Ciccone Vineyard and Winery's Blog (9)

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So its been a little while since I have sat and written 'a blog' and yes this started as a "whining" blog but I don't have much to "whine" about right now, because Ciccone Vineyards is flying high! I guess this is what Mary Lou Retton or Michael Phelps felt like standing on the Olympic Gold Medal stands receiving that red, white and blue ribbon with the shiny, heavy piece of gold attached to it. A sense of accomplishment, pride or even a little bit of greed, that feeling of wanting to stick you… Continue

Guh - vertz - trah - meener Meaning - Spiced Traminer The history of this grape is a bit complicated. It is most commonly known for its German orientation. Hence the odd sound, hard to say name. But it originally started in Italy in a little village name Tramin. It is a pinkish hued grape that produces naturally sweet, light, crisp and fruity. It is a bit fussy about its soil and climate. It buds early, which means it is susceptible to frost, but it needs dry warm summers, but will do okay in… Continue

Well officially it has been spring now for 28 days but in Northern Michigan that usually doesn't mean a whole lot! Yes we had some good days then there were the days that just a sprinkle of white dust would throw us into a downward spiral. But it seems with these days that are hitting close to 60 degrees us Northerner's are bringing out the shorts, the sandals and the patio furniture! As for what this all means for us here at Ciccone Vineyards well it means getting ready for summer. We pruned t… Continue

So if haven't been hiding under a rock then almost any newspaper, radio station and TV show is saying that we are in a economic "crisis" (there word not mine) so of course we are cutting back on things in our life which can be a good thing but let us not sacrifice a good time with good food, good friends and good wine! To plan a beautiful, classic and simple evening: 1. Pick a night - usually on a Friday or Saturday works but sometimes look at a Tuesday or Wednesday to break up the monotonous… Continue

So I have been a little perplexed lately trying to figure out what to write about this time around. I got the first two issues out just fine it was almost like I had been waiting to let those things off of my shoulders. The third post was my little venture into education which I thought was okay but just not as fun as "whining" about things like customers, employees or even bosses! So I started brainstorming about things that I love like movies, books or magazines and how to attach them to wine… Continue

How about a little education. I don't consider myself an expert nor am I a dunce when it comes to wine. I have learned quite a bit from the owner and winemaker Tony Ciccone. He is always willing to answer my question about something I don't know and he is quick to praise when I can find a certain aroma in the wine (which I have discovered I have quite a nose). So today class we are going to be learning about a grape called Dolcetto (dole-CHEH-toh). This roughly translates in Italian to "little… Continue

So my first blog wasn't so bad so I thought I would continue... this issue will be about some of the "odd" questions or conversations that we have experienced at Ciccone Vineyards during our tasting hours or on the phone. When we have those busy days in the summer at the end of the day after we have locked the door and poured a glass of wine we usually sit and compare the stories of what happened to each of us throughout the day, it is always good for a laugh! 1) This conversation works right n… Continue

Let me introduce myself I am Jaclyn Eikey Tasting Room Manager ( secretary, personal assistant, events mangager) all around person at Ciccone Vineyard and Winery I have been with Ciccone Vineyards for almost four years and I couldn't ask for a more fun job. I have learned so much in this business and I can't wait to learn more. This is my very first wine blog ever, let alone blogging about my days at Ciccone's. So if you read and care great, if you don't read or don't care oh well.... For this… Continue