Shady Lane Cellars

Co-owners Joe O'Donnell and Bill Stouten were inspired by a handful of growers who pioneered wine grape growing in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. They planted slightly more than 11 acres of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Vignoles. First releases were vintage 1992.

Since 2000, winemaker Adam Satchwell has brought decades of experience to the production of Shady Lane wines and the unique 70 percent Vignoles and 30 percent Chardonnay Serenity blend.

Satchwell is one of a growing number of Michigan's well-educated and talented winemakers. He apprenticed under his winemaker-uncle Jed Steele [Steele Wines, Kelseyville, California] and has worked at wineries in New York and California's Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties. He loves northern Michigan, its winegrowing potential and makes it is home because he grew up here.

Serenity is Shady Lane's "house" white wine that showcases how vinifera characteristics harmonize with a resistant hybrid variety such as Vignoles. Nicely off-dry at 1.1 percent residual sugar, it's a great all-around wine that will delight everyone in your "house". It's an elegant sipping wine, yet Serenity matches spicy foods and sushi.

Reviewed November 21, 2006 by Eleanor & Ray Heald.