04/28/2007

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Bryan Ulbrich, a local winemaker, stands in his new winery, Left Foot Charley, at the Grand Traverse Commons.

Vintners spread word through the grapevine

Summit planned to promote area wines

By Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Bryan Ulbrich remembers when convincing people to sip northern Michigan wines was an uphill battle.

Ulbrich, a veteran vintner on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, saw all that change in the last 10 years. Today, the region's wineries are among 45 statewide that attract more than 700,000 visitors annually.

"That attitude shift has made all the difference in the world,” he said. "Everyone really likes the regional qualities of this area. Wine is nothing but local flavor.”

Still, some local wine enthusiasts are missing what's being produced in their own backyard, Ulbrich said. He is among 15 winemakers who will try to change that at the inaugural Northern Michigan Wine Summit on Monday at the City Opera House in Traverse City.

The event is a cooperative effort of wineries on the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. The goal is to spread the word about the northern Michigan wine region to leaders in tourism, the retail and restaurant industry and the media.

Kristin Karam, event manager at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, said the event was organized around the idea that people like bartenders and waitstaff can be some of the most effective ambassadors for local wines.

The event is not open to the general public, but Karam said organizers hope it will create enough buzz to get locals talking about — and tasting — more northern Michigan wines.

"We thought it's time to show the locals what we're made of again,” she said.

A roundtable discussion in the morning will showcase the impact and quality of the region's wines. Panel members include Melinda Remer, marketing director for Travel Michigan; Eric Villegas, host of the Michigan-based television food show "Fork in the Road;” Claudia Tyagi, a master sommelier; Kim Schneider, travel writer for Booth Newspapers; and Sandra Silfven, wine writer for the Detroit News. Dianna Stampfler, president of Promote Michigan, will serve as moderator.

The discussion also will feature wine tastings, with winemakers on hand to present their selections. An afternoon session will offer a "wine festival” open to media, tourism and trade employees.

Ulbrich is preparing to open Left Foot Charley, a new winery that will be located at the old state hospital grounds in Traverse City. He said events like the summit help get the word out about new offerings like his.

"My goal is to try to get our wines into more of the local shops, homes and restaurants,” he said. "This is a good way to reach the professionals and let them hear it as well.”