Chateau Chantal Announces Sixth Annual Ice Wine Harvest Festival
January 8, 2024
Contact:
Kyle Brownley
231-223-4110
kbrownley@chateauchantal.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chateau Chantal Announces Sixth Annual Ice Wine Harvest Festival
January 8, 2024 Traverse City, MI: Building on 30 years of ice wine making and hospitality expertise, Chateau Chantal will host its annual Michigan Ice Wine Harvest Festival January 27, 2024.
Known as the "Nectar of the Gods," Ice wine is made from grapes frozen on the vine. Harvested during temperatures between 15 to 18 degrees F, the grapes are pressed while still frozen. Harvest has not yet occurred this year, so the grapes are still on the vine, awaiting the right temperatures, which we hope to see by mid-January.
The wine is known for its incredible natural sweetness and fruitiness, with all the delicate characters of a fine Riesling wine. Decadent apricot, toasted caramel, and baked apple drench your palate with balanced sweetness in this stunning dessert wine. As a testament to the winery’s quality winemaking, Chateau Chantal was chosen among nine American Ice Wines to represent our nation at a Canadian state dinner at the White House in 2016.
In celebration of this remarkable wine, festival events will range from family friendly snowman building and ice sculptures to outdoor fire pits with roasted treats. The winery's walking trail will be open for snowshoeing or skiing. Bring your own snow gear to experience winter in the vineyard. The festival will culminate with a multi-course Ice Wine education dinner on Saturday, including a tour of the cellar and winemaking process. Samples of multiple Ice Wines and pairing will be on hand all weekend.
Entrance to the festival is free, with a fee to sample wines and attend the wine dinner. Ice Wine is a must-try experience that represents one of the most unique abilities of our Northern wine growing climate, something our famed California wineries to the West cannot produce! The winery has held back selections from previous Ice Wine vintages to showcase the wines. Options include Estate White Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc Red Ice Wine, Vidal Ice Wine and Entice Ice Wine with Brandy.
Saturday, January 27: 11am-5pm: Tasting Room open for wine and ice wine tasting – including an ice sculpture luge. Outdoor firepits and S’mores kits, Founder’s Trail open for Snowshoeing and Cross-country skiing (bring your own gear).
Ice Wine Festival Activities: no reservation needed
• Ice Wine vineyard tour at 1pm (dress warm)
• Earn special wine discounts by testing your snowball accuracy
• Ice wine production and cellar tour at 3pm (indoors)
• Outdoor fire pits and s'more kits; specialty spiked hot cocoa drinks available
• Explore the Founder's Trail (bring your snowshoes)
Sat Jan 27: 6:00PM Fire & Ice Wine Pairing Dinner: Each course of the dinner will pair synergistically with a wine hand-selected by our vintner. Satiate your palate with dishes paired harmoniously with all three of our Ice wine products: Vidal Ice wine, Entice (our port-style ice wine), and our “liquid gold” Estate bottled Ice Wine. Other wines will also be featured during the dinner to deliver an experience that is unmatched.
Dinner is currently sold out, but a wait list is being held. Email wine@chateauchantal.com to be added to the list!
Details for all items at https://www.chateauchantal.com/ice-wine-festival/
###
Chateau Chantal is a unique development that combines a winery, vineyards, bed and breakfast, residence, six private home sites, and winding roads, all of which combine to create a “retreat into Northern Hospitality.” The 75 acre site sits high atop a ridge 12 miles north of Traverse City, Michigan on the beautiful and historic Old Mission Peninsula. Chateau Chantal crafts many styles of wine, allowing the grape to dictate the style. The location’s unparalleled views and outstanding staff play host to B&B activities, cooking classes, wine education opportunities, Lunch Tours, conferences and meetings, small weddings, and friendly regional wine events.
Marie-Chantal Dalese
President & CEO
Chateau Chantal
15900 Rue de Vin
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-223-4110 Ext. 140
mcdalese@chateauchantal.com