Our Estate Wines

Representing Time and Place

As a boutique winery, we take pride in our attention to detail and our commitment to small-batch production. This allows us to carefully oversee every step of the winemaking process, from grape to glass, ensuring that each bottle embodies our vision of elegance and finesse. Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, our diverse portfolio of varietals and blends offers something to please every palate.

We strive to cultivate an expression of time and place in each of our wines. Seeking to capture the true nature of our cool climate, our wines are expressively vibrant, refreshing and pair well with a range of foods. Winemaker, Kasey Wierzba creates our wine with a philosophy focused on expressing the natural flavors and aromas of the fruit balanced with a precision that is ushered through science and technique. We produce 7,000 cases of wine in a single year, making each bottle special, unique and limited.

Bottles

2024 Pathfinder

70% Muscat 30% Gewurztraminer| Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 160 cases

This refreshing sparkling wine is the perfect late summer sipper. With the light spritz and lees aging from the bottle fermentation, this wine is both creamy yet refreshing. Giving all of the tropical vibes you want to allow you to hold on to the Northern Michigan summer. Enjoy this wine chilled on it’s own, with light charcuterie, or even a creamy dessert.

2022 Sparkling Riesling

100% Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula | Off-Dry | 600 cases

Sparkling Riesling is one of the original Shady Lane Cellars wines. To this day it stands out with balanced fruit, spice, toast and mouthfeel. Our Sparkling Riesling is produced from blocks M, I and N which collectively consists of three different clones; 49, 198 and 239. The fruit was hand harvested and the primary fermentation was managed to express the fullest potential of fruit and floral aromas and flavors. The second fermentation was conducted as cuvée close to respect the fresh aromas and flavors. This lively wine radiates flavors and aromas of stone fruit, green pear and limoncello. A wonderful wine for everyday occasions!

2024 Grüner Veltliner

100% Grüner Veltliner | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 530 Cases

Gruner Veltliner and Leelanau Peninsula are quite the match! This lively Austrian white grape is well suited for our cool climate. Our estate fruit is processed directly after harvest extracting aromatics and flavors from the skins. The cool month-long fermentation in stainless steel contributes to the enhanced aromas of ripe citrus, orange blossom, and white pepper. Fine lees aging develops the mouth feel, creating a wine with great expression.

2024 Gewurztraminer

100% Gewurztraminer | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 180 Cases

Directly after harvest, our Gewurztraminer is loaded into the press and rests in a cloud of dry ice as we keep oxygen at bay during an 18-hour cold soak. The cold soak allows the flavors and aromatic potential in the grape skins to extract; capturing the greener, geekier side of this spicy, pink grape. The process is a dance where expressiveness and elegance are met. Enjoy the exotic aromas and flavors of lychee, honeydew, and ginger from this limited production.

2024 Pinot Gris - Hennessy Vineyard

100% Pinot Gris | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 510 cases

Warmth and sunshine is conveyed in this wine coming from the hillside of our Hennessy Vineyard. The south facing slope receives all day sun, enhancing the aromas and flavors of ripe guava and fresh grapefruit. The round acidity lends itself to an almond finish. This Alsatian style Pinot Gris is a single vineyard designate representing time and place of this beautiful vineyard site.

2022 Riesling

100% Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula | Semi-Dry |350

Our careful hands-on farming, along with gravel and sandy loam soils bring expression to a higher level in our Estate Riesling. Multiple fermentation lots create layers of character while cool and slow fermentations capture the highest expression of aroma and flavor. After aging on fine lees for eight months we begin to blend and bottle, creating a wine with notes of guava, ginger, and white pineapple.

2023 Select Harvest Riesling

100% Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula | Sweet | 410 Cases

In the cold of late November, weeks after the last red grapes are harvested, we turn to the honey-colored Riesling hanging lonely on the vines. The clusters are fragile from the first freeze of winter and must be hand harvested with extra care. Concentrated aromas and flavors of baked apple, candied ginger, and tropical bouquet make this wine a rich and beautiful expression of Riesling.

2023 Winter Harvest Riesling

100% Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula | Sweet | 113 Cases

Hand harvested on a snowy January day with a foot of snow underfoot, this Riesling captures the rare magic of winter. The clusters had begun to raisin, and a kiss of noble rot concentrated sugars and flavors in the fruit. Once pressed, the thick golden juice revealed aromas of honey and vanilla, with layers of candied citrus and baked pear. Rich, viscous, and decadent, this wine is the closest expression to an ice wine we will see at Shady Lane. Pair with crème brûlée, cheesecake, or simply sip and savor the taste of winter preserved in a glass.

2024 Pinot Noir Rosé

100% Pinot Noir | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 345 Cases

Our beautiful Pinot Noir clusters were hand harvested and immediately loaded into the press for a 15-hour cold soak. After gently pressing the grapes, the brightly colored juice was then fermented in 100% stainless steel to capture the freshest aromas and flavors. Resting on fine lees for several months provides creaminess and texture. This wine brings freshstrawberry, mandarine, and creme brulee.

2024 Golden Hour Pinot Gris

100% Pinot Gris | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 180 Cases

Deeper, rounder, and richer tones are the vibes we get from our cold soak Pinot Gris. What's a cold soak? Well, we let the grapes sit in the press for about 12 hours so that the skins have an extended contact with the juice before we press it.. This allows all the lovely tannin and aromatic characteristics to contribute to the wine. We love this expression of Pinot Gris because it shows off the flavor and mouthfeel imparted from the grape skins. The flavors and aromas of wild strawberries, field flowers, and melon are a true reminder of that magical moment before sunset; Golden Hour. Pair with brown sugar glazed salmon, lemon herb chicken, or Indian curry.

2024 Pomeranz - Skin ferment Riesling

100% Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 235 Cases

This skin fermented Riesling represents our flagship variety in a unique and different style, accentuating orange zest, honey comb, and earl grey. This wine was fermented on the skins in open top stainless-steel tanks for two and a half weeks, after spending five days in an aerobic environment for a cold soak; extracting tannin and terpenes but keeping the fruit forward components of Riesling. Shifting the style with exposure to oxygen we have crafted a true “orange” wine. Its expression is tea-like and earthy, yet unmistakably Riesling.

2022 Pinot Noir

100% Pinot Noir | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 200 Cases

During the warm year and the rush of 2021 harvest we took a Our winemaker likens Pinot Noir to the greatest of divas. A hard grape to grow, tricky to ferment, but treat this little grape right and it will sing!These grapes were hand harvested on October 4th from our Hennessy and Estate vineyards. In the small lot fermentations, we used four different yeast strains to increase layers and complexity. Malolactic fermentation and aging took place in 40% new French oak and 60% neutral for 20 months. Our Pinot Noir delivers flavors and aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, cola, black tea and spice.

2023 Cabernet Franc

100% Cabernet Franc | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 276 Cases

The long fall of 2023 provided extended maturation for our Cabernet Franc which was harvested the first week of November. The vintage brought fruit with elegant tannins and fresh dark berry flavors with a balance of cool climate acidity. The fermentation took place over 13 days in open-top fermentation bins. The use of seven different yeast strains added to nuance and complexity in the finished wine. After the secondary fermentation done in tank, the wine was put into barrel for aging to begin. This Cabernet Franc brings a pop of violets and cranberry that meld into flavors of red plums and a hint of vanilla bean. Sweet tannins and baking spice are compliments of 18 months in 100% French oak barrels.

2023 Franc ‘n’ Franc

45% Cabernet Franc 45% Blaufränkisch 10% Merlot | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 270 Cases

Estate grown Cabernet Franc, Blaufränkisch and Merlot were blended together creating our proprietary blend Franc ‘n’ Franc. After harvest these red grapes are destemmed and cold soaked for three days. Small fermentation lots are then inoculated with different yeast, adding complexity to the blend. Secondary fermentation and cellar aging takes place in French oak, where tannins soften and a round mouthfeel develops. Red and blue fruits of fresh plum, raspberry, mulberry, vanilla, cocoa, lavender and spice layer together with lush, full tannins bringing richness and structure to the finish. This red wine is a true reflection of cool climate perfection.

2023 Blaufränkisch

100% Blaufränkisch | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 270 Cases

Blaufränkisch happens to be one of Austria’s flagship red varieties, with over 8,000 acres planted.

Here at Shady Lane Cellars, we have a modest 3-acre plot of Blaufränkisch, otherwise known as Lemberger in Germany, and although our plot may be small, it produces wine with big personality. The Shady Lane Cellars Blaufränkisch is a dark red wine with layers of blueberry, blackberry, and mulberry fruit. A hint of black pepper and cedar spice finish this wine with aged, lush tannins and big mouthfeel.

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2024 Chardonnay Reserve

100% Chardonnay| Leelanau Peninsula | Dry |161

From our Lake Leelanau vineyard, the south-facing slope delivers fruit with ripeness and character that shines each vintage. The 2024 Reserve Chardonnay was aged in one-third new French oak and underwent full malolactic fermentation, creating a wine with a round, bold mouthfeel and layered complexity. Aromas of baked apple, toasted brioche, and vanilla cream lead into flavors of ripe pear, lemon curd, and a touch of nutmeg. The balance of oak and fruit gives this Chardonnay both richness and finesse, making it equally suited for a lively dinner table or a quiet, chilly night on the patio.

Pair with roast chicken and root vegetables, lobster with drawn butter, or a creamy wild mushroom risotto.

2022 Reserve Pinot Gris

100% Pinot Gris| Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 111 Cases

Crafted during Assistant Winemaker Maddie’s first vintage with us, this Pinot Gris represents a new vision for Shady Lane—a true house style. Estate-grown fruit was given a thoughtful twist through small-batch barrel fermentation, not to impart oak, but to enhance mouthfeel and texture. The wine rested on fine lees with bâtonnage, a classic French technique of stirring, which developed creaminess and depth. The result is a Pinot Gris with layers of ripe orchard fruit, subtle spice, and a round, elegant finish. Pair with butternut squash ravioli in brown butter, roast chicken with herbed cream, or a flaky pear and brie tart.

2021 Reserve Blaufränkisch

100% Blaufränkisch | Leelanau Peninsula | Dry | 150 Cases

Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger) is one of Austria’s flagship red varieties, and while Shady Lane Cellars farms just three acres on the Leelanau Peninsula, it delivers a wine with bold character and depth. Our 2021 Blaufränkisch Reserve shows layers of blueberry, blackberry, and mulberry, finished with notes of black pepper, cedar, and lush, aged tannins. After aging, our two winemakers taste every barrel and select only the top candidates to create the Reserve blend. The warm, dynamic 2021 Northern Michigan growing season contributed to ripe dark fruit, balanced acidity, and a powerful yet elegant mouthfeel.