Declining orchard fruit prices in the 1990s caused fourth generation Old Mission Peninsula cherry and apple growers Joan and Dave Kroupa to diversify their 250-acre farm. Today, the Kroupas, who named their winery Peninsula Cellars and produce 7,500 cases annually, have 20 planted acres; half to Riesling and the remainder to Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Lemberger. Cabernet Sauvignon was planted as an experiment. Now seven years old, these grapes were first used in vintage 2005.

Peninsula Cellars consulting winemaker Bryan Ulbrich details how Peninsula Cellars came to be recognized as one of the leading award-winning producers from Michigan's Old Mission Peninsula AVA. Ulbrich, the former Peninsula Cellars day-to-day winemaker has passed these reins to his sister Emily, who has assisted him in the vineyards and winery for the last seven years.

Ulbrich will now concentrate more on his own winery Left Foot Charley in Traverse City, Michigan. For Left Foot, all wines, including dry, semi-dry and vineyard-designated dessert-style Riesling and Pinot Blanc will be sourced from growers in the Old Mission Peninsula AVA. Ulbrich has sunk deep roots at Peninsula Cellars and before he concentrates on Left Foot Charley, we asked him to detail a few particulars about Peninsula Cellars.