Michigan

Leelanau Peninsula

Merlot

2013: Clean, smooth and fruity with notes of red raspberry.
2011: Jammy mulberry, red currents and toasty oak with a velvety consistency.

United States

French Valley Vineyard

Chardonnay Unoaked

Rhyme White

Melodie Dry Rosé

Sweet Riesling

Sweet Razzè

Jubilee

Wintertide

Rhythm

Pinot Grigio

Cabernet Franc Reserve

Semi Dry Riesling

Pinot Noir

Cabernet Franc Merlot

Cloud 9

Cherry

Riesling Ice Wine

Merlot Reserve

La Vallée Brut

Chardonnay Oak

Wink Rosé

Chardonnay Oak Reserve

Dry Riesling

Surrounded by Lake Michigan and West Grand Traverse Bay, our wines reflect the unique terroir of northern Michigan.

A Leelanau Peninsula gem, French Valley Vineyard is home to some of the best wines Leelanau County has to offer. Located between the rolling hills of Central Leelanau County, our beautiful location is home to 12 acres (and growing) of mature grape vines. 



Auxerrois

Cabernet Franc

Cayuga White

Chardonnay

Frontenac

Frontenac Gris

Marquette

Riesling

HEAD WINEMAKER | Blake holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and as soon as he starts talking about wine it’s evident that he is a scientist at heart. A private wine tour with Blake will leave you feeling as though you just left the lecture hall after a great presentation - fascinated, entertained and smarter than you were before. He’s a wealth of information and can talk about wine all day long. Blake plays a pivotal role in our winemaking team. He contributes to our own wine production, oversees the production of wines for other companies, manages our bottling schedule and assists with the label design and approval process and much more. When he’s not making outstanding wine with our team at French Valley, he’s working on a new role : Dad to baby Judd.

Blake Lougheed

VINEYARD MANAGER | Vineyard Manager Tomas Moreno Jr. grew up in our vines. His father Tomas Moreno Sr. worked closely with Charlie to establish our vineyards and build Bel Lago to what it is today. As Charlie tells it, Tomas Sr was even more stringent in the care of the vines and training of his crew that even he was and his tutelage is apparent in Tomas’s knowledge of viticulture and vineyard management. Tomas Sr worked until his death at the age of 82. At that time Tomas Jr. took the reins and has been overseeing all vineyard management and working closely with our winemaking team to ensure our grapes our picked at the height of ripeness. Tomas believes “good wine starts in the vineyard” and it’s because of all the Moreno Family has contributed to our vineyards that this remains true.

Tomas Moreno Jr

FOUNDER | SENIOR WINE MAKER | An educator at his core, Charlie loves discussing wine with anyone who’s interested and believes wholly that when it comes to pairing food and wine there are no rules. It’s a matter of personal taste. Charlie has a PhD in viticulture and oenology from Michigan State University and worked as an academic winemaker and research oenologist, traveling to wine regions around the world before starting a vineyard in 1992. Charlie believes good wine starts in the vineyard and has spent years painstakingly managing his vineyard and working hand in hand, first with Tomas Moreno Senior, and now his son Tomas Moreno Junior who oversees all vineyard activity. Charlie has a passion for our region and its unique terroir and you can taste it in our wines.

Dr. Charlie Edson

White

Fresh apple and honeydew aromas. Crisp fruit flavors with balanced acidity. | Silver medal at the San Francisco Wine Competition – Silver medal at the Intl. Eastern Wine Competition – Silver medal at the Michigan Governor’s Cup

White Blend

Blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Auxerrois and Vignoles. A dry white with flavors of zesty citrus
and luscious peach.

Rosé

A blend of Frontenac, Traminette, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Uniquely fruit forward with flavors of
strawberry and peach with impeccable balance. 

Slight aromas of raspberry and sweet honeycomb

Red Blend

A semi-dry blend that combines the rich flavor and texture of select red wine and the luscious fresh fruit of our cherry wine. 

Frontenac Gris Blend

An imaginative twist on ice wine. Sweet, viscous and peachy. 

A blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Teroldego and Cabernet Franc. Rich flavors of blueberry and ripe plum, with notes of dark chocolate, cedar and a touch of oak.

Bright citrus and peach aromas with an alluring texture | Silver Medal at the Finger Lakes Intl. Wine Competition | Silver Medal at the New York Intl. Wine Competition

A complex red, rich and fruity. Flavors of stone fruit and berries blend seamlessly with French oak spice. Extensive barrel aging creates a more structured red wine, suitable for long bottle aging.

Delicious juicy notes of pear and apricot with well balanced acidity

Double Gold (94) - American Fine Wine Competition | Silver - TEXSOM Wine Competition 2023 | Silver - Intl. Eastern Wine Competition, East Meets West 2023 |Silver - Riesling Wine Competition, Beverage Testing Institute

This wine showcases how integrating oak compliments the delicate fruit structure of Pinot Noir. 

2017 Pinot Noir: Silver medal at the International Eastern Wine Competition & Silver medal from the San Francisco Wine Chronicle 

2020 Pinot Noir: Gold Medal - TEXSOM Wine Competition 2023, Silver Medal - Michigan Governor’s Cup 2023 & 2024 & Silver Medal - San Francisco Wine Competition 2024

Cabernet Franc Blend

This 50/50 medium-bodied blend expresses well integrated oak with a complex balance of texture, fruit and spice.

Sparkling

A semi-sweet bubbly with aromas of stone fruit and lemon zest that jump out of the glass

Sweet

Made from Northern Michigan’s Montmorency and Balaton cherries.

Small-batch ice wine harvested in the winter wonderland of Northern Michigan. Enticingly sweet rich notes in apricot and fig.

Balanced earthy notes complimented with silky smooth integrated tannins create a well-rounded long finish

Gold - Michigan Governor’s Cup Wine Competition | Silver (87) - American Fine Wine Competition | Silver - San Francisco Wine Competition | Silver - TEXSOM Wine Competition

Brut

Aromas of tangerine, strawberry and cream. A sophisticated sparkling with notes of clementine, lemon and white peach.

Vanilla, cantaloupe, dried apricot, and a savory minerality. 

Riesling-Cayuga White Blend

Juicy sweetness with notes of dark cherry candy and pomegranate. 

Barrel-aged for 25 months, this wine offers brilliant complexity and a suave body.

A texture driven wine. Sur-lie aged to develop richness and complexity while maintaining a seamlessly balanced fruit profile. – Double Gold (97) Intl. Eastern Wine Competition –

Michigan

French Valley Vineyard

2013

2011

Merlot

Leelanau Peninsula

Release Price

Drink Window

ABV

pH

TA

RS

Nose

Palate

Winemaking

Aging

More from this Producer