Lee was hired as a winemaker in 1998 and was an integral part of the development and construction of the Winery at Black Star Farms. Currently, he holds the position of head winemaker and managing member and oversees the winemaking operations for our two processing facilities on the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. These facilities were developed separately and, in 2007, expanded to specialize in separate red and white wine production. He is also the director of our distillation program, which produces European-style fruit brandies and dessert wines. Lee is a proud self-taught winemaker, which he came to following a business degree at Michigan State University, years of experience in the restaurant industry, and extensive international travel. He was an assistant winemaker at a small winery in Italy’s Piedmont region before moving back to Michigan, where he was born and raised. He returned home at a time fortuitous with the growth and expansion of the local wine industry. He avidly supports all things Michigan and proudly pursues the best in Pinot Noir and Riesling.
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