Kudos to Forty-Five North

Congratulations to winemaker Shawn Walters and Forty-Five North, one of Michigan new wineries, for snagging three "Double Gold - Best of Class" medals and a "Best of Show" distinction at last week's 2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition in California. Their Dry Riesling was named "Best Pacific Rim White Wine," placing it second overall in a competition of 2,800 judged wines.

"It is a feat of Biblical proportions for winemaker Shawn Walters, his abilities and a first-year winery," says Forty-Five North Owner Steve Grossnickel, an Indiana ophthalmologist and Lasik surgeon with a passion for wine who purchased a 100-acre cherry farm near Lake Leelanau in 2006 for Forty-Five North. "Since this was a totally blind tasting in which judges tasted completely without knowledge of make, winemaker, or vintage, it seems there was more than just subjectivity to the results."

The 8000-square foot state-of-the-art winery began production last fall and will have an eventual capacity of 30,000 cases of wine per year. As one of the largest wineries in the area, it will be able to handle a significant amount of outside work as well.

The tasting room has its own unique story. "The 120 year old barn was rescued from Kent County and moved some 170 miles north to be rebuilt on the property," says Cindy Curley, Tasting Room Manger. "It has taken four truck loads to get it all here." The reconstruction is expected to be complete in time for a Fourth of July weekend grand opening. Forty-Five North is located on the 45th Parallel, 8580 E. Horn Road in Lake Leelanau, in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula

Forty-Five North is located on the 45th Parallel, 8580 E. Horn Road in Lake Leelanau, in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Filed under Award Winners • Wineries