While searching for Petoskey stones on vacation in northern Michigan, I did find a few treasures. What I didn't expect to find was what we stumbled upon in Lake Leelanau, MI. While visiting some wineries north of Suttons Bay, we saw a sign on the main road pointing towards a winery located at 7788 E. Horn Road. A little stucco building with a sitting patio outside called Circa Estate Winery. As we entered, our eyes immediately dialated to adjust to the dimly lit interior. A roomy reception room, with marble floors, a beautiful marble bar with large mirror tilted down towards it on the wall behind, complete with chamber music playing, and a grand piano off to the side. Circa Estate Winery. Sunlight came through the windows in the afternoon, and we were immediately greeted by a friendly, attentive woman behind the bar. This winery just opened the beginning of this year. The tastings were in full sized glasses appropriate for the wines, and no fees at this time. Just 6 wines being specialized in at this winery, our favorite was a white blend they label as Improvisation. The 2007 Improvisation is a Gold Medal winner in the 2009 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition. Not sweet, but fruity, with the taste of stone fruit or grapefruit, light to medium bodied, it fills the mouth with a clean feel. Great back porch sippin' wine on a warm night, slightly chilled. Their website is http://www.circawinery.com A great little place you must visit the next time you are in Michigan's Leelanau peninsula. The bottle is $14 retail. We had the 2006, and is hard to find outside of immediate area of the winery.

The owners do a nice job with their wines, and a very nice experience for visitors at the winery. This place, in my opinion, was definitely a found treasure.