Harvest Stompede through Leelanau vineyards
From staff reports
The vineyards are lush, and the grapes are plumping up in preparation of the upcoming harvest. And, to celebrate, folks are gearing up for the annual Harvest Stompede held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7.
Kicking-off the weekend festivities is an optional walk or run through the vineyards starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Ciccone Vineyard & Winery in Suttons Bay. A unique course between rows of grapevines of multiple vineyards offers an experience like no other for runners, walkers and spectators alike. The race is designed for both serious and recreational runners and walkers with options for a 5K walk, 5K run or 7-mile run.
“It’s our favorite event of the year,” shares Tony Ciccone of Ciccone Vineyard & Winery. “It’s exciting to see all those people race through the vineyards in celebration of the new vintage.”
Immediately following the race, 23 participating wineries are offering a featured wine and food pairing prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The weekend menu will be available at LPwines.com/harvest prior to the event.
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 for the Harvest Stompede wine tour are $40 per person and typically sell out early. Get tickets and lodging package options 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/98170.
The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association (LPVA) is a member-driven, winery association founded in 1998. The mission of the LPVA is to spread the word about all the good things happening along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. The trail is divided into three mini-trails for easy touring: the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop.
The Leelanau Peninsula AVA is home to 25 wineries located within diverse microclimates uniquely suited for a variety of wine grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed varietals are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. The local wines continue to achieve national and international accolades with each passing vintage. For more information, visit LPwines.com.
