Salt of the Earth Launches 2nd Annual Michigan Wine & Beer Dinner Series

Coming off an amazing inaugural year, West Michigan’s Salt of the Earth announces its second-annual Michigan Wine & Beer Dinner Series at its downtown Fennville rustic American eatery.

“We’re excited to create a unique experience at each event, ranging from beer and barbeque, to cocktail parties, to formal dinners, where we will pit Michigan wines against global competitors,” says proprietor Mark Schrock. “Winemakers and brewers will be present at each event, along with a very special lineup of guest chefs from around the state. We invite you to come celebrate the best of Michigan food and beverage with us!”

The 2011 series will span five months, and feature three Michigan wineries and two Michigan breweries. Five courses will be served at each event, paired with the best from each producer. Many taste selections are from wine and beer maker’s personal cellars that are not always available to the public.

Each event starts at 7:00pm and reservations are required. Call 269-561-SALT (7258). Prices are per person and do not include tax & gratuity.

WYNCROFT WINES - Michigan vs. France
Guest Chef: Matthew Millar - Reserve, Grand Rapids
Wednesday, January 19
$80
Enjoy special library wines from Wyncroft Winery’s artisan winemaker Jim Lester, pitted against selected French wines. We will enjoy 2004 Wyncroft Riesling (dry), 2004 Wyncroft Chardonnay, 2005 Wyncroft Pinot Noir, 2006 Wyncroft "Shou". (Bordeaux blend), and 2008 Wyncroft Riesling, December Harvest. French selections to be announced. Salt of the Earth Executive Chef Matthew Pietsch will be joined in the kitchen by Reserve Executive Chef Matthew Millar, collaborating on a menu of French inspired dishes. This event is limited to 45 guests and will sell out. Please call soon to reserve your seat!

L. MAWBY - Sparkling Cocktail Party
Guest Chef: Jesse Hahn – Trailer Park’d (former SotE Chef de Cuisine)
Wednesday, February 9
$45
Join noted Michigan sparkling wine pioneer Larry Mawby from L. Mawby Vineyards as he presents sparkling wines from his cellars in the Leelanau Peninsula, paired with rustic canapés and shared plates from Chefs Matt & Jesse in a cocktail party style atmosphere in our bar. Learn about the process of making sparkling wines and make new friends!

SHORTS BREWING COMPANY - Northern Brew and ‘Cue
Guest Chef: Norman Valenti – Michael Symon’s Roast, Detroit
Wednesday, March 9
$45
Northwest Michigan’s Short’s Brewery pairs up unique craft beers with barbecue flavors coming out of the SotE brick oven. We are excited to offer a variety of beers not available outside of the Short’s pub in Bellaire. Chef Matt reunites with Chef Norman Valenti from Michael Symon’s Roast to cook up amazing barbecue dishes.

BRYS ESTATE - Michigan vs. South Africa
Guest Chef: TBA
Wednesday, April 20
$60
Winemaker Coenraad Stassen from Brys Estate returns to showcase his beautiful award-winning wines, and selected wines from his homeland of South Africa, paired with South African inspired culinary treats from the SotE kitchen.

BELL’S BREWERY - Rustic Eccentric v2
Guest Chef: Joel Wabeke – Six One Six, Grand Rapids
Wednesday, May 11
$50
Michigan craft brewing pioneer Larry Bell presents outstanding craft beer from Bell’s Brewery with an “anything goes” eccentric menu to honor Bell’s eccentric café. Chef Matt and Chef Joel will be focusing on local spring flavors as they pair dishes with Bell’s outstanding beers.

Salt of the Earth is a rustic American eatery and bakery, tucked away in a historic building in quaint downtown Fennville – in the heart of the Southwest Michigan’s thriving agricultural region. Under the direction of Chef Matthew Pietsch (protégé of ‘Iron Chef’ Michael Symon), this full service restaurant offers a seasonal menu of made-from-scratch entrees, shared plates, wood-fired oven pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and creative desserts – using fresh ingredients, often sourced locally. Artisan bread is baked in house, served with dinner and available to take home. You’ll also find a bar stocked with an impressive selection of Michigan wines, craft beers, and spirit, alongside other domestic and international selections. Salt of the Earth is also a popular venue for local and regional musical artists, with live house concerts held every Sunday. Winter Hours: Dinner served Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 5-8:30PM, Friday & Saturday 5-10pm. Fresh baked artisan bread is available in our bakery café from 9am to noon every Friday and Saturday.

Salt of the Earth
114 East Main Street
Fennville MI 49408
269.561.SALT (7258)
www.saltoftheearthfennville.com
www.facebook.com/saltoftheearthfennville

Celebrate Spring in Bloom with The Homestead's Wine Tour Weekend (May 14-16)

There’s no better way to welcome spring to Northern Michigan than with a tour of the award-winning wineries of Leelanau Peninsula. The Homestead Resort’s annual “Spring in Bloom Wine Tour Weekend,” May 14-16, this year will visit three wineries on the east coast of the peninsula: Chateau de Leelanau, L. Mawby Vineyards and Shady Lane Cellars.

The package includes two nights’ lodging (in Fiddler’s Pond, Little Belle or The Inn), continental breakfast each morning, and a tasting tour of the three Leelanau Peninsula wineries on Saturday – with transportation and to-go lunch. On Saturday evening, guests will enjoy an exquisite five-course winemaker dinner – featuring local wines – prepared by The Homestead’s Executive Chef, John Piombo. Packages start at $238 per couple, per night.

The Leelanau Peninsula, flanked by Lake Michigan to the west and Grand Traverse Bay to the east, is an ideal grape-growing region – one of four federally recognized American Viticultural Areas in Michigan. The waters of Lake Michigan help with the warming and cooling of the land – a “lake effect” that pairs well with the area’s placement along the 45th Parallel to create a “cool climate” region like no other. Throw in the rolling hills, sprawling vineyards and orchards and quaint charm, and you have the premier scenic destination.

The wineries, all located in Suttons Bay, include:

• Chateau de Leelanau – Experience the fresh allure of Leelanau Peninsula estate wine, handcrafted for your enjoyment – where a love for the vines, a desire to let the grapes speak for themselves and a passion for expressing over a dozen styles of wines, makes this the perfect place to experience award-winning vintages of cold-climate varietals. (www.chateaudeleelanau.com)

• L. Mawby – The first vines were planted here in the spring of 1973. The emphasis is on sparkling wines, both methode champenoise and cuve close. The current annual production is about 8,000 cases, and the winemaking style remains pure – small lots, made with minimal handling. (www.lmawby.com)

• Shady Lane Cellars – Located on a historic 150-acre farm between Traverse City and Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula and strategically situated to benefit from the meso climate created by Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, this is a prime vineyard site. (www.shadylanecellars.com)

The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community, located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – a unit of the National Park Service. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100. Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehomesteadmi.