Adam Satchwell came to the Leelanau Peninsula and became the winemaker for Shady Lane Cellars in 2000. Before he knew it, he had become an active participant in Michgan’s effort to make wines the industry would notice (and applaud) on a global level. Since then, Shady Lane has won numerous Gold medals and Best of Class awards in many national and international wine competitions.
In July 2008, Adam was invited to speak on a panel at the prestigious Riesling Rendezvous, a meeting of the best Riesling producers from around the world in Woodinville, Washington. “It was an honor to sit with Ernst Loosen (Dr. Loosen Estate) and Egon Muller Scharzhof,” Adam says, “but the real thrill was to realize the wines of Shady Lane Cellars deserved to be shown side by side with these great producers.”
Shady Lane is dedicated to cool climate wine growing and sustainable agriculture. “Cool climate wine growing presents a certain style with intense aromatics, beautiful flavors, and an elegant structure,” Adam says. “The wines work beautifully on the table and are a great match with foods.”
About 50 percent of the 50-acre vineyard is currently planted to Riesling. Since this varietal is very important to the Michigan wine region, Adam crafts Sparkling Riesling, Dry Riesling, and Semi-Dry Riesling. “I’m hoping to demonstrate what Riesling can do here through three very different expressions of the grape,” he says.
Blue Franc (also known as Blaufränkisch or Lemberger) is another success story for Shady Lane. Hoping to produce a lush red with lots of fruit and spice, he bottled the first Blue Franc in 2007. The wine has proven to be soft, yet powerful: perfect with a variety of foods. It’s an award-winner, too. The 2010 Shady Lane Blue Franc won Best of Class for Dry Red Wine in the 2012 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition.
“I’m excited about what’s happening here at Shady Lane and across our region,” Adam says. “We’ve really developed world-class wines.”
For more information, please visit: shadylanecellars.com