Producer Article
Brys Estate
Last edited on 12/30/2020 by TLopiccolo
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Spanning 111 acres, Brys Estate is one of the largest contiguous winery estates on the Old Mission Peninsula. Opened in 2005, Brys is a family-run business that crafts wines from 58,000 vines planted less than a mile from Lake Michigan. Today there are eight different varietals planted at Brys Estate; Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer.
Brys Estate, under the guidance of vintner, Coenraad Stassen, has earned over 500 medals in national and international wine competitions, including a Jefferson Cup for our 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve at the 2019 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, and "Best of Show White Wine" award for our 2017 Gewurztraminer Reserve at the 2018 Critics Challenge. Multiple double gold medals and the "Best of Class" awards have been attained for wines as well, most recently being our 2017 Signature Red Reserve, 2017 Artisan Dry Riesling, and 2018 Riesling Reserve, amongst others. Brys Estate also garnered three medals at the prestigious 2010 International Wine & Spirits Competition held in London, England for the 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir, 2008 Gewürztraminer, and the 2007 "Dry Ice" wines.
Coenraad has a strong focus on producing high-quality dry reds and has a crisp, clean approach to producing whites. His focus is to be able to make world-recognized wines from 100% estate-grown Old Mission Peninsula AVA vinifera grapes from the Brys Estate vineyards.
Recognized as an American Viticultural Area, Old Mission Peninsula AVA is known for its well regarded Michigan wine. The climate of the peninsula is moderated by the surrounding deep waters of the Grand Traverse Bay, with the West Bay reaching depths of over 400 feet and the East Bay reaching depths of over 600 feet. This deepwater helps to prevent frost during the growing season and keeps the air temperatures milder during the winter months.
The tip of Old Mission Peninsula is also located on the 45th parallel which is exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole. Internationally recognized wine regions such as Bordeaux, France; Piedmont, Italy, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon are all located along this same parallel. Cool climate varietals thrive in this region, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Spanning 111 acres, Brys Estate is one of the largest contiguous winery estates on the Old Mission Peninsula. Opened in 2005, Brys is a family-run business that crafts wines from 58,000 vines planted less than a mile from Lake Michigan. Today there are eight different varietals planted at Brys Estate; Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer.
Brys Estate, under the guidance of vintner, Coenraad Stassen, has earned over 500 medals in national and international wine competitions, including a Jefferson Cup for our 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve at the 2019 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, and "Best of Show White Wine" award for our 2017 Gewurztraminer Reserve at the 2018 Critics Challenge. Multiple double gold medals and the "Best of Class" awards have been attained for wines as well, most recently being our 2017 Signature Red Reserve, 2017 Artisan Dry Riesling, and 2018 Riesling Reserve, amongst others. Brys Estate also garnered three medals at the prestigious 2010 International Wine & Spirits Competition held in London, England for the 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir, 2008 Gewürztraminer, and the 2007 "Dry Ice" wines.
Coenraad has a strong focus on producing high-quality dry reds and has a crisp, clean approach to producing whites. His focus is to be able to make world-recognized wines from 100% estate-grown Old Mission Peninsula AVA vinifera grapes from the Brys Estate vineyards.
Recognized as an American Viticultural Area, Old Mission Peninsula AVA is known for its well regarded Michigan wine. The climate of the peninsula is moderated by the surrounding deep waters of the Grand Traverse Bay, with the West Bay reaching depths of over 400 feet and the East Bay reaching depths of over 600 feet. This deepwater helps to prevent frost during the growing season and keeps the air temperatures milder during the winter months.
The tip of Old Mission Peninsula is also located on the 45th parallel which is exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole. Internationally recognized wine regions such as Bordeaux, France; Piedmont, Italy, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon are all located along this same parallel. Cool climate varietals thrive in this region, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.