"City of Riesling" This July

Get ready for more wine to be celebrated in TC. A new summer event – focused on a singular wine varietal – is coming to Traverse City the end of July.

Called City of Riesling, the inaugural event is the creation of winemaker Sean O'Keefe of Chateau Grand Traverse, restaurateur and sommelier Amanda Danielson of Trattoria Stella and The Franklin, and wine writer Stuart Pigott – who calls Riesling "the best white wine on earth."

The main event happens Sunday, July 27, kicking off with a Riesling Oyster Riot at The Little Fleet, presented by Michael Peterson of Siren Hall. The celebration then moves to Clinch Park for The Night of 100 Rieslings, which begins with the world premier screening of Watch Your Back – A Riesling Movie, a short film by Pigott, at the Bijou By the Bay. The fun then flows to a popup bar that will feature 100 Rieslings from the local peninsulas as well as from around the globe. The bar will be staffed by professionals showcasing the stars of the Riesling world. Michigan music and tastes will be the accompaniments.

City of Riesling wraps up on Monday, July 28, with an afternoon release party for Pigott's new book, Best White Wine On Earth: The Riesling Story. It will include a TED-style talk along with tastings of Rieslings paired with food at The Franklin.

Pigott paid a visit to Traverse City last fall (following up an inaugural visit in 2010) as part of a Riesling road trip that ultimately became this new book. He has described northern Michigan as a place "where some of the best Riesling wines in America are produced."

Tickets to the events will be sold individually and will be available soon, according to event organizers. In the meantime, those interested in specific events can sign up online to be notified when tickets go on sale.