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October 13, 2003OLD MISSION: Winery extends an olive branchByRecord-Eagle staff writer OLD MISSION - All summer long, Chateau Chantal has been busy with tourists and other visitors. But on Sunday, the winery/bed-and-breakfast took some time out for a group that may have been feeling neglected lately: its neighbors. For three hours Sunday afternoon, residents of the Old Mission Peninsula were invited to a no-doors-locked tour of the newly expanded winery and its luxurious lodging facilities - complete with a complimentary "champagne toast" with owners Robert and Nadine Begin in their private quarters. "I think it's a wonderful place, and I'm glad to see us taking some pride in our wine country and showing it off a little," said Bowers Harbor resident Lisa Kauffman, wandering through the new guest suites with her husband, Ed. Maybe it was the splendid fall weather, with views from the winery's 60-acre hilltop site that were fine enough to lure a teetotaler to the top of the Rue du Vin, or simple curiosity about the $2.5 million expansion project, finished in July, that has added 15,000 square feet to the castlelike facility. But people turned out in droves, filling the Chateau's parking area and spilling down onto the roadside below. "A lot of people have been curious about what's been going on up here lately, but in July and August we were just too busy trying to get everything spit-and-polished to invite the neighbors up," said winery manager Liz Berger. But Sunday's open house was also intended as a sort of olive branch to those Peninsula Township residents who have opposed Chateau Chantal's strategy of combining traditional agricultural activities (growing grapes and making wine) with tourist-oriented ones (lodging, weddings and parties). In the 10 years since it opened its doors, the winery has sometimes attracted strong criticism from residents who want stronger controls on commercial growth in the township. Berger said she doesn't expect that criticism to disappear, especially since the winery is seeking a zoning change that would allow it to serve food to visitors who come to Chateau Chantal for business meetings and other events. On the other hand, she added, it would be good for the community if people could learn to disagree - even on important issues - without assuming the worst about each other. There have been hurt feelings and misunderstandings on both sides, she said. "We don't consider people our enemies just because they've opposed us on one issue or another," she said. "We want to try to get all the people who live here to recognize that regardless of our disagreements we all want the same thing, which is to maintain the beauty of the peninsula." The newly expanded lodging area, which added seven suites to the bed-and-breakfast operation, certainly shows that beauty to advantage. Chateau Chantal stands on the highest ridge at the peninsula's north end, surrounded by vineyards and cherry orchards. The design of the newly finished wing gives every room an unparalleled view of the surrounding countryside and Grand Traverse Bay. "The rooms stand up to the view, too," said summer residents Dennis and Sandy Stockemer, who just bought a home in the Harbor West subdivision and want to retire here. "It's a fantastic setup." Chateau Chantal first opened its doors in the summer of 1993, with a wine-tasting room and two bed-and-breakfast units. (The new expansion brings the total number of guest rooms to 10, but the Begins still personally welcome each guest individually.) The expansion also adds a manager's apartment and a large multipurpose room and kitchen as well as an increase in winemaking capacity that will allow the winery to produce about 70,000 gallons a year, up from 30,000 now.
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