Rules & Process

🍇🍇🍇Best of the region (top 10%)

🍇🍇As good as the rest of the region

🍇Not as good as the rest of the region

The region produces some lovely wines, and there is good wine available at all of the wineries. Reviewing the wine or the hospitality is not the point - my goal is to showcase the region as a whole and I aim to prove that there's no wrong itinerary when choosing which wineries to visit. Therefore, our wine rating system is simple: a wine that is comparable or as good as most other wines in the region is "two grapes." Truly exceptional wines, which I estimate at the top 10% best of the region,  are "three grapes." I hope to avoid anything lower than two in this project, but if I do encounter something that I would recommend avoiding, it will be a "one grape."

The purpose of documenting this project is to prove that every winery in the region is worthy of a visit and a place to find happiness. Writing about it using Kant's framework "Rules for Happiness" is the framework against what my experiences are measured, even in the off-season or the contrasting crazy-busy seasons. I encourage anyone who visits with wine tasting in mind to discover the region's wineries, and share in the happiness they can all provide.

The regions I cover vary from Leelanau, Old Mission Peninsula, to Outliers (everything else), generally according to the five American Viticulture Area (AVA)s defined for Michigan. I make a few departures from this official designation based on my experience as a local citizen. This includes defining "Outliers" my own way, and by further defining some of the location information. Wines of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) and the Leelanau Wine Trail are two regional, relevant, non-profit organizations that exist to promote the member wineries of these AVAs. Leelanau Wine Trail defines different sub-regions "Sleeping Bear Loop," etc. I use different definitions of the sub-regions of the Leelanau AVA from a more practical "where is it" standpoint relative to Traverse City, as well as a single visit versus a tasting excursion of multiple wineries. 

Leelanau has more wineries than Old Mission Peninsula, and Old Mission has more than Outliers. Each month I try to include 1 OMP winery, 1 Leelanau winery, and 1 outlier. Remaining weeks will be Leelanau wineries of different sub-regions, and/or special events relevant to the project. Outside of this, the wineries are chosen for any reason, including "I only have time to go to X" or "I have more time so I chose Y." Each month, I strive to include a mix of wineries I'm familiar with already and at least one new-to-me winery each month. 

My order is two different glasses of wine, not flights, seltzer, or cider. Strive for difference - white, red, rose, dessert wine, etc. I order to my tastes, to the wineries' "signature," if applicable, and any seasonal or special offerings. 

Traverse City is a micro-politan area of about 110,000 year-round residents. Some of my best friends work in the wine industry, along with many acquaintances. At any of these properties, I will disclose any conflicts and when necessary, I will include an objective companion or send a proxy.