Willow Winery - "A Faulkner Family Vineyard" - now owned by Tracy & Harry Faulkner continues the grape growing, wine making traditions established 27 years ago by John & Jo.
Welcome to Willow, the 5th oldest working winery and vineyard on The Leelanau Peninsula with the #1 view! Located on a beautiful, wind-swept hillside in Suttons Bay, the unobstructed panoramic views of West Traverse Bay only add to the majesty of the vineyard. Purchased during the Pandemic by Tracy & Harry Faulkner, they are thrilled to continue the tradition of fine wine making and grape growing, while enhancing the experience of each and every guest. Join us this Season for "The Great Pinot Pour of 2024" as we release the first-ever Library Collection of our 2019, 2020 and 2021, estate grown, estate made, estate aged, Pinot Noir. You'll be hard pressed to find a 5 year aged Pinot any where on the Peninsula. Come sip history in the making and relax on the most posh patio on the Peninsula with the most comfortable accommodations.
The Wines and Wine Makers of Yesterday & Today at Willow
Since the purchase, Tracy & Harry initially collaborated with Christian Guest whom many will recall (over the last 30 years) to produce what they are calling his finest wine ever! The 2019 "Un-Filtered" Pinot Noir, a signature wine for Willow. The Summer of 2024 will be the ultimate Pinot Pour. The new labeling and branding are in, and the "Trio of Pinot" and t he Great Pinot Pour of 2024 is upon us. Stop in today to be one of the first to try (and buy) the new vertical tasting and take home the "Library Collection" featuring the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Pinot Noir.
Another huge hit will be the "All Day Psychedelic Rose'" Named by Rose' wine sipping owner, Tracy Faulkner who starts her day every day with some mid-day Rose'. However, with this new release scheduled later this summer, when it's this good, you need to drink it ALL DAY.
Stay tuned for many new releases . . . including the long awaited 2020 Chardonnay, affectionately named the "J&J Chardonnay" after the original founders and friends of Willow, John & Jo Crampton. For the "Sweet Rain" lovers of yesteryear, we apologize, but our grand re-opening season was so successful in 2023, we sold out of this cult classic. However, while visiting we encourage you to continue to enjoy a few of the wonderful wines of Willows past, all of which have been perfectly caged, aged and staged, just waiting for this day.
Other collaborations took place with the 2021 harvest of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the 3 estate-grown grapes at Willow. The Faulkners brought in a double master degree wine maker and sommelier who trained on the 45th parallel in Bordeaux, France. You did know Willow is also on the 45th as well.
Speaking of . . . The most exciting collaboration thus far exists with our 2022 Harvest. Celebrating Willow's 25th Silver Anniversary last summer, The Faulkners teamed up with famed and acclaimed wine maker, Jay Briggs and our friends of 45 North Vineyards to create the first-ever, Willow Sparkling Wine commemorating the Silver Anniversary of Willow. The "secret" sparkling bottles are currently under great care awaiting their final phase at the sparkling winery everyone in Suttons Bay will know. Stay tuned for a sparkling celebration later this Summer.
"From the Vines to the Wines" we do it all at Willow. Shown celebrating with a glass of wine is Tracy Faulkner, Proprietor / Managing Partner and Wine Maker in Training. Tracy will continue to balance the branding and managing of Willow Winery - A Faulkner Family Vineyard while learning the fine art of wine making. Meanwhile, her husband Harry will tackle the "VINES" portion of Willow's Management. He, along with long-time vineyard management expert and friend, Jerry Stanic of Legacy Vineyard Management and his tremendous team, will tend to the vines to help ensure the best wines for years to come.
We look forward to sipping some wine with you very soon. And, since everything is done by hand here at Willow, if you'd like to become a Willow VIP (Very Important Picker) and help with the Harvest and participate in the most fun Picking Party EVER, make certain you subscribe to our e-mail list, or, even better, text Tracy at 832-248-1188 and ask her to add you to the growing list of Willow Wine Lovers who also love to get their hands in the vines during harvest time. Until then . . .
Warm Wishes, Wonderful Wines & Great Times! Cheers!
Tracy & Harry Faulkner - Farmers / Proprietors & Managing Partners
Willow Winery - A Faulkner Family Vineyard
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