinary specialties.

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS:
Esteemed individuals from the culinary world host demonstrations on the Meijer Food Stage. Free beverage seminars, held classroom-style in the rooms off the Grand Gallery and near the 3rd floor Brewer’s Loft, give attendees an in-depth look into the world of wine, beer and spirits. Food workshops are also offered for a unique hands-on experience.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING:
Shop the Riverfront Market for gourmet food, specialty items, wine accessories and holiday gifts including chocolates, pastas, cheeses, oils, olives, sauces, mixes, dips and more. Cash and carry or order for easy delivery.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM:
Culinary and hospitality students from Ferris State University, the Culinary Institute of Michigan at Baker College in Muskegon, the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University work alongside industry leaders for a premier educational experience.

INFO: GRWineFestival.com | Facebook.com/GRWineFestival | @GRWineFestival (#GRWineFest14)

*Attendance at this festival is for those 21 years of age and older. ID is required for admittance.*

Global Wine Pavilion Attracts Prestigious Wine Importers to National Cherry Festival

The National Cherry Festival will offer wine lovers of all levels an unsurpassed wine experience on the beautiful, tree-studded former Clinch Park Zoo property in downtown Traverse City. The three night event, Thursday, July 9; Friday, July 10; and Saturday, July 11 will feature a superb collection of over 90 wines selected by Master Sommelier Ron Edwards of Charlevoix, Michigan.

The Pavilion will showcase award-winning local, domestic, and international wines covering all major grape varieties and price ranges. In addition, 15 acclaimed craft-brewed international beers will appeal to the hops lover.

“This bay side Festival venue will offer the opportunity for wine, beer, and food enthusiasts to enjoy and learn about many award winning wines including several that are produced right here in northern Michigan”, noted Tim Hinkley, National Cherry Festival Executive Director.

Edwards will scour through thousands of wines available through many of the world’s most prestigious importers including J et R Selections, Small Vineyards Imports, Broadbent Selections, Classical Wines of Spain, Vine Connections, Select Fine Wines, Terra Andina, Peerless Imports, Grape Moments, Midwest Wine Exchange, and others, all of which specialize in small family-run wineries in emerging regions, leading to a select portfolio of 96 labels chosen for their uniqueness, varietal character, value, and overall quality.

To further enhance this exciting event, guests will receive a crystal wine glass manufactured by Stolzle, recognized as Europe’s leading designer of “pulled stem” glassware. The nominal $10 entrance fee will also include a free pour of the night’s featured wine. Fifteen select craft-brewed beers, both European and domestic, imported by Merchant du Vin and Euro Brews will also be available onsite, in addition to Michigan’s Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, recently named by Beer Advocate magazine as the 9th best brewery in the United States.

Complementing the collection of wines, the ‘Global Wine Pavilion’ will feature several tables of appetizers, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and other alfresco-style foods hand-prepared by chefs from The Cook’s House, Red Ginger, Trattoria Stella, and Amical, Traverse City’s most high profile and respected restaurants.

The Pavilion will be trimmed with white linen, lanterns, softly lit trees, and energizing music – all the elements needed to create an hip, sophisticated courtyard setting, just two minutes walking distance from the bustle of the National Cherry Festival’s Open Space attractions.

The ‘Global Wine Pavilion’ is produced by Matt Sutherland, co-founder of the Epicurean Classic, one of the nation’s premier food, wine, and cookbook events drawing thousands of food lovers annually. A long-time resident of northern Michigan, Sutherland currently writes on food, wine, restaurants, and cookbooks for three regional and national magazines, in addition to his show management responsibilities.

Tickets for the ‘Global Wine Pavilion’ maybe purchased in advance by visiting cherryfestival.org or by calling (231) 947-4230. The $10 tickets will also be available at the event.