Explore
The World
of Wine

The Wine Guide

USA Winery Index

World Winery Index

 Add or up-date
Winery Listing

Wineries -
Become a
Featured Winery or
Submit Wines for Review

Site Index

Raftshol Vineyards

Featured Winery

Raftshol Vineyards    1865 NW Bay Shore Drive Suttons Bay MI 49682
Phone/Fax: (231) 271-5650 E-mail: warren@raftsholvineyards.com  Winemaker: David Gruber Hours: daily noon-5pm, year round Tasting: yes, no charge
Raftshol annually produces over 1000 cases of Bordeaux varietal red wines, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and also produces fine Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewrztraminer white wines.

Tasting Notes Ratings Explained

2001 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS Red Table Wine ' The Second Coming' , Leelanau Peninsula  50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. It starts off with aromas suggestive of Lifesaver cherry flavored candies. The color is clear and dark pink, and the alcohol level is listed at 12.5%. A Michigan product, its cool climate characteristics come through, resulting in a light bodied red, with light tannins and tart fruit flavors. It drinks like a French bistro Beaujolais and, with all the acidity, it has to match well with food. Chill this off slightly and it will be perfect at your next backyard barbecue. About $12                                 06/24/02                          Tom

2001 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS Dry Riesling, Leelanau Peninsula With grapefruit and fresh lime scents in the background, mineral and slate aromas rise above the fruit. The fruit takes over on the palate, with crisp lemon flavors bringing on loads of acidity. And, as promised, the wine is bone dry. The mineral elements on the nose interact with the fruit at mid palate, adding some additional notes to the flavor profile. This best served well chilled. Understand that this is a Michigan wine, but reminiscent of Alsatian Riesling. About $9                                  06/23/02                          Tom

2000 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS  Pinot Noir, Leelanau Peninsula Strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors are center stage in this Michigan Pinot Noir. On the nose, look for mineral notes of lanolin and slate. Everything gets delivered in a light body and sports a tidy little finish. Not a big, serious Pinot, but its a decent quaff in very much of a value price range, and it really grows on you. No wonder it won Best of Category at the Michigan State Fair wine competition.                                                  11/17/01                          Tom

2000 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS  Pinot Noir, Leelanau Peninsula Strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors are center stage in this Michigan Pinot Noir. On the nose, look for mineral notes of lanolin and slate. Everything gets delivered in a light body and sports a tidy little finish. Not a big, serious Pinot, but its a decent quaff in very much of a value price range, and it really grows on you. No wonder it won Best of Category at the Michigan State Fair wine competition.                                                  11/17/01                          Tom

1999 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS Reserve Chardonnay, Leelanau Peninsula Nutmeg and hazelnut aromas are intertwined with spicy oak. Lots of acidity shows up on the palate, softened slightly by some smoky vanilla notes. Certainly not cloyingly rich and over oaked like so many California Chards, this product of the state of Michigan welcomes pairing with food. And, while citrus dominates the flavors, enough honey and vanilla sneak through to bring a little richness to the party. About $11                                 11/15/01                           Tom

1999 RAFTSHOL VINEYARDS Cabernet Franc, Leelanau Peninsula From an AVA in the state of Michigan comes this tasty little red. It all starts with modest aromas of ripe cherries, with a subtle earthy edge. The palate is treated to strawberry and cherry flavors carried in a light body typical of the varietal. The fruit comes off ripe at mid palate, then turns slightly tart on the ample finish. With tannins that are modest and non obtrusive, it's soft and easy drinking, good to go now. Nice acidity would make it pair well with barbecue or tomato sauced pasta dishes.  Price N/A                                   01/11/01                          Tom

<< Back to Featured Wineries

The Wine Grape
Varietal Table
...learn about wine the visual way

QPR Wine Ratings
QPR newsletter compares wine
critic reviews and retail price data to
reveal which bottles are steals and
which are rip-offs.

Tasting Notes

Latest Tasting Notes

Events

 Featured
Wineries