Traverse City Wineries: Chateau Fontaine
A Winery Gem in Leelanau County
Nestled between Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan in Leelanau County is a winery and vineyard that is known around the world for their diverse collection of wines. While not the largest vineyard in Northern Michigan, Chateau Fontaine produces fifteen different wines, ensuring everyone will find something that they love on their tasting excursion. A family operation that has been pouring for guests since 2000, Chateau Fontaine is a hugely popular stop on our Leelanau wine tours.
Award Winning Wines
While there are far too many accolades for Chateau Fontaine to mention in a single blog post, they’ve been awarded two extremely prestigious awards that should adequately depict just how fantastic this place is. They won the John Rose Award two years running for their dry and semi-sweet White Rieslings, respectively. Additionally, they took home Best Pacific Rim White Wine for their 2010 vintage of Gewurztraminer. Winning awards at the state and regional level is a seemingly yearly accomplishment – and with just a few tastes of their wines, you’ll soon know why.
A Family Business
In true Northern Michigan fashion, Chateau Fontaine started simply, as just two people following their passion in wine and horticulture. Dan and Lucie Matthies followed their love of wine and working the Earth, and began planting grapes as far back as 1987. After almost thirty years in the grape-growing business, they haven’t lost their passion for cultivating the land to produce the best possible vinifera grapes – even helping other operations with best practices for starting their own vineyards in the area and around the region.
Chateau Fontaine a Highlight of Tours
One of the many reasons why Chateau Fontaine is so popular with our tour guests is that the staff there are so incredibly approachable and accommodating. If you’re a Sommelier-impersonator or a wine novice, their staff perfectly customizes your tasting to meet your expectations. They’re located in a beautiful location, with plenty of other wineries nearby to squeeze into your tour. With all of these reasons to visit, be sure to add Chateau Fontaine to your next Leelanau County wine tasting adventure!
To read about more Leelanau and Old Mission wineries, be sure to check out our blogs. No one knows Traverse City’s wineries and breweries better than us, so be sure to email us or call us for tips to make your tour exactly what you’re looking for!
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