The First Pour: Nouveau au Chateau

A Celebration of the 2026 Vintage Every November, the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau marks one of France’s most spirited wine traditions. Released on the third Thursday of November, the first wine of the new harvest is welcomed with celebrations that bring together winemakers, friends and communities to toast the vintage. This year, Chateau Grand Traverse brings its own interpretation of that tradition to Northern Michigan. On Thursday, November 19, the Nouveau est arrivé! For one night, Chateau Grand Traverse will transform its Tasting Room, Barrel Room and Covered Patio into a private, French countryside-inspired celebration of the 2026 harvest. Guests are invited to move throughout the spaces, enjoying exceptional wines, French-inspired culinary stations, live music from Swingbone North and the convivial spirit that has made Nouveau celebrations a beloved tradition for generations. At the center of the evening is the first public pouring of our 2026 Gamay Noir Nouveau, crafted from estate-grown fruit and bottled just weeks after harvest. Fresh, vibrant and exuberantly fruit-forward, Nouveau captures the earliest expression of the vintage, a wine meant to be shared and enjoyed in the moment. This year’s release also marks the first vintage under Winemaker Virginia Usher, who will join us to meet guests and celebrate her first Northern Michigan harvest. An Evening of French-Inspired Food & Wine Executive Chef Keil Moshier has created an expansive menu inspired by the flavors and traditions of French wine country. Guests are invited to mingle throughout the transformed Tasting Room, exploring chef-attended culinary stations and enjoying an assortment of offerings throughout the evening, including: Oysters on the half shell Pâté en croûte Chicken liver mousse with truffle Chilled poached salmon with lemon, dill, crème fraîche and caviar Tarte à la tomate Assorted French meats and cheeses Black olive and fig tapenade with mint on toasted…