July 21, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
I’m sure the line, “The Tanks are Coming”, is uttered in German in the movie, “Patton”, by those in the direct onslaught of the American General. However, in this case, even though the tanks are Italian from Prospero and Co., the phrase will remain in English, “The Tanks are Coming” and as I write this, the tense has changed to “are Here!” Yes, three container ship semis arrived last week at Forty-Five North and the contents, tanks, destemmers, and punch down tanks have now been set in the production building. Again, my naivete is genuine, there now comes the…
Continue reading “The Tanks are Coming!” or Leave a comment (3)
May 19, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
That one Lucky Dude would just happen to be me! First John Peppler found the property, Maynard consulted and gave great encouragement, Doug Matthies designed a state of the art production facility (which is now 98% complete) and planted 15,000 plants, and now, Shawn Walters is Forty-Five North’s winemaker. For those of you attuned to the Michigan wine industry know that Shawn is the foremost, emminent winemaker in the state. To say that he is a child prodigy gives away my age and as you know, all is relative. His accolades run deep, one could paper a wall with all his awards and trim the room with the gold medal ribbons. His most recent ribbons include the cab franc at the Michigan State Fair and Number Uno ratings from MichWine.com for his pinot grigios and Rieslings. As…
Continue reading “One Lucky Dude!” or Leave a comment (8)
May 13, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
The Great Race Dancesport Dance Contest was held at the Joyce Center on the campus of Notre Dame May 12, 2007. I was most fortunate and took first prize in Bronze II West Coast Swing and American Smooth, i.e, the three dances tango, waltz, and foxtrot. My partners were Cheryl Perry, amateur, and my pro instructor, Kathy Nate. They, of course, dance at my age level, be nice, and we did not dance against any wheel chair competitors. At night they had a professional show and Tony Dovolani from Dancing With The Stars gave an exhibition with his pro partner, Alena Grinenko and I must say he is the best! He is easily one of the ten best US dancers alive. It was most fun and next year I want to compete at the Open level, meaning dancing against the top competitors there. Steve
Continue reading “The Results Are In” or Leave a comment (0)
May 11, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
Life is nothing more than a collection of memories, it’s best that they be of the better category. Recently I have experienced two such events, the Taste of Copia Downunder in Napa, CA, and Toast of the Town in Chicago. Such experiences should also be enhanced with addition and presence of both family and friend and, again, such was the case.
In mid April, while visiting with my son and daughter-in-law in Dublin, CA, Maynard whom you’ve met electronically, was able to get us into the Copia Centers Tasting with 20 of the top Australian vintners and we tasted some marvelous wines. All of us have experienced that “in over my head” feeling and that’s perhaps how I felt. Certainly I was not intimidated, there was no judging, and everyone, as is per usual with the Aussies, very friendly and low key and I and…
Continue reading “Tastings” or Leave a comment (0)
March 9, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
Is wine a health food? Evidence mounts that it actually is, but one has to be careful in interpreting the scientific data and analyze the chemistry and its biochemical effects. This article is intended to be a primer on the health aspects of wine. Much of the historical history of wine involves the 300-400 year old Puritanical view, focusing only on the alcohol content and the evils thereof. Organic chemistry is a relatively new science of perhaps 150 years and, of course, biochemistry is approximately two generations (50-70 years) old. So, with the discovery of phenols, catechins, anti-oxidants, flavonoids, phyto-nutrients etc., one has to include them in the science of health. The French Paradox, which Maynard will elaborate on, roughly states that why is heart disease more prevalent in the west when…
Continue reading “Wine and Health” or Leave a comment (0)
February 9, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
“Northern Vineyard”, an original painting by Mary Fuscaldo of Leelanau County, can now be viewed on the website, and as promised, it depicts the best of Leelanau county and with one look it can transport your memories there instantly. Using the glicee process, Mary reproduces extremely high quality reproductions and they are available at her studio and ultimately at the Forty-Five North tasting room. The Leelanau Wine Board recognized its beauty as well, and has chosen it for the 2007 Leelanau Wine Tour Brochure. Enjoy! Mary’s studio is located at 4249 Whitehall Rd. off County Rd. 620 in Leelanau County. The studio is always open, but call first, 231-256-2237.
Continue reading “"Northern Vineyard" by Mary Fuscaldo” or Leave a comment (0)
February 8, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
As previously stated, Maynard Johnston’s credentials and contacts run deep, and he is a part owner and good friend of Scott Harvey, founder of the Scott Harvey Wines of Napa Valley. After sampling some of Northern Michigan’s Rieslings, they are excited about producing a Riesling under the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. And, beyond excited, I, and now with two of California’s best along with Leelanau’s Doug Matthies, will be producing a Scott Harvey Riesling this fall at the Forty-Five North production facilities. Wow, as my father…
Continue reading “Scott Harvey Wines” or Leave a comment (0)
January 21, 2007
Steve Grossnickle, Owner
Forty-Five North Winery is a lifelong Grossnickle dream that has now come of age. Northern Michigan, especially Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties are an exceptionally beautiful area and a special place for the Grossnickle family. We have visited for 45 plus years and have owned a cottage on Little Traverse Lake since 1983. Skiing, hiking, boating, and fishing have produced memories for Lori, Steve, Brian & Hildy, Eric & Alanna, Katie, their many friends and now Mica and Katarina. Visionaries in the early 80s realized that the Cherry Capital of the world, being a micro…
Continue reading “The Dream” or Leave a comment (2)
I’m sure the line, “The Tanks are Coming”, is uttered in German in the movie, “Patton”, by those in the direct onslaught of the American General. However, in this case, even though the tanks are Italian from Prospero and Co., the phrase will remain in English, “The Tanks are Coming” and as I write this, the tense has changed to “are Here!” Yes, three container ship semis arrived last week at Forty-Five North and the contents, tanks, destemmers, and punch down tanks have now been set in the production building. Again, my naivete is genuine, there now comes the…
