Traverse City Wine-Blossom Days on Old Mission Peninsula

Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula host weekend celebration and blessing ceremony

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH., APR. 30, 2008 – Nothing captures the agricultural tradition of northern Michigan quite like Blossom Days on Old Mission Peninsula. For the fifteenth consecutive year, the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula invite the public to celebrate a rite of spring and taste select wines available only once per year.

Blossom Days is an annual celebration and liturgy to bless the cherry blossoms for the upcoming harvest season.

Old Mission winemakers invite the public to their tasting rooms May 17-18 from 12-5 p.m. to enjoy a sample of unreleased, barrel and/or reserve wines in addition to regular tasting lists.

The nondenominational liturgy will be presided by Fr. Thome at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 at Chateau Chantal. The Blessing Liturgy brings together a springtime celebration of renewal and growth of the Peninsula’s budding agriculture and the Easter of a new life. This culminating event will feature live music from The Shoreliners Quartet, a complimentary continental brunch and wine tasting, and Sara Lee cherry pies baked with local fruit.

Tickets are $15 per person and are available on the day of the event at the any of the five participating wineries. The ticket price includes a souvenir glass and tasting at all five Old Mission Wineries. For more information, contact 231.223.4110.

The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) consist of five distinct wineries: Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse and Peninsula Cellars – all situated at the globe’s 45th parallel – the ideal climate for growing varietal wine grapes. The five distinct wineries have been well recognized by international wine enthusiasts for the Old Mission Peninsula experience and their award-winning wines, including their prestigious ice wines. For more information and a complete list of events, visit www.wineriesofoldmission.com.