Adam Satchwell came to the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan and became the winemaker for Shady Lane Cellars in 2000. Before he knew it, he had become an active participant in the region’s effort to make wines the industry would notice (and applaud) on a global level. Since then, Shady Lane has won numerous Gold medals and Best of Class awards in many national and international wine competitions.
In July 2008, Adam was invited to speak on a panel at the prestigious Riesling Rendezvous, a meeting of the best Riesling producers from around the world in Woodinville, Washington. “It was an honor to sit with Ernst Loosen (Dr. Loosen Estate) and Egon Muller Scharzhof,” Adam says, “but the real thrill was to realize
the wines of Shady Lane Cellars deserved to be shown side by side with these great producers.”
Shady Lane is dedicated to cool climate wine growing and sustainable agriculture. “Cool climate wine growing presents a certain style with intense aromatics, beautiful flavors, and an elegant structure,” Adam says. “The wines work beautifully on the table and are a great match with foods.”
About 50 percent of the 50-acre vineyard is currently planted to Riesling. Since this varietal is very important to the region, Adam crafts Sparkling Riesling, Dry Riesling, and Semi-Dry Riesling. “I’m hoping to demonstrate what Riesling can do here through three very different expressions of the grape,” he says.
Blue Franc (also known as Blaufränkisch or Lemberger) is another success story for the Suttons Bay-located Shady Lane. Hoping to produce a lush red with lots of fruit and spice, he bottled the first Blue Franc in 2007. The wine has proven to be soft, yet powerful: perfect with a variety of foods. It’s an award-winner, too. The 2010 Shady Lane Blue Franc won Best of Class for Dry Red Wine in the 2012 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition.
“I’m excited about what’s happening here at Shady Lane and across our region,” Adam says. “We’ve really developed world-class wines.”
WHAT TO BUY
’11 Semi-Dry Riesling – $13
Peach, lime, honeysuckle
’10 Franc ‘n’ Franc – $18
Spice, raspberry, blackberry fruit
’11 Blue Franc – $28
Blackberry, mulberry, spice
CONTACT
231-947-8865
info@shadylanecellars.com
shadylanecellars.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open May–Oct
Mon–Sat 11–6, Sun 12–5
9580 Shady Lane
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
SPECIAL NOTES
Weddings and receptions, wine club discounts and events, gift shop, private tastings by appointment.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
