Two New Wineries Open in Traverse City Area

Two new wineries open their tasting room doors to the public this weekend in the Traverse City area. Three Fires Wine and Skipping Stone Cellars are located next to each other at the West Bayshore Village on M22 at Hilltop Road south of Suttons Bay in Leelanau County. A grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the tasting rooms from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Both wineries produce wines made exclusively from Michigan grapes. Three Fires Wine makes its wine from classic European vinifera varietals, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and specialize in Michigan red wines crafted in the food-friendly, French style of wine making. For those who prefer lighter or sweeter wine, Skipping Stone Cellars offers white and rose' wines that range from dry to sweet.

Three Fires Wine and Skipping Stone Cellars purchase grapes and wine from across Michigan's viticulture regions (AVAs, American Viticulture Areas) and then blend the wines to meet their standards for taste and quality. Three Fires Wine boasts three dry white wines and four red wines. Skipping Stone Cellar's portfolio includes five white and two rose' wines. The tasting rooms will be open year round.

In addition to traditional wine tasting, both wineries will offer special events throughout the year. Three Fires Wine will hold special comparative wine tasting and hor d'oeuvres events. Skipping Stone Cellars plans a lineup of entertaining fun with Kidnap Trivia, Iron Bartender and Murder Mystery night.

Nathaniel Rose, winemaker at Brengman Brothers Winery, is the winemaker and one of the proprietors. Ileana Habsburg-Snyder and David Snyder of Northport, Michigan, Don B. Gill, Jr. of Metamora, Michigan, and Scott Jenney of Rochester, Michigan are also proprietors.

Websites: threefireswine.com and skippingstonecellars.com