Premier Showing of "Wine First"

Tickets for Premiere Showing of Wine First

Available Now at State Theatre

Traverse City, Mich. — A nationwide premiere of a public television program that spotlights the Traverse City wine scene will take place next month at the State Theatre in Traverse City. Free tickets are available now for the unveiling of the show Wine First. The program was shot last year, and will be shown for the first time. 

A Norway-based television production company came to Traverse City in a search to find the most beautiful wine regions of the world. The program attempts to find local ingredients that can be matched with local wines to create a food combination prepared by a local chef. Ultimately the program puts the primary emphasis on the wine.

The show airs next month on nearly all public television stations around the country, plus it will be picked up on some international stations. Show hosts include sommeliers Liora Levi and Maya Samuelson and they are joined by food enthusiast Yolanda Ano. This was their first visit to northern Michigan, and their first deep dive into the wines of the region.

“We absolutely dare to compare the quality of northern Michigan wines with some of the finest regions around the country,” said Sherri Campbell-Fenton, President of Traverse Wine Coast. “When you pair our wines with fresh local food, the region’s expression of unique and special flavor profiles from our vineyards and terroir truly shine.”

During the show, the hosts tasted wines from Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate and Black Star Farms. They selected one wine from each location and asked the Executive Chef of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Auston Minnich, to prepare a meal around the wine using key local ingredients. While in Traverse City, the hosts explored the region by playing in Lake Michigan, walking through cherry orchards, and shopped for local cherry products.

“We were able to showcase this extraordinary region to a huge audience,” said Traverse City Tourism President, Trevor Tkach (Tah-koch). “The hosts knew practically nothing about this area when they first arrived. By the time they left they had a tremendous appreciation for the beauty of the region and the quality of the wines.”

A panel of local participants will talk about their experience with the production after the showing.  

Production of the show is supported in part through Pure Michigan and Traverse City Tourism. More information is available at http://www.traversecity.com./