A Celebration of the 2026 Vintage
Every November, wine lovers across France gather to celebrate the arrival of the season’s first wine. This year, Chateau Grand Traverse invites you to join us for our own interpretation of that cherished tradition.
This special evening marks the return of Gamay Nouveau to Chateau Grand Traverse. Crafted from estate-grown Gamay Noir, this vibrant and fleeting expression of the 2026 harvest celebrates one of the winery’s longest-standing varietal traditions in a fresh and unexpected way.
Released just weeks after harvest, Gamay Nouveau captures a moment that can only exist once. Fresh, energetic, and exuberantly fruit-forward, it offers an early glimpse into the personality of the vintage before time and cellar aging leave their mark. Produced in exceptionally small quantities and available only once each year, Gamay Nouveau remains one of the most fleeting wines in our portfolio.
For one evening only, the Club Room Speakeasy beneath the Inn will transform into a spirited harvest celebration where guests can mingle, sip, and experience the first public pouring of the newly released 2026 Gamay Nouveau. Throughout the evening, Executive Chef Keil will present a collection of chef-attended culinary stations celebrating the flavors of the season and the convivial spirit of French wine country. Guests are invited to wander, sip, and explore, enjoying thoughtfully prepared dishes designed to complement the bright, youthful character of Gamay Nouveau.
Like the great harvest celebrations that inspired it, the evening is meant to be experienced in motion. Glasses are refilled, conversations drift from station to station, and the event unfolds as a celebration of food, wine, and the arrival of a new vintage.
This is not simply a wine release. It is a celebration of harvest, craftsmanship, and the anticipation that comes with opening the first bottle of a new vintage. For a winery whose story has been intertwined with Gamay Noir for more than five decades, the return of Gamay Nouveau feels both familiar and long overdue.
Your ticket includes
- First public tasting of the 2026 Gamay Nouveau
- Open wine bar featuring estate favorites and select library wines
- Rare library vintages of Gamay Noir and Gamay Noir Reserve
- Chef-attended culinary stations inspired by French harvest traditions
- Preferred pricing on Gamay Nouveau purchases during the event
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Club Room Speakeasy at the Inn
Attire: Harvest Elegance. Jackets requested for gentlemen; elevated evening attire encouraged.
Tickets: Limited Availability
- General Admission: $125
- Wine Club Members: $99 (Please contact the Tasting Room to activate member pricing)
