Traverse City, MI: Building on 30 years of ice wine making and hospitality expertise, Chateau Chantal will host its annual Michigan Ice Wine Festival Saturday January 25, 2025.
Known as the “Nectar of the Gods,” Ice wine is made from grapes frozen on the vine. Harvested during temperatures between 15 to 18 degrees F, the grapes are pressed while still frozen. Harvest has not yet occurred this year, so the grapes are still on the vine, awaiting the right temperatures, which we hope to see by mid-January.
The wine is known for its incredible natural sweetness and fruitiness, with all the delicate characters of a fine Riesling wine. Decadent apricot, toasted caramel, and baked apple drench your palate with balanced sweetness in this stunning dessert wine. As a testament to the winery’s quality winemaking, Chateau Chantal was chosen among nine American Ice Wines to represent our nation at a Canadian state dinner at the White House in 2016.
In celebration of this remarkable wine, festival events will range from family friendly snowman building and ice sculptures to outdoor fire pits with roasted treats. The winery’s walking trail will be open for snowshoeing or skiing. Bring your own snow gear to experience winter in the vineyard. The festival will culminate with a multi-course Ice Wine education dinner on Saturday, including a tour of the cellar and winemaking process. Samples of multiple Ice Wines and pairing will be on hand all weekend.
Entrance to the festival is free, with a fee to sample wines and attend the wine dinner. Ice Wine is a must-try experience that represents one of the most unique abilities of our Northern wine growing climate, something our famed California wineries to the West cannot produce! The winery has held back selections from previous Ice Wine vintages to showcase the wines. Options include Estate White Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc Red Ice Wine, Vidal Ice Wine and Entice Ice Wine with Brandy.
Saturday, January 25: 11am-5pm: The Tasting Room will be open to the public for wine and ice wine tasting – including an ice sculpture luge! Enjoy indoor fireplaces, outdoor firepits, s’more-making kits, and spiked hot cocoa all day! Founder’s Trail will be open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (bring your own gear).
Details for all items and dinner bookings at https://www.chateauchantal.com/ice-wine-festival/
