Background

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits + Fox Fine Wine

Leelanau Peninsula

Verterra was established in 2006 and we craft wines that capture the essence of the Leelanau Peninsula AVA in Michigan.  Estate vineyards are nestled on a peninsula along the 45th parallel surrounded by the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan. At Verterra, meaning 'true to the land,' we believe that outstanding wines begin in the vineyard. From meticulously chosen elevated vineyard sites to the careful selection of vinifera clones to sustainable vineyard practices, we ensure that each grape embodies the uniqueness of our region.  Our collection of elegant reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines showcases the richness and diversity of our vineyards, reflecting the true essence of the Leelanau Peninsula.

United States

Verterra Winery

Cabernet Franc

Chardonnay

Gewürztraminer

Malbec

Merlot

Muscat Ottonel

Petit Verdot

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Noir

Riesling

Vignoles

Geoff is a graduate of Indiana University and Washington State University Enology program and is Co-Owner and General Manager of Verterra Winery.  Geoff is a 9th generation farmer in Michigan and he resides on the Swede Vineyard with his wife Megan and two children.  Prior to starting Verterra Winery, Mr. Hamelin was a global consultant for Accenture and IBM for over 20 years.  Geoff is also the current President of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail representing 21 wineries in the Leelanau AVA.  

Geoff Hamelin

Paul Hamelin grew up in Lansing, Michigan and vacationed in the Leelanau Peninsula as a child in the late 60’s.  After graduating from Michigan State University, he earned a Pharmacy degree from Ferris State University in 1980.  Paul’s professional carrier spanned over 30 years in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry. He worked for several Fortune 100 global companies such as Eli Lilly, Abbott, Searle, and Pfizer living both domestically and internationally at various times in his career.  From 2001-2011 Paul was the CEO of two US biotech companies.

After collecting wines and visiting wine regions around the world, with his wife Marty who he has been married to for 47 years, decided to devote their passion for wine by creating a new winery in the Leelanau peninsula, Michigan, where they had vacationed for decades.  Paul and Marty’s son Geoff is Co-owner and General Manager of the winery, he has been an integral part of founding the company from the beginning. In addition, another son Ryan and 9 other family members also have contributed their passion and creativity to the winery in different capacities. 

Paul Hamelin

Fruit from 3 vineyards are co-fermented and aged in French oak to create this elegant, dry, medium ruby wine.  Enjoy now or let time take its youthfulness and enjoy through 2035

White

Pinot Gris is a softer, more complex version of the widely popular Italian style Pinot Grigio which tends to be lighter and more zesty.

Pinot Gris

Vignoles Blend

This wine is a 'chaotic' blend of white wine grapes harvested off of our estate vineyards.  It expresses a tropical fruit nose and a perfect balance between acid and residual sweetness

Chaos White

Our Reserve Chardonnay spends its entire life in French Oak.  It is a complex wine expressing fruit notes, with a rounded acidity from the malolactic fermentation and with a nice subtle hint of toast.

Reserve Chardonnay

Rosé

Rose of Merlot offers undeniable strawberry notes followed by a smooth, creamy finish.   At 0.5% residual sugar this wine is dry and fruity.  Perfect for sipping on the deck or the boat.   

Rose of Merlot

Red Blend

Very popular medium bodied red made in an easy to drink style.

Chaos Red

Cool climate Pinot Noir at its finest.  Elegant light ruby, red berries and cherries on the nose and beautiful finish.

Brut

Charmat method sparkling wine made from Pinot Grigio and Vignoles.   Brut in style this is wine is perfect for your next celebration

Chaos Sparkler

White Blend

Classic Pinot Grigio this dry, lighter bodied wine is pale yellow with a wonderful green apple and citrus nose.  It is clean and crisp with a palate cleansing acidity that makes it perfect for pairing with your favorite poultry, light pasta and seafood dish.

Won Best Riesling and Best Dry White Wine at the Michigan Wine Competition.  Expressive tropical and peach and a fresh acidity on the palate that make everything play together perfectly. 

Dry Riesling

Sparkling

This light pink bubbly is made in the charmat method.  It is finished brut in style creating a refreshing, dry, light and fruity wine.

Chaos Sparkling Rose

Estate Merlot and Cabernet Franc aged in French oak are blended just before bottling to yield a medium ruby wine with hints of leather, cherry and blackberry.  Excellent now but patience will be rewarded over the next 7-10 years.  

Reserve Red Cab/Merlot

Very limited production, people go crazy over this wine every year.  The honeydew melon hits you on the nose before the taste of red fruit and raspberries washes over the palette.   Elegant wine that works with food or relaxing outside on a beautiful summer day.  

Rose of Cabernet Franc

Beautiful aromatic wine that expresses hints of mango and papaya on the nose, delicate summer berries on the palate accompanied by a dry, mouthwatering crisp finish.

Rose of Pinot Noir

We experimented in 2012 and planted 2 acres of Malbec on a hot, east facing slope.  Several of the vines declared they didn't like Michigan winters but the rest have thrived.  Huge dark purple clusters hang until late-October before being transformed into a cool climate expression of this classic varietal.

Fortified

Cherry wine infused with raspberries, fortified with brandy and aged in oak barrels. Perfect after a cold day or with a decadent dessert.

Cherraz Dessert Wine

Extra Dry

Bubbly.  Pink.  Floral.  Fun.  Live each day to the fullest.  

A dry Gewurztraminer with beautiful floral, rose petal nose with pineapple and tropical fruit on the palate.  Elegant and rich, this Gewurztraminer is a new world demonstration of a classic.  

Gewurztraminer

A true crowd favorite.  Tropical fruits and honeysuckle dominate this steel fermented Chardonnay. Look for a touch of white pepper on the nose in this tangy Chardonnay.

Unoaked Chardonnay

Vignoles is grown at our Swede vineyard and sits down in a lower area that is more frost prone.  Vignoles thrives in the low sandy, well drained soil as bud break is typically later than other varietals and it ripens earlier.  This wine has a bright acidity, countered by a residual sugar to create balance. Stone fruit notes make this a very appealing wine and top seller.

Late Harvest Vignoles

Pinot Blanc is one of our most popular wines (it won Best Dry White Wine in Michigan the 2 years our Dry Riesling didn't take home the award) and shines in its representation of cool climate whites that we are known for.  This grape really shines here on the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan producing a lush, fruit forward wine ready to be consumed the moment it is bottled.  Dry, complex, and great with seafood and white sauce pastas.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used in this brut style, traditional method Champagne.  This wine spent 3+ years on lees before disgorging and bottling.  Ripe green apple and fresh bread on the nose this wine will age well for another decade or more.  

Verterra Brut

Off-dry with pear and apple flavors, this Riesling is backed with a subtle acidity that harmonizes the wine.  Great with spicier foods and a favorite with spicy Thai stir fry. 

Verterra Winery

United States

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Great Lakes Wine & Spirits + Fox Fine Wine

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