2020 Winery Information Guide

2020 Winery Information Guide CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE • WINERY • VINEYARDS • INN • OLD MISSION PENINSULA (800) 283.0247 • 12239 CENTER RD, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 • F: (231) 223.4105 • CGTWINES.COM QUOTES TO NOTE “Anyone who has spent time in Michigan knows the words “lake effect” are usually followed by “snow.” But on the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Lake Michigan moderates the climate and allows cool-climate white-grape varieties such as Riesling and pinot blanc to thrive. Chateau Grand Traverse is the region’s leading producer. The Whole Cluster Riesling is slightly off-dry though definitely not sweet, showing excellent fruit and texture.” —Washington Post “This might seem to be the last place to look for remarkable Rieslings, but since 1998 Sean O’Keefe has pushed the development of this medium-dry wine ahead at a pace not seen in America since the Apollo space program of the 1960s. The fennel and anise notes add complexity to the apple and pear fruit (in warm years, like 2012, there are also some exotic fruits). If you wonder what the mineral taste in wine really is, then try this and look out for the salty note in the aftertaste.” —LA Times “This is great stuff. This is world-class wine.” —Dan Berger, Noted Wine Author & Columnist “To my mind – and I was by no means alone in my enthusiasm – the most interesting wine by far, a wine I thought might be a wild-fermented dry German, was Chateau Grand Traverse, Lot 49 2010 Old Mission Peninsula, a relatively new addition to the range of wines made by this energetic Riesling specialist of the Old Mission Peninsula, an 18-mile spit of land projecting into Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan that moderates the climate up here in what is almost Canada.” —Jancis Robinson, British Wine Critic & Journalist, JancisRobinson.com “All vintages of Chateau Grand Traverse Late Harvest Rieslings are world class to one degree or another, but it is more difficult to make a dry style of Riesling and Chateau Grand Traverse’s Select Harvest and Whole Cluster Dry Rieslings are where the winery truly excels.” —Tom Stevenson, British Wine Writer and Editor of Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia “Chateau Grand Traverse is ground zero for Northwest Michigan’s exploding wine culture and fast becoming a benchmark for world-class Riesling.” —MyNorth, Traverse Magazine “Their red wine is beautiful. It’s black peppery, very cherry, and as people learn to discover non-California, warm-climate reds and start to appreciate the cooler climate, the nuanced reds, that’s what’s produced here.” —Grape Collective (800) 283.0247 • 12239 CENTER RD, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 • F: (231) 223.4105 • CGTWINES.COM A FAMILY TRADITION “It’s more than just a business, it’s a commitment and lifestyle that we proudly live.” Chateau Grand Traverse at its core is a family-owned and operated winery with a colorful and proud winemaking tradition. As second generation producers, we are afforded the opportunity to carry for- ward the winemaking vision and maverick spirit that our father set forth nearly 50 years ago. It’s quite humbling to recognize that our combined efforts, decision making, and personalities are reflected in each hand-crafted bottle we produce… yes, it’s personal! As growers of wine, we relish the fact that we are farmers first and make our living directly from the soil. As winemakers, we can express the fruit of our labors in a regionally unique wine product. As com- mitted stewards of the land, we also recognize the importance of the environment and our responsi- bility to provide for future generations. It’s more than just a business, it’s a commitment and lifestyle that we proudly live. It’s been said that grapes like to grow where people like to live. The Old Mission Peninsula is one of those special places in this world that affords us incredible natural beauty, abundant water and the ideal conditions for producing world-class wines. This is the place we are lucky to make our livelihoods, bring up our families, and raise a glass in thanks. Cheers, The O’Keefe Family (800) 283.0247 • 12239 CENTER RD, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 • F: (231) 223.4105 • CGTWINES.COM WINERY HISTORY “When I founded Chateau Grand Traverse in 1974, I knew that my determination to produce world-class Riesling wines in northern Michigan would create controversy, draw cynics, and ultimately revolutionize the Michigan wine industry.” -EDWARD O’KEEFE JR., Founder Chateau Grand Traverse is as much a colorful story of our founder Ed O’Keefe Jr., as it is of the winery itself. Like many mavericks in the wine industry, it was a rather indirect route that ultimately led an Irishman from Philadelphia to northern Michigan to start a winery. An Olympic gymnast (runner-up); Army Green Beret Special Forces Paratrooper; NYC Un- dercover Narcotics Agent with the U.S. Treasury Department; Nursing Home Owner & Administrator – these experiences combined with an enthusiastic passion for wine and the willingness to take on a challenge led him toward starting a winery in 1974 in northern Michigan where none existed. In the early 1970’s, most of the established Michigan wineries were located in the southwest portion of the State. These producers focused primarily upon wines made from Native Labrusca as well as French-American hybrid grapes. After considerable research, O’Keefe was fervently convinced that wines made from European varieties were the key to trans- forming Michigan’s reputation into a fine wine State. At the time, most industry experts deemed Michigan’s climate too cold and harsh to commercially grow and sustain these more tender varieties. Working under the guidance of Dr. Helmut Becker from the Geisenheim Oeologogical and Viticutural school in then, West Germany industry, it was discovered that the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City could potentially afford the right conditions for growing European grape varieties. Key growing factors such as temperature, sunlight exposure, air and water drainage, and ample precipitation were critically important to insure wines of distinction. These conditions, combined with the moderating effects of the deep waters of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, would hopefully insure success. Ed purchased a tired 55-acre cherry orchard on Old Mission Peninsula to plant his first vineyard. After significant preparation and contouring of the land, an initial 45 acres of European Vinifera varieties of grapes (Ries- ling, Chardonnay and Merlot) were planted. This not only marked the first commercial vineyard in northern Michigan, it was also the first large-scale planting of European Vinifera grapes in the state of Michigan. Within a matter of just a few years, Chateau Grand Traverse wines were winning awards and gaining notice among many wine critics and customers. Chateau Grand Traverse presently focuses its emphasis on 12 key European Vinifera grape varietals including: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat Ottenel, Gamay Noir, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Cabernet Franc. With 122 acres of Estate vineyards as well as an additional 80 acres contracted with area growers, the winery’s production and distribution has grown dramatically since the early days. The winery is still family-owned and operated and continues to focus upon quality, consistency and environmental sustainability. Today, the Northern Michigan wine industry boasts of nearly 30 commercial wineries. Almost all area producers are focused upon the European varieties and garnering awards at some of the worlds most prestigious wine competitions. What was once referred to as “O’Keefe’s folly” by many early critics is now a successful industry and a highpoint to the economy of the State of Michigan. (800) 283.0247 • 12239 CENTER RD, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 • F: (231) 223.4105 • CGTWINES.COM HISTORICAL TIMELINE 1969-1972 1982 1993 Ed O’Keefe Jr. travels to Europe with Bill Winery experiences difficult financial New winery logo Krauser to survey wine industry situation during recession developed and Starts European Wine Import Company First Vintage of Dry Riesling produced implemented. Wines begin to 1983 sell in Japan (500 cases per yr.) 1973 Planted 3.30 Acres Krauser Pinot Noir on Ed O’Keefe Jr. sells his Detroit based The “e” was added back to the end of site of original 1974 CGT Test Field business, hires Dr. Helmut Becker from Travers due to customer’s continual Geisenheim, W. Germany for a feasibility questioning of the traditional French 36,700 gallons of fermenting tanks study on planting Vinifera grapes on Old spelling added Mission Peninsula 1984 1994 1974 Mark Johnson hired as Cellar-master. CGT sells Development rights to Agri- culture property providing a scenic view Chateau Grand Traverse is incorporated. 1985 shed. 2nd in the State of MI to partici- The Old Mission Peninsula Winery proper- pate in program ty is purchased and land contouring and Winemaker, Roland Pfleger returns to his family’s winery in Germany. 12.0 acre Santucci Vineyard Planted preparing the land for planting begins. (Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, 3.0 acre test field planted to assess 100 Eddie O’Keefe begins working at the Gewürztraminer) winery after graduating MSU. potential grape varieties Sean apprentices with Roland Pfleger/ Mark Johnson promoted to Winemaker Weingut Jakob Pfleger in Herxheim am Berg, Germany 1975 1986 German Viticulturist, Bernd Philippi, hired to plant initial acreage of 27 acres of Ries- CGT sales exceed 20,000 cases annu- 1995 ling, 17 Chardonnay, and 1 Merlot ally. Winery Tasting Room is expanded. Construction of winery building begins 1987 Hard winter freeze Sean starts higher wine education at FA 1976 Ed O’Keefe Jr. establishes Old Mission Geisenheim in Germany Peninsula as an officially recognized CGT is the first commercial winery in AVA by the Federal Government 1996 Northern Michigan.

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