TRAVERSE CITY — Left Foot Charley and two of its wines are highlighted in the January 2025 issue of Food & Wine Magazine, emphasizing Michigan’s wine history.
According to a Jan. 14 news release, the company and its products have been featured in the January 2025 issue of Food & Wine Magazine in Martin Sorge’s piece entitled “Michigan is Making Some of the Most Refreshing, Crisp Wines You Need to Try.”
Eight Michigan wines were featured in the article, including two from LFC: 2023 Old Mission Peninsula Blaufränkisch and 2022 Island View Pinot Blanc Island from Old Mission Peninsula.
Sorge writes, “The Island View Vineyard Pinot Blanc makes an excellent case for this variety in the region. . . . Where Pinot Grigio can be a forgettable, serviceable wine, this bottle is a memorable one. Could this be one of the best Pinot Blanc bottlings in America?”
Other Northern Michigan wineries featured include Mari Vineyards, Brengman Bros, and Big Little Wines.
Just days after the notable feature in Food & Magazine, Left Foot Charley received a congratulatory letter for two prestigious prizes- Best of Class for LFC’s 2023 Kerner and Best Sweet Riesling for LFC’s Late Harvest Riesling from the Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition.
Wine columnist/ journalist, Dan Berger, started one of the nation’s most respected wine competitions over 34 years ago. Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition uses the nation’s highest-caliber wine judges.
With over three decades of history and industry knowledge, the DBIWC is even more valuable and meaningful to the winemakers, wine industry personnel and wine lovers. LFC has also been recognized at the Jefferson Cup Invitational, the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Great American Cider Competition and many other prestigious prizes.
“Michigan winemakers have been discovering the flavorful beauty of our region for decades,” LFC winemaker and co-owner Bryan Ulbrich said. “Stories like this underscore the long-term commitment to our vineyards, cellar practices and inspire continued experimentation. Jen and I – and the growers we work with – are humbled and honored by this recognition. But we’re even more excited for what our vines, trees, and bottles will present to us in future decades.”
Since opening in 2004, LFC has been a champion for underdog varietals – cool climate grapes like Pinot Blanc and Blaufränkisch – putting Michigan wines on the map, and winning regional, national and global awards along the way.
Last year, LFC, led by Bryan and his wife and winery co-owner, Jen, celebrated 20 years of collaborative farming and fermentation in Northern Michigan. Ulbrich is quick to share this accomplishment:
LFC is located in the Grand Traverse Commons in what was once the laundry facility of the Northern Michigan Asylum. Locals and visitors appreciate the non-traditional setting, which pairs perfectly with the old-style winemaking that defines LFC.
LFC’s main Tasting Room is open daily, and its Barrel Room is open Friday, Saturday and Monday for enhanced tasting experiences and special events. Each of the wines recognized by Food & Wine and by Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition are available for purchase in the LFC Barrel Room and Tasting Room and are available on the LFC website for shipping to nearly forty states and territories.
To learn more about LFC and all upcoming events: https://www.leftfootcharley.com.