A Celebration of the 2026 Vintage
Every November, the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau marks one of France’s most spirited wine traditions. Released on the third Thursday of November, the first wine of the new harvest is welcomed with celebrations that bring together winemakers, friends and communities to toast the vintage. This year, Chateau Grand Traverse brings its own interpretation of that tradition to Northern Michigan.
On Thursday, November 19, the Nouveau est arrivé!
For one night, Chateau Grand Traverse will transform its Tasting Room, Barrel Room and Covered Patio into a private, French countryside-inspired celebration of the 2026 harvest. Guests are invited to move throughout the spaces, enjoying exceptional wines, French-inspired culinary stations, live music from Swingbone North and the convivial spirit that has made Nouveau celebrations a beloved tradition for generations.
At the center of the evening is the first public pouring of our 2026 Gamay Noir Nouveau, crafted from estate-grown fruit and bottled just weeks after harvest. Fresh, vibrant and exuberantly fruit-forward, Nouveau captures the earliest expression of the vintage, a wine meant to be shared and enjoyed in the moment. This year’s release also marks the first vintage under Winemaker Virginia Usher, who will join us to meet guests and celebrate her first Northern Michigan harvest.
An Evening of French-Inspired Food & Wine
Executive Chef Keil Moshier has created an expansive menu inspired by the flavors and traditions of French wine country. Guests are invited to mingle throughout the transformed Tasting Room, exploring chef-attended culinary stations and enjoying an assortment of offerings throughout the evening, including:
- Oysters on the half shell
- Pâté en croûte
- Chicken liver mousse with truffle
- Chilled poached salmon with lemon, dill, crème fraîche and caviar
- Tarte à la tomate
- Assorted French meats and cheeses
- Black olive and fig tapenade with mint on toasted baguette
- Gougères with jambon de Paris
- Steak tartare on toasted baguette
- Trout rillettes with herbs and preserved lemon
- Sweet tartlets and assorted chocolates by Great Lakes Chocolate & Desert Co.
An open wine bar will feature Chateau Grand Traverse estate favorites alongside select library vintages, including rare bottles of Gamay Noir and Gamay Noir Reserve. Live music from Swingbone North will set the tone for the evening as guests move between the Tasting Room, Barrel Room and Covered Patio, enjoying wine, food and the festive atmosphere of a traditional Nouveau celebration.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Winemaker Virginia Usher and purchase the newly released Nouveau. More than a wine release, The First Pour is our celebration of another harvest, the people who make it possible and the simple pleasure of sharing the season’s first glass.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Chateau Grand Traverse Tasting Room
Closed to the public for this private ticketed event.
Attire: Harvest Elegance. Jackets requested for gentlemen; elevated evening attire encouraged. No denim, please.
Tickets: Limited Availability
- General Admission: $125
- Wine Club Members: $99 (Please contact the Tasting Room to activate member pricing)
A First Look at the 2026 Vintage
