Dr. Joseph O’Donnell – Proprietor

In 1987, Grand Rapids, Michigan based Neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph O’Donnell, and his good friend Bill Stouten, a real estate broker, found a classic old fruit farm for sale near Suttons Bay, Michigan.  Set  among scenic rolling hills of  Leelanau Peninsula, the flowering orchards of primarily cherry, peach and apple trees, proved irresistible to Joe and plans were quickly made to purchase the farm.       

After a few years of cherry harvests, an awareness of the farm’s location within the acclaimed Leelanau Peninsula AVA, and a particular fondness for Champagne inspired the friends to explore the possibility of establishing a vineyard on the farm. 

Joe consulted Michigan State University Professor of Horticulture Dr. Stanley Howell, Ph.D., who at the time taught at MSU’s plant and soil science department.  Best known for his studies in the physiological and cultural factors limiting vine growth, sustainable yield, and acceptable fruit maturity and quality, Dr. Howell focused his areas of research emphasis to photosynthesis, root and rootstock contribution, canopy management to maximize sunlight penetration to the fruiting and renewal zone, and crop control and yield.

With Dr. Howell’s guidance, it was determined the land at Shady Lane indeed held much promise for wine grape growing, and a block of old peach trees was selected for the initial vineyard.

Joe then enlisted the help noted Leelanau Peninsula winemaker Larry Mawby, of L. Mawby Vineyards. A champion of East Coast grape growing cultivars, Larry was one of the first grape growers on Leelanau Peninsula in the 1970’s and he worked tirelessly guiding Shady Lane though it’s early years.

Eleven acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were planted at Shady Lane with an emphasis placed on producing sparkling wines.  Through years of continued plantings, the vineyards are now comprised of 60 acres, primarily Riesling, producing nationally recognized still wines, and of course, fine sparkling wine…

Recently retired, Dr. Joe, as he is known by many, relishes spending more time with his wife Karen and their capable staff at the winery.  A life long avid outdoorsman, he fishes often and hunts in the woods of northern Michigan with his beloved German shorthair pointers Lucy and Nell. 

Adam Satchwell – Winemaker

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio Adam Satchwell has been a life-long Ohio State fan, because in Columbus that’s the law! Shortly after graduating from high school at the age of 17 Adam lied about his age to get a job as a clerk in a wine store in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He did so not so much because he envisioned a career in the wine industry but because it beat delivering pizzas which he had been doing for about a month. Within a year he realized the wine business was indeed a place he could settle and moved to California to enroll in the Viticulture/Vineyard Management program at Santa Rosa Junior College under the supervision of Richard Thomas. While there he worked as a cellar rat at Mark West Vineyards in the Russian River Valley and occasionally at Edmeades Vineyards in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino. It was at Edmeades that Adam worked with his uncle, Jed Steele, and participated in producing some exciting single vineyard Zinfandels and Chardonnays. Jed went on to fame establishing Kendall-Jackson as the foremost producer of Chardonnay in California before starting his own Steele Wines.

From Santa Rosa Junior College Adam continued his studies at the University of California, Davis. While there he continued working with his uncle Jed at Kendall-Jackson in Lakeport. Then as life often happens, Adam found himself unexpectedly in the Washington, DC area for what was planned to be several weeks but ended up being 7 years. In Washington Adam managed a specialty wine store that further exposed him to an incredible array of top quality wines from around the globe. This time helped Adam to come to appreciate and understand the wines of Germany, Alsace, Loire and Burgundy that have done much to guide his winemaking philosophies at Shady Lane Cellars.

Feeling the tug to get back into wine production Adam then went to work for several years as the winemaker at Benmarl Vineyards in Marlboro, New York. Benmarl has the distinction of being the oldest continually operating vineyard in the country. Vines were planted on the site in 1788 and have been growing there ever since.

From there it was time to find a part of the world to settle in and end the vagabond wine guy life. Having always considered the Midwest “home”, Adam returned to Michigan. While looking for a winery and a winemaking position that showed the potential for producing wines of world-class status Adam managed a specialty wine and food store in Dearborn. It was during this time that Adam passed the exam to become a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers headquartered in London, England.

At last, the opportunity to come on as winemaker and vineyard manager at Shady Lane Cellars opened up in 2000. Since joining Shady Lane Cellars Adam has become an integral part of what is rapidly developing as a wine-producing area capable of making truly world-class wines that compete with the best from around the planet and capturing the attention of wine writers and savvy wine consumers. The wines produced at Shady Lane Cellars under Adam’s guidance have won numerous “Best of Class” and Gold Medals in many national and international wine competitions.

In July, 2008 Adam was invited to speak at the prestigious “Riesling Rendezvous” held at Ch. Ste. Michelle that is a gathering of the best Riesling producers from around the world. He was honored to share the stage during a panel discussion and tasting with Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen Estate and Egon Muller IV of Egon Muller Scharzhof.

Adam recently served two terms as the President of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association, an organization devoted to raising awareness of the wonderful wines from the Leelanau Peninsula. 

2009 marks Adam’s 10th vintage at Shady Lane Cellars. During his time here he has come to truly appreciate the importance of “terroir”. Adam’s belief is that every wine is made up of a thousand details, all of which need to be governed by the philosophy of reaching toward developing an expression of “terroir”; the place, the climate, the seasons and the people that make up Shady Lane Cellars.