Tag Archives: land

Jun2

Project 24: Something Old, Something New

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Bernie Rink of Boskydel Vineyards and me

It was a day for the old and the new, starting my day at Brengman Brothers and ending at the legendary and first winery in Leelanau, Boskydel!

Brengman Brothers is a beautiful property; it’s only a few years old, but growing leaps and bounds. I had the pleasure of speaking with the events manager, Lauren, and Doug, who was manning the bar. Both were knowledgeable, fun and informative. I love a staff that knows how to inform.

We talked of a passion for the land and a desire to be a good steward of that land, whether hosting events, making wine or educating the wine lovers who consume the product. And it’s a common thread among all of the wineries I’ve experienced up here. It strikes a chord with me as travel along through Project 24, wanting to be a good steward of the land and these people in my work!

And ending the day with the legendary Bernie Rink of Boskydel Winery. Please, just promise me, that you’ll come here if you’re on a wine tour — if for no other reason than to tip your hat to tradition. But you must bring an open mind and heart. This place is not fancy, they will not try to woo you. What they will do is grow good wine at a price that people can afford, which has been Bernie’s model since he planted his first vineyards in 1964. He was born a farmer and, at around 88 now, he still is. Salt of the earth, with a pioneering spirit. If you go on Sundays or Mondays between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., you just might be lucky enough to meet Bernie. If you do this, bring cash and your patience and you will be rewarded.

Stopping by any day is fine during their open hours; you’ll often find his son Jim in the tasting room. Ask questions and be steeped in history. I happened to be in tasting room when two loyal Boskydel fans stopped in. They said they come up every year and love the “down home” experience at Boskydel. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Go see for yourself, and don’t miss the views of the vines with Lake Leelanau as a backdrop — it’s simply stunning! This will not be a hard property to paint …

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May27

Project 24: Where a Passion for the Land, Wine and Art Collide

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Shazam … and Project 24 is off and running.

It was four years ago that I started painting the Michigan wine trail, and the first vineyard I visited was L. Mawby. And so it was that I launched Project 24 at the same vineyard with the same gracious host, Larry Mawby.

 

This morning, as Larry spoke of his love for this peninsula, the land and his winery, a prevailing thought was about helping people connect to and the experience land. Wine, like landscape painting, is in fact about nature: every vine, tree and blade of grass. When you care for and tend the vines, or set up your easel and study the land, you experience the beauty intimately, on a deeper level — a level you hope to share with others. That is the premise of Project 24, and likewise, it is also the hope at L. Mawby’s vineyard.

Walking through the vineyards on a sunny early summer morning, as Larry talked about which grape varietals were planted where and why,  with the first vines dating back to 1973, it was truly a “pinch me” experience. I love this history, the beauty, the land and the graciousness of my host. Walking through the vineyards, one foot in front of the other, taking in each detail. Becoming — if just for a moment — part of the landscape, feeling the heat of the sun, the wetness of the grass, the vines beginning to bud. It takes me deeper into the painting experience; the desire to paint is strong.

And so … I spent the afternoon painting plein air, and did a few sketches and studies. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to diving deeper into that breathtaking  landscape. Truly its beauty rivaled by none.

As I was packing up my paints at L. Mawby, the rain began to softly fall. And so any hopes of photographing, videoing and painting at my next stop, Bel Lago, were thwarted. However, that didn’t stop us from having a rockin’ little time in the cellar, barrel tasting.

Tasting the wine that comes from the land does, after all, inspire art. Winemaker Blake Lougheed took me inside the passion and process that he and owner Charlie Edson put into creating their wines. Truly, it’s an art form tended to with care and a lot of heart.

I’ll have to save painting at this winery for another day, but my experience there today was rich with fodder for inspiration!

Project 24 is off to a great start, and I’m loving every minute on the Michigan wine trail!