Featuring Chateau Grand Traverse Dry Riesling & Expert Commentary from Sean O’Keefe
As part of the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, this marquee seminar shines a spotlight on Northern Michigan’s most celebrated wines—and the stories behind them. We’re proud to announce that Chateau Grand Traverse’s Dry Riesling will be one of the featured wines in this lively, expert-led tasting experience.
At a moment when Traverse-area wines are gaining serious attention from global critics and collectors, this event invites guests to dive deep into the terroir, climate, and craftsmanship that define our region. The tasting will be headlined by Susan Kostrzewa, a Traverse City native, acclaimed wine journalist with JamesSuckling.com, and former Editor-in-Chief of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Kostrzewa will guide attendees through a curated selection of top-rated wines from the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula AVAs, highlighting the area’s potential for world-class cool-climate expressions.
Expect detailed insights on varieties ranging from refined, acid-driven Rieslings to vibrant reds like Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. Each wine will be explored not only for its style and structure, but also its sense of place—rooted in ancient glacial soils and a lakeside climate that encourages balance, elegance, and longevity.
We’re especially excited that Sean O’Keefe, winemaker at Mari Vineyards and a member of the founding family of Chateau Grand Traverse, will return to speak about his roots in the Michigan wine industry and share his personal and professional reflections on our Dry Riesling. Having studied at Germany’s Geisenheim Institute and helped shape many of our early Riesling vintages, Sean brings rare, multi-generational perspective on this iconic varietal and its evolution in Michigan.
Event Highlights:
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Headliner: Susan Kostrzewa, JamesSuckling.com journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Wine Enthusiast, brings global perspective to local wines
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Featured Wine: Chateau Grand Traverse Dry Riesling, praised for its precision, acidity, and cool-climate typicity
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Guest Speaker: Sean O’Keefe, respected Michigan winemaker and Riesling authority, reflects on the legacy of his family’s flagship wine
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Tasting Focus: Critically acclaimed wines from the Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula, showcasing Riesling, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and more
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Food Pairing: Light bites to accompany the guided tasting
