Harvest Stompede offers running, wine, food and fun
From staff reports
“Harvest is the long-awaited moment when we pluck plump, ripe fruit from the vines. The grapes are handpicked after long months of carefully tending to the vines to ensure a vintage of quality wines with the unique character for which our region is known for,” says Matt Gregory of Chateau de Leelanau and President of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. “It’s an exciting time in the winemaking process, and we invite you to celebrate with us during our Harvest Stompede event.”
The annual Harvest Stompede weekend is a fabulous time to visit Leelanau Peninsula’s wineries. Rolling hills of flourishing grapevines cover the countryside, providing a gorgeous backdrop to wine tasting fun in a two-day event that takes place Sept. 7 and 8.
Kicking-off the weekend festivities is an optional race through the vineyards at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Ciccone Vineyards in Suttons Bay. A unique course between rows of grapevines offers an experience like no other for runners, walkers and spectators. The race is designed for both serious and recreational runners and walkers, with options for a 5K walk, 5K run, or 7-mile run.
Following the race, 23 wineries each offer a special wine and food pairing that features some of the local ingredients that Leelanau is famed for. Tasting hours for the self-guided tour along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are $40 per person and are only available in advance and routinely sell out. Get tickets and lodging packages at Lpwines.com/harvest. To participate in the race, which is separate from the wine trail event, register online at Signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/91534.
