We celebrated the New Year by welcoming two exquisite wineries into The Petoskey Wine Region. Lost Cellars (previously Charlevoix Moon) in Charlevoix, MI, was one of them. In this blog post, we will dive into who they are and the historical story that rooted them in Northern Michigan.
The legend of Lost Cellars begins with aspirations for a new adventure and a vision of creating a life in America for Mariana. Nunzio sets sail from Carini, Sicily, bound for New Orleans. The heartbreaking departure from his love and a mere $15 to his name foretold the challenges ahead. On February 14, 1903, they journeyed to California upon reaching the United States and meeting his friend Faro. As an immigrant, the government granted Nunzio several acres under the condition that he continuously cultivated the land. True to his Sicilian roots, he planted grapes and established cellars, filling them with wine crafted from local grapes while his vineyard thrived. After two years of hard work, Nunzio returned to Sicily to marry Mariana. The following year, they returned to America via New York, only to discover their land confiscated and their cellars of wine lost.
Established in 2007, the company initially served as a vineyard, supplying local wineries with four grape varietals. In 2015, it expanded its horizons, venturing into creating and selling custom boutique wines. These award-winning, small-batch wines showcase the finest of Northern Michigan, featuring estate grapes and carefully selected local fruit to craft a sought-after collection of specialty wines. Acquired by Drs. Jay and Lora Higdon from the founder and winemaker Tom Jaenicke, known as “The Man in the Moon,” this acquisition marks the realization of the Higdons’ lifelong dream to infuse their unique take on the wine lifestyle into Charlevoix. Dr. Lora Higdon, CEO and president of Autograph | Forbes Global Properties in Traverse City, brings her successful track record of building customer-focused businesses centered around lifestyle and concierge services. This expertise will further enhance the brand and efforts of the Janickes, extending their legacy directly to consumers by adding an estate tasting room.
Add Lost Cellars to the list when coasting your way through The Petoskey Wine Region on your wine tour. Plan your tour today and experience true Northern Michigan wine at its finest!
Recent Comments