Winemaking is a family affair at Good Harbor Vineyards. The winery's history begins, as do many stories in Northwest Michigan, with cherries. From cherry orchards to vineyards, the Simpsons (no, not the TV family) have tilled the land in Leelanau County for three generations.
Sam Simpson and Taylor Simpson own and operate Good Harbor Vineyards, under the guidance of their mother, Debbie Simpson. Bruce Simpson, Debbie's husband, opened the fourth winery on the Leelanau Peninsula back in 1980 after studying viticulture and enology at the University of California--Davis. Sam credits his father as his inspiration for winemaking.
"My dad was my best friend; and being in the vineyards was a great excuse to hang out with him," says Sam. That's the vibe at Good Harbor Vineyards--friendly, warm and fun.
As a third generation winemaker, Sam's path to winemaking was both unconventional and traditional. After graduating from Michigan State University with a finance degree focusing on viticulture and enology, he moved to South Africa. While studying international finance, Sam immersed himself in the South African wine culture. After his father's untimely passing in 2009, Sam returned to the Leelanau Peninsula to carry on the family tradition.
Taylor Simpson, director of sales and marketing, is perfect for her position. After managing the premier accounts for one of Chicago's largest wine distributors, she returned to the peninsula as a Certified Wine Specialist. Using her contacts and marketing savvy, Taylor has spread the word about Good Harbor's wines in Michigan and the Midwest. Stephanie Izard, one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs named in the July 2011 issue, features two of Good Harbor Vineyards' wines on her superb wine list from her Chicago restaurant, Girl & the Goat.
The brother and sister team produce quality wines that are great values. Most popular are Fishtown White and Harbor Red, both blends of complementary grapes. Fishtown White is composed of Chardonnay and Vignoles, creating a delicious summer quaffer perfect with fish, of course! Harbor Red blends Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch grapes to frame aromas of sweet cherries and vanilla, followed by a soft, semi-dry finish.
Sam says, "We believe quality wines should be affordable and enjoyed with every meal. We take what the vines give us and let the terroir (soil and climate) express itself in our wines. Our tradition is a 'hands-off' approach to wine making. We agree with the cliche that great wine is made in the vineyard. The wines are manipulated as little as possible; we focus on the vineyards first."
Resting on their laurels isn't for the Simpson family. They're making new wines in addition to their classic bottlings. Since Bruce Simpson's passing, five new wines have been introduced to consumers, bringing the total of offerings to 14.
Moonstruck Brut, a dry sparkling wine, is composed of 70 percent Pinot Noir and 30 percent Pinot Gris from their estate vineyards. A citrusy blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, called Manitou, is super for summertime sipping, and the Rose makes a perfect picnic wine.
Sam's current favorite is Sleeping Bare Blanc de Blanc NV (non vintage), a sweeter sparkler that's an excellent aperitif. "It's great with so many foods or just by itself," Sam says.
Completing the newer offerings are two serious wines. Collaboration is a complex blend of grapes. This luscious red entices you with a bouquet of red fruits followed by soft tannins and a long finish. Pairing this wine with red meats is the way to create a memorable meal.
Tribute is just that, a tribute to Bruce Simpson, a pioneer of the Leelanau Peninsula wine industry. This 100 percent oaked Chardonnay is a special wine. Rich, mouth-filling and complex, only 300 cases are reserved for sale.
The labels, what about the labels, you ask! Yes, they're fun and original works of art. Local artists and family members have created the handsome eye-catching labels adorning most of their wines.
Good Harbor Vineyards has a bright future. The current 65 acres of vineyards may be expanded to keep pace with growing demand for their wines. Pinot Grigio is a favorite selection and continues to grow in popularity. Traditional attitudes combined with modern technology hold great promise for this Northwest Michigan winery.
Bruce Simpson, patriarch of this winemaking family, would likely be pleased to see how his vision and leadership laid the foundation for continued success. His pride of place, perseverance and dedication is reflected in his legacy, Good Harbor Vineyards.
As the saying goes, "Drink what you like and like what you drink." Wines from Good Harbor Vineyards offer a wonderful selection of top-notch wines at value prices. Cheers!
Michael Schafer, Esq. Sommelier aka The Wine Counselor® is a writer, educator and consultant whose trademark phrase, "I taste bad wine so you don't have to"® embodies his humorous approach to wine.
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