Oryana Wine Tour – Shady Lane Cellars

If your perfect fall color tour includes a bike ride, then Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay is the perfect destination. Located just off of the TART Leelanau Trail (or an easy car ride up M-22), Shady Lane welcomes visitors with a gorgeous stone tasting room and expansive lawn leading to rows of vineyards and tall pines. The perfect pairing with this view? Their award-winning wine list. 

Rick DeBlasio, General Manager of Shady Lane, took some time to share some of his favorite fall flavors. 

What are you drinking currently?

Seasonal changes affect my preferences. I find myself switching from bright crisp whites like Gruner Veltliner to lighter-bodied reds like our 2016 Estate Pinot Noir and our newest release BRIO Red, a blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

What are you recommending in your tasting rooms, especially for the fall season? 

We always like to suggest for our guests something that fits their preference. Dry Riesling is a great food-friendly wine that is perfect for fall; some of our reds like Bluafrankish, Pinot Noir, and BRIO Red in particular, are good too. 

What is your favorite view on your property for fall colors? 

Near the fireplace on our patio – surrounded by vineyard and large pines with the changing colors of the trees that line the drive behind. 

What are some of your favorite pairings for these wines? 

Dry Riesling is fun to pair with cheese, but I’ll go a different route, something more casual. Spiced nuts, like spiced walnuts, go great with dry riesling.  I would then take our 2016 Pinot Noir and pair it with coffee BBQ-rubbed pork tenderloin (or maybe some Smoky Lentil Stuffing!).

Has this inspired you to plan your visit? Visit the Shady Lane website for more info. 

Look for this Mawby featured wine at both Oryana locations this fall:
Shady Lane Cellars Brio Red – canned for peak portability.