Suttons Bay/Leelanau Peninsula
Michigan Wine
Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
Ciccone Vineyard
& Winery is a
breathtaking place.
A family owned vineyard on the slopes of the Leelanau Peninsula, where the vines grow through clay and sandy loam soils to produce wines expressive of the site.
Our wines are estate bottled using techniques and dedication to assure exceptional quality.
Vineyard
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan. USA
Planted in 1996, Ciccone Vineyard consists of 14 acres planted in Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Dolcetto, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat, Malbec, Foch and DeChaunac The vines are rooted in soil characteristic of the region, primarily clay and sandy loam. Most of our vineyards face west, benefiting from the long summer days.
Lake Michigan, to our west, and west Grand Traverse Bay to our east, moderate extreme hot and cold temperatures, and the hills produce a natural downdraft which circulates the air over the water and brings it back to the land. In the winter, the downdraft brings back snow which protects the vines from the cold. The lake effect is beneficial to the vineyard because it delays early blossoming, as well as first frost which minimizes damage to the blossoms.
Lake Michigan moderates extreme hot and cold temperatures.
The vineyard is handled through the change of each season with spring pruning to restrict yields, and summer de-leafing and crop thinning to assure maximum fruit ripening. Soil health is maintained by restricting yields, fertilizing, and maintaining native grasses between rows to maintain moisture and prevent erosion.
A Brief History of Our Wine
- 1996
- Ciccone Vineyard planted
- 1998
- First Ciccone Vineyard Vintage bottled - Cabernet Franc wins gold from Tasters Guild
- 2002
- 2000 Dolcetto wins gold from Great Lakes
- 2004
- 2002 Gewurtstraminer wins two gold and, 2002 Dolcetto wins gold from Great Lakes
- 2008
- Bella Ciliegia wins silver from Great Lakes, and Mid-American
- 2012
- 2011 Cabernet Franc & Pinot Noir win silver from Affairs of the Vine Shoot-outs.
- 2013
- 2011 Lee La Tage wins silver, and 2011 Cab Franc wins bronze at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
Tasting Room
Inside our Tasting Room
Tasting Room Hours
December - March: Saturday, 12-5pm
April - May: Thursday - Sunday, 12-5pm
June - October: Daily, 12-6pm
November: Thursday - Sunday, 12-5pm
These days and hours are subject to change. Please call ahead.
A few guidelines to help your visit go smoother:
1. Ciccone Vineyard & Winery does charge a small fee for our Tasting Club. It is $5 for our Signature Logo Wine Tasting Glass and that will include our wine tasting flight. This usually consist of five different wine tastings. We have chosen four of the five tastings for you, and you may choose the last tasting in the flight. In general, our wines are fruit forward, but dry. We encourage you to taste, and you may be surprised to find you like a style of wine you normally wouldn't taste. You do get to keep your glass at the end of the flight, and when you return at anytime with your glass your tasting is free.
2. We have a decent size tasting room but when a full bar on a busy day can get a little overwhelming for our customers and for our staff. So please any groups over 10, we would love if you could call ahead to find the status of our tasting room. Also we understand family vacations have to be split between children's activities and adult activities - children are welcome but NO ONE UNDER 21 is allowed at the bar. However, the children are able to sit elsewhere in our Tasting Room with a book, crayons or their video games.
3. Our Tasting Room staff is educated in the wine, our history and property and in order to share that information with you, please refrain from using your cell phones during your flight.
Wines
The wines are made using traditional techniques under the direction of winemaker, Tony Ciccone, all the fruit is hand picked and sorted. Tony embraces the "European" style of wine, and most of Ciccone Vineyard wines are dry and off-dry. For the customers preferring late harvest Riesling, we hope to have this available in 2012, but the Ice Wine is currently unavailable. There are two dessert wines - one is made of Balaton cherry, and the other is a fortified port-style wine.
Facility Rental
Big Red Barn
Marcale Sisk
- Wedding and Events Coordinator
Thank you for considering Ciccone Vineyard and Winery to host your special event. Not only do we make wonderful, award winning, estate bottled wine, we also help make your special event, the event of a life time. Whether you are planning a small intimate rehearsal dinner or an outdoor wedding for 300, we have unique accommodations with views and a setting unparalleled in Northern Michigan.
We hope this packet of information will help you in planning your event at Ciccone Vineyard. If you would like more information, or would like to schedule a site visit, please feel free to email or call Marcale, our Event Coordinator.
This packet contains a list of just a few our favorite and well recommended vendors.
Not only do we make wonderful, award winning, estate bottled wine, we also help make your special event, the event of a lifetime.
Our Special Event Facility.
Inside Our Special Event Facility.
Contact
cicconevineyard@gmail.com
Telephone 231 271 5553
10343 East Hilltop Road
Suttons Bay, Michigan
49682
USA
About us.
Tony and Joan Ciccone
Owners & Proprietors
Co-owners and proprietors, Tony and Joan are the heart and soul of Ciccone Vineyard and Winery. Tony has 20 years experience in oenology, viticulture and business management. Joan is the landscape designer, and also prepares the home-made food served at the LPVA events that occur here.
Mario Ciccone
Cellar Master
Mario, Tony's son, is cellar-master, and assists Tony in managing all areas of viticulture. Prior to his current role, Mario was in sales and marketing, and he oversees marketing and branding activities. The eldest of his three sons, Silvio Jr., can be seen helping him from time to time in the cellar.
Marcale Sisk
Tasting Room Manager & Wedding Coordinator
Marcale manages the tasting room, and is coordinator to the many weddings booked here at Ciccone Vineyard. She is also the winery representative at regional promotional events and festivals, and is considered an adopted member of the Ciccone family.
Paula Ciccone
Assistant Winemaker
Paula, Tony's daughter, assists him in the winemaking process. She does inventory, labeling, and a variety of things. She did a "stage" in Alsace at Trimbach, and took oenology courses at Michigan State University. Prior to working at the vineyard, she was a Technical Writer.
The free range chickens help get rid of bugs and insects.
The region,
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Ciccone Vineyard lies on the slopes of Suttons Bay in the picturesque Leelanau Peninsula, 15 minutes north of Traverse City in Northern Michigan.
The Leelanau Peninsula is one of the main wine regions of Michigan. It is renowned for the production of cool climate varieties especially, distinctive Rieslings, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and fine Chardonnay. This is an expanding wine area offering an exciting diversity of sandy loam and clay slopes.
