Château Chantal
Week 17 - April 23-30, 2023
The clouds over West Bay look like mountains in the distance. Also, it feels possible today that winter might actually end?
Summary
Chateau Chantal was the second winery established on OMP and the first to feature an inn. It is old enough that the second generation of ownership is in charge, and one of the more obvious ways that this manifests is how huge and sprawling the property is. It's also the thickest vines I think I've seen in the region, another marker earned only by age. I popped in on a Tuesday, and it was expectedly slow, which gifted me with special access to visit with the wine steward and learn so much about this famous place.
Two Wines
2021 Pinot Gris, Proprietor's Reserve 🍇🍇
2021 Gamay Noir, Proprietor's Reserve 🍇🍇
TCWY Wine Ratings:
🍇🍇🍇Best of the region (top 10%)
🍇🍇As good as the rest of the region
🍇Not as good as the rest of the region
To learn more about our wine rating system, click here
Something to Love
Chateau Chantal's wine steward has an incredible story that I couldn't help but love. He has not one but two degrees in wine-related fields and moved to Northern Michigan from Italy to advance his learning from field and ferment to fiduciary. This was the first place I was "outed" by the staff because of taking notes and pictures. I don't lie but I like to remain anonymous, and he figured me out. The throughline is the notion of and commitment to hospitality, which is done very well here. This is the only winery I've ever been issued a newspaper with the day's events and wine offerings.
Something to Do
100% please stay at the inn! I mean, I might do that just out of curiosity and respect for their commitment to hospitality. My dad is having hip surgery soon and once we have a date for his surgery and implied recovery I want to surprise my parents with an overnight in one of the fully accessible rooms. I'd like to do a "in-town-cation" here sometime with my husband and daughter during one of the shoulder seasons that would allow us to fully expore some of the OMP things we do less frequently than we'd like, including wine tasting (yes, at other wineries, it's fine), the lighthouse, Haserot Beach, etc.
Something to Hope For
Chateau Chantal took a gamble on an unknown, unproven place; and they are now proven right while being at risk for being seen as old-school or out of touch. There are many local wineries getting more notoriety and acclaim, many more putting innovation at the forefront, with results ranging from magical to those more resemblant of wishing toothpaste could be put back into the tube. I felt intimidated here more than I expected to, not because of any people (hospitality is strong here) but a very clear sense that this place knows it will outlast me and dared me to pick it apart. So I think the hope is about confidence and staying power - I wish this not exactly for every winery or for the region but for its inhabitants and anyone reading this. And maybe this is the magic of true hospitality unlocked - the service and product you are providing is within the context of the people who choose to enjoy it.