Aurora Cellars

Bay Theatre hosts special wine weekend featuring pairings of food, wine, films

In celebration of Michigan Wine Month, the nonprofit Bay Community Theatre in Suttons Bay is hosting a special wine weekend May 15-17 in partnership with local wineries offering “perfect pairings” of wine tastings, delicious bites, and decadent films. Wine Weekend kicks off on Friday, May 15, with a 6 pm wine tasting and food bites mindfully paired by Simpson Family Estates — home to Good Harbor Vineyards, Aurora Cellars, Michigan by the Bottle, and Harbor Hill. A 7 pm screening will follow of Widow Clicquot, the riveting dramatized story of the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and business.

May 13, 2026/by editor

Michigan By The Bottle expands local wine downstate

Business Feature

Taylor and Sam Simpson know wine. They were brought up in the business, and today Simpson Family Estates includes Aurora Cellars, Good Harbor Vineyards and Harbor Hill Fruit Farms. So, too, do Geoff Hamelin and his parents Paul and Marty Hamelin, who have owned and run Verterra Winery since 2007. Now the two families have teamed up to showcase not only their wines but those of more than a dozen other wineries from across the state. They have purchased Michigan By The Bottle. The tasting rooms in the metro Detroit area offer patrons the chance to try wines from all around Michigan. “The mission is to bring Michigan wines to more consumers,” says Taylor. “It’s not limited to the Leelanau Peninsula. It’s all AVAs.”

August 8, 2025/by editor

Miriam Pico’s joy in music

Local Personality

If it seems like Miriam Pico has been performing around the area for a few years, you’re right. But you may be surprised to learn it’s been nearly two decades. Pico is at least. “Next year is the 20th anniversary … of my first album,” she says, almost wonderingly. “It’s a big deal. That’s when I considered myself to be a professional, with no other job.” That may not be entirely accurate, as she’s worked in numerous settings or jobs over the past two decades. But they’ve all had music at the forefront. From a longstanding duo with pianist David Chown to current work with her husband, guitarist Ryan Younce, her child-focused “Mindful + Musical with Miriam Pico” and solo shows, she’s made music her life. “I’ve been able to make a living. I’m thankful. It’s not easy,” she says.

June 28, 2024/by editor

Experience Leelanau wines

Business Feature, Upcoming Event

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is where stunning landscape and natural splendor meets exquisite wine making. “Experience Leelanau” is the Wine Trail’s new signature event, May 19-21—a celebration honoring ‘Michigan Wine Month’ and everything that makes our region special. Click here for information and to get your tickets.