Chateau Chantal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chateau Chantal |
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| Location | Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan, USA |
| Appellation | Old Mission Peninsula AVA |
| Formerly | Begin Orchards |
| Founded | 1983 |
| First vintage | 1990 |
| Key people | Mark Johnson, Winemaker Brian Hosmer, Winemaker Elizabeth Berger, Operations Manager Marie-Chantal Begin-Dalese, Director of Marketing |
| Cases/yr | 15,000 - 20,000 |
| Known for | Late Harvest Riesling |
| Varietals | Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Blaufränkisch, Pinot blanc, Pinot grigio |
| Other products | Ice Wine, Cerise (grape), Entice, http://www.chateauchantal.com/b-b 11 room B&B, http://www.chateauchantal.com/tours-events Tapas Tours, http://www.chateauchantal.com/tours-events Jazz at Sunset, http://www.chateauchantal.com/tours-events Cooking Classes |
| Distribution | National |
| Tasting | Open to the Public |
| Website | http://www.chateauchantal.com/ |
Chateau Chantal is a special place in Michigan, near Traverse City. It sits on the Old Mission Peninsula, high up with amazing views. You can see both sides of Grand Traverse Bay from here.
This place looks like a European castle, called a chateau. It's built on a 64-acre (26 ha) estate. Chateau Chantal is in a special grape-growing area. Michigan is known for growing many types of grapes. The chateau has a place for tasting, a bed and breakfast with eleven rooms, and a hospitality room. Fun activities like cooking classes and "Jazz at Sunset" happen there.
Contents
The Story of Chateau Chantal
The idea for Chateau Chantal started in 1983. Robert and Nadine Begin bought 60 acres of land. It was mostly cherry orchards back then. Between 1984 and 1991, they cleared the land. They planted many different kinds of grapes. They also bought more land.
In 1990, the Begins got permission to open the chateau. The company officially started in 1991. The building of the chateau was finished in 1993. In 2003, they made it bigger. They added eight more rooms to the bed and breakfast. They also built a large hospitality room. This room is used for events and gatherings.
In 2010, Chateau Chantal expanded again. They made their cellar and tasting room much larger. They added 9,835 square feet (913.7 m2) to the cellar. The tasting room got 1,784 square feet (165.7 m2) more space. They also added a 2,730 square feet (254 m2) patio on the roof. This patio is open during warmer seasons.
Grapes from Argentina
In 2003, Chateau Chantal bought a vineyard in Argentina. This allowed them to offer a strong red wine. The vineyard is in Mendoza, Argentina. It grows Malbec and Bonarda grapes. Bonarda is a common grape in Argentina. Malbec grapes are famous for their rich flavor. They are often called "the grape of Argentina."
Meet the Founders
Robert and Nadine Begin are the founders of Chateau Chantal. They both used to work in religious service. They got married in 1974. Robert studied business and construction. Nadine taught Home Economics for 22 years.
In 1983, Robert started Begin Orchards. In 1991, the company changed its name. It was renamed Chateau Chantal after their daughter, Marie-Chantal Begin. Robert is the founder and Chairman of the Board.
Nadine wrote a book called Feed my Lambs, Feed my Sheep. It's a mix of a cookbook and her life story. Nadine loves to cook. She prepares many meals for the bed and breakfast guests. Her book shares her life journey. It includes family recipes and photos.
The Winemakers
Mark B. Johnson
Mark Johnson was the first winemaker at Chateau Chantal. He studied winemaking in Germany. From 1983 to 1993, he worked at another local winery. He joined Chateau Chantal in 1993. Mark Johnson passed away in 2017.
Brian Hosmer
Brian Hosmer became a winemaker at Chateau Chantal in 2007. He studied at Michigan State University. He later switched to studying winemaking. He learned to appreciate wine while working in France, Spain, and The Netherlands.
Special Wines
Ice Wine
Some years, Chateau Chantal makes a special ice wine. They leave some Riesling grapes on the vine. These grapes are picked after the first hard freeze. Ice wine was first made in Michigan in 1983. Mark Johnson made it then.
Chateau Chantal follows strict rules for ice wine. The grapes must be frozen on the vine when picked. This makes the grapes very sweet. It's hard to make ice wine because of the weather. Grapes are usually picked in December. But in warmer years, it can be as late as January or February. It's also tricky to protect the grapes from birds.
Leaving grapes on the vine until they freeze is special. The ice freezes the extra water. This leaves behind naturally strong sugars. Ice wine is sometimes called "liquid gold." This is because it's expensive to make and buy. It's also very sweet.
Making ice wine doesn't bring much profit. But it often wins awards. Mark Johnson once said it's "incredibly special" and "quite rare." He also noted that it's something they can't do in California.
Fruit Wines
Entice
Entice is a white port wine. It's a mix of Chateau Chantal's ice wine. It also has grape brandy that has been aged in barrels.
Cerise
Cerise is a unique cherry wine. It's made from a blend of distilled whole tart cherries. It's mixed with Chateau Chantal's cherry wine.
Fun Annual Events
Blossom Days
The National Cherry Festival started in 1925. It was first called the Blessing of the Blossoms Festival. This festival was held in early May. It brought tourists to Northern Michigan to see the cherry blossoms. In 1931, it became the National Cherry Festival. It moved to the summer.
The wineries on Old Mission Peninsula brought back this tradition in 2004. They started the Blossom Days Festival. It's a two-day event. The Blessing of the Blossoms ceremony happens at Chateau Chantal. It's a ceremony to celebrate the blossoms.
Harvest Festival
Chateau Chantal hosts an Annual Harvest Festival. In 2010, they had their 11th one. This festival celebrates the end of the growing season. It includes wine tasting and tours of the vineyard. You can also tour the winery. A fun activity is barefoot grape smashing!
Awards and Recognition
Fox News Travel once named Chateau Chantal. They ranked it among the top ten wine inns in the United States.
Images for kids
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Bob and Nadine Begin
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Tapas Tour Tasting
