Award Winning Bel Lago Wines

Called Michigan's most eclectic winery by the Detroit News' Sandra Silfvin for the "varieties and the blends", Bel Lago wines have earned praise and an outstanding number of medals in just five seasons of competition. In fact, awards have been wone by nearly every wine entered in competition! 1999 Tempesta was rated a 'world class red' (3 stars) and 1998 BRUT Sparkling wine as one of Michigan's best by DeCanter Magazine's Tom Stevenson. California Wine Writer Dan Berger has called the 2002 Bel Lago Gewurztraminer "one of the best I've ever tasted". Several wines have been
recommended by the Wine Spectator Magazine, Sante Magazine, Tasting Magazine, and the Detroit News.

Perhaps most important is the direct response from customers in the tasting room. Bel Lago has many repeat customers and we often hear comments like "best wines from Leelanau Peninsula", "nicest winery to visit", "friendliest, most knowledgable staff", "excellent wine", "my favorite Traverse City winery." One recent visitor commented "Outstaning wines, top to bottom, even better than I've tasted on visits to wineries in California."

Gold Medals: 41
Silver Medals: 98
Bronze Medals: 1

Accolades for Current and Recent Vintages

Leelanai Brillante Sparkling Wine

• This wine won 3 Gold Medals and was named 'Best in Class Close Cuve' at the Indianapolis International Wine Competition in 2007. A prestigious award, The Indy Wine Competition is one of the largest international wine competitions in the USA.

Pinot Grigio

• Double Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2003)
• 
  Gold Medal, Riverside California International Wine Competition (vintage 2003)

Leelanau Peninsula Chardonnay

• Gold Medal and Best of Class (Dry White Wine), 2004 Michigan State Fair (vintage 2001)
  
  Double Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2002)

Leelanau Penninsula Gewurztraminier

• Gold Medal, Riverside California International & Tasters Guild International (vintage 2002)
• ~"One of the best American Made Gewurztraminers I ever tasted" Dan Berger, Wine Writer, Los Angeles Times (vintage 2002)
• ~Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2004)

2002 Estate Pinot Grigio Ice Wine

• Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair (vintage 2002)

Pinot Grigio (75%) and Chardonnay (25%)

• Gold Medal, Tasters Guild International (vintage 2003)

Cherry Wine (NV)

• Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair

Bel Lago REd Wine (NV)

• Gold Medal, Michigan State Fair