Wine Tasting in Northern Michigan

Yesterday, it was a little overcast, so we drove to Traverse City for wine tasting. We stopped briefly at the Congregational Summer Assembly for a game of fooseball.Our first winery was L. Mawby where they are known for their bubbles.My sister-in-law and her fiance obliged me in taking several fun photos. We loved the cat weathervane. Mr. F was not as excited to take photos,  but he made up for it in the grape fields!We picked our favorite bubbles and  had fish pate and crackers on the patio. We saw a neat, yellow, furry caterpillar near us.I love self portraits, can you tell?!Our second stop was the Peninsula Winery in an old schoolhouse. We enjoyed their riesling!The 2 Lads winery was the last stop.It was a neat corrugated, modern building with an amazing view of Grand Traverse Bay.Of course, Mr. F and I took more pictures outside!We had so much fun.Check out the view from inside the tasting room!KJ and my sister helped pick out a few fun wines for dinner too.My favorite was the Cab Franc rose and not just because it matched my Land's End Canvas shirt!

With a Little Help From My Facebook Friends (Suggestions for San Fran)

Food ideas:
Dottie's for breakfast

Source: dotties.biz via Helen on Pinterest

Barbacco

Old School SF institutional restaurants:
Tadich Grill (although there's a no reservation policy!)
Sam's Grill

Dim Sum ideas:
The Great Eastern Restaurant Source: 
yanksing.com via Emily on Pinterest

Yank Sing ranks a little higher on Trip Advisor and it won a James Beard Award in 2009!

To do:
Chinatown
the Ferry Building (with lunch at Barbacco)

Source: statigr.am via BeautyArmy on Pinterest

Yerba Buena Gardens (with lunch at Samovar Tea Lounge)

Source: samovarlife.com via Snap on Pinterest

Golden Gate Park

Source: bayimages.net via Rose on Pinterest

(particularly, the Japanese Tea House)Source: bing.com via K on Pinterest

I also just found out that there's a tasting room in our hotel!

Source: californiawinereport.blogspot.com via Mama on Pinterest

The Chateau Montelena was actually the focus of the movie, Bottle Shock with Alan Rickman and Chris Pine! I love this movie! Source: rottentomatoes.com via Mary on Pinterest

Pictures from last week

We had a blast at the Founder's Beer Dinner last Wednesday with our Chicago buddies! It was 80 degrees and the All Day IPA was incredibly refreshing. It wasn't too hoppy either! Beau, the representative from Founder's, was charming and entertaining as he guided us through our courses. The first course was a foie gras crepe, citrus duck sausage, with a pan fried quail egg, maple and blueberry, paired with Double Trouble. It was delectable, to say the least.The next course of beer cheddar, parsnip soup with carrots, fennel oil and a crab croquette was my favorite. It was so creamy and delicious that I barely had room for the next two courses.The beer went perfectly with it too. The main dish was over the top! It was an amazing crusted lamb with coffee and hazelnuts. There was bourbon-vanilla bacon, English peas and Boursin gratin, and a black truffle, sweet potato ravioli too!  I didn't get a chance to get a picture of the dessert, but the last beer pairing was pretty awesome.It went extremely well with the grilled pretzel ice cream! Overall, we loved all the beer and can't wait to find it in grocery stores!

On Thursday, it was super humid. There was also threat of thunder and lightning but not rain! I can't believe it but the 80 degree summer-like weather continued throughout the weekend. We had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and even braved the crowds in the Loop! This weather is absolutely beautiful and unreal. We even saw inverted skylines in wine glasses this weekend!  After so much sun on Saturday, we chilled out for the rest of weekend. We read on our balcony. I finished the Hunger Games trilogy (in less than a week) and Mr. F almost did.

Source: google.com via Heidi on Pinterest

It's suppose to be in the 70s and 80s for another week. I've stocked up on sunscreen, but what shall I read next?

Wine Tasting in Michigan

We went on a winter wine tasting adventure through Living Social today! Mr. F and I met our friends in River North and took a tour bus to Michigan for the day. Our first stop was St. Julian's winery in Union Pier, an hour and a half from Chicago. Our favorite was the dry riesling.  B.R. RIESLING

This gently floral wine leads with vibrant aromas of Mangos, fresh lime & citrus peel. Flavors come in layers of white peach, pineapple, & nectarine fruit.

Next door to St. Julian's winery is another winery and brewery, Round Barn! Our tour guide from Living Social gave us a complimentary wine, or pint glass, with tokens for tastings. After two wineries, we drove half an hour to Baroda, Michigan, where we had lunch at Gravity winery. 

They have a very cute four-legged greeter named, Oliver. Our last stop of the day was Lemon Creek Winery! They also had friendly winery dogs! We enjoyed the ice wine the most! In general, we decided Michigan's climate grows great riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes but, not much else. Fortunately, we had such a wonderful time with our friends that it didn't matter!