Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie-Chantal Dalese.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn was founded by my parents, a former Catholic nun and priest, Bob & Nadine Begin. We moved from Detroit to Traverse City in the 1980’s, bought a 65 acre cherry farm with spectacular views and slopes beneficial to wine grape growing to pursue Bob’s dream of a European style winery/chateau. Opening in 1993, we began with 3 Bed & Breakfast rooms, winery, tasting room and family home uniquely all contained in the same purpose built building. Expanding in 2003 to 12 total rooms and adding production capacity to 20,000 cases, the original vision was complete. Bob, at 91, still resides in the home above the tasting room, providing winery tours to guests daily.
I’ve been a part of the winery full time since 2009, previously working in the Chicago wine market and attending a graduate level wine business program in Adelaide, Australia. With a passion for the wines of the world, I continue to move the company forward with NA wines, new events, partnerships and ways to remain relevant in today’s alcohol industry. We’re in a spectacular part of Michigan that I love to show off to visitors, and show them what Michigan wine can do on a global stage.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When you start with agriculture and Mother Nature, the road is never smooth. Add to that regulatory challenges from every level – federal, state and local, labor shortages, a pandemic, crop losses, oversupply and declining alcohol sales, an expensive and capital intense business, the evolution of consumer demographics, increased competition, distribution consolidation…it’s a long list and I’ve likely not mentioned all of the struggles.
What makes it all work (usually!) is a very strong team – both from our shareholder/Board of Directors position and that of our long term employees. Many folks here have worked for the company 20, 30+ years. This team of dynamic people have reinvented the company over several times to keep ahead of industry challenges and trends, never leaving sight of our goal to be the “icon of the Midwest,” serving guests with Northern Hospitality and genuine care for our craft.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn?
Chateau Chantal is one of Michigan’s most recognized winery and hospitality destinations, located on the scenic Old Mission Peninsula overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, with unique views of both bays! For nearly four decades, we have been dedicated to producing world-class wines while creating memorable experiences that showcase our regional beauty and approach to Northern Hospitality.
What sets Chateau Chantal apart is that we are much more than a winery. We combine an award-winning winery, a luxury 12-room bed and breakfast, culinary experiences, vineyard tours, and special events, including weddings, into one destination. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting, stay overnight among the vineyards, dine with panoramic bay views, and experience the best of Michigan wine country all in one place.
We specialize in cool-climate wines that thrive in Northern Michigan’s unique growing conditions. Our portfolio includes Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wines, and innovative specialty offerings that reflect both our region and our commitment to quality. Our wines have earned recognition at prestigious national and international competitions, demonstrating that Michigan wines can compete on a global stage. We are the location for the first planting of 4 new varietals knows as “Piwis,” short for a German word meaning “disease resistant.” These vines were bred to require less sprays to combat the mildews that can plague a vineyard in our climate.
Our brand is built on hospitality. We strive to make every guest feel welcomed, whether they are visiting for the first time or returning as longtime members of our wine club. We believe wine should be approachable, enjoyable, and connected to the people and places that produce it.
What we are most proud of is our role in helping establish Northern Michigan as a premier wine destination. Chateau Chantal has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years and has introduced many consumers to Michigan wine for the very first time. We are proud to represent the quality, innovation, and hospitality that define our state’s wine industry. We have also been highly involved in all aspects of the wine and tourism industry boards from local wine trail leadership, state and national board membership at Wine America.
Our readers should know that Chateau Chantal continues to invest in the future of Michigan wine through vineyard improvements, sustainable growing practices, exceptional guest experiences, and a commitment to producing wines that authentically express the character of Old Mission Peninsula. Whether guests visit for a tasting, a weekend getaway, a wine dinner, or a special celebration, our goal is to create experiences that are every bit as memorable as the wines themselves.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am a big fan of visiting wine regions – not only can I learn about the great wine, but wine acts as a doorway into a culture – a great way to experience a region’s food, people, traditions and history. To that end, I love travel podcasts and learning about secret tips to visit in various countries. I still love a good magazine, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast top my list of regular reads – plus trying new recipes and pairings that they suggest.
Pricing:
- Wines starting from $18/bottle
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chateauchantal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chateau.chantal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChateauChantalWine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chateauchantal
