The Clarkston Rotary Club’s Wine Tasting fundraisers provide a great chance to get together with a couple hundred friends for a good cause.
They’re also a great way to support a growing Michigan industry.
‘Michigan wines are fabulous ? they’re growing good grapes, and that makes a good wine,? said Rotarian Rich Harrison at the March 27 Wine Tasting at Oakhurst Golf and Country Club. ‘Growers from California are coming to Michigan.?
The western coast of Michigan, especially Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, offer an excellent environment for growing grapes, he said.
‘People have been supporting their Michigan wineries,? he said.
Rotary’s spring wine tasting features Michigan wine makers. Many of the growers themselves drove down from their vineyards along Lake Michigan just to be at the event.
‘It’s one of the best in Michigan,? Harrison said. ‘It’s a first-class event.?
Dan and Lucie Matthies of Chateau Fontaine winery make a cherry wine that is popular with connoisseurs as well as chefs, who use it in recipes such as duck breast with cherry wine reduction.
‘People really enjoy it,? said Dan Matthies. ‘It’s a blend of three different types of cherry, sweet and fruity.?
L. Mawby Vineyards of Suttons Bay presented its sparkling wines, including the award-winning Talismon.
‘Talismon was named one of the top 40 wines in the U.S. by Vintners (magazine),? said Don Hartwig, Mawby Vineyards.
This was the sixth Clarkston Rotary wine tasting for Hartwig, spring as well as fall events at Bordine’s Nursery.
‘It’s nice to present our wines to people outside our normal distribution (in southeast Michigan),? Hartwig said. ‘This is a good venue. People are interested in wine ? they’re respectful and knowledgable.?
Clarkston Rotary Club meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Deer Lake Athletic Club, 6167 White Lake Road. Projects include SCAMP picnic in July, Labor Day Parade, Goodfellow newspaper sales and Shoes for Kids in December, and decorating downtown for Christmas.
The spring and fall wine tastings, which feature local restaurants, are the group’s main fundraisers, collecting from $5,000-10,000 each for its projects.
‘The wine tastings have been successful for us,? said Rotarian Joel DeLong. ‘It speaks well of the community that it helps support our programs.?