Brio by Shady Lane Cellars debuts July 1 at Northern Michigan winery
SUTTON’S BAY, MICH. (June 29, 2020) – At Shady Lane Cellars, staff has been busy not just bottling wines, but canning them, too.
The Leelenau Peninsula-based winery is preparing to debut a new brand under the Shady Lane Cellars label July 1, 2020. It’s called Brio and will feature not only bottles but cans of wine for the first time.
“Brio means enthusiastic, vibrant, bright, exciting,” said Rick DeBlasio, general manager. “It felt like a fun and whimsical name. By definition, it’s a one-word description of how we talk about cool climate wines. It encapsulates it all.”
Brio by Shady Lane Cellars carries the tagline “Wine with vivacity from Michigan’s Leelenau Peninsula.” Debuting at the winery first, DeBlasio said the winery intends to expand access to these wines through wholesale across Michigan and later in areas of Indiana and Illinois.
“Brio is meant for the beach, boat, bike rides, camping, even book clubs,” said DeBlasio. “And it’s still 100 percent estate-grown, handcrafted from the ground up. The packaging is new, but it doesn’t mean our mission has changed.”
It’s made to suit the times, too.
DeBlasio said it’s perfectly packaged to take along and enjoy safely, or to “distance responsibly.” Each can is equivalent to two glasses of wine. So it’s possible to take to a quiet beach, enjoy on a boat in the middle of the lake or while playing golf on a quiet course. As wine drinkers return safely to some of the things we enjoy most, it’s easy to grab a single or a four-pack to go.
Canned wine is something the staff at Shady Lane Cellars has discussed for some time. To see it now come to fruition is exciting, DeBlasio said.
“It’s really accessible,” he added. “It’s packing size, sustainable, easily recyclable and offers more options for an active lifestyle. You can mix and match varieties.”
To start, Brio by Shady Lane Cellars will come in three canned varieties:
- Brio Rosepairs perfectly with Michigan summer bringing flavors of fresh berries, white peach and tangerine. Its color is reminiscent of a pink sky rising over the lake at sunset. Its ABV is 11 percent.
- Brio Bubbly Vibesis meant for everyday celebrations. Strawberries and cream ride on a melody of crisp bubbles to a key lime finish. Now is the time to celebrate, even the little things. And this is the wine to take along. Its ABV is 10.5 percent.
- Brio Cideris crisp, clean and made from heritage Michigan apples. Aromatics of orchard blossoms flow into flavors of tart cherry and vanilla. It finishes with subtle pear-like tannins. Its ABV is 6.7 percent
Cans are $7 each, or available by the 4-pack at the winery. Cans contain two servings, the equivalent of half a bottle of wine, and are perfect to share.
“It’s hard to put a glass of wine in a koozie,” said DeBlasio. “With Brio, you no longer need to carry your Yeti with you or worry about broken glass.
Brio by Shady Lane Cellars will also feature one bottled variety – Brio Red. Brio Red brings the aromas and flavors of raspberry reduction, cherry preserves and warm baking spice. It finishes with soft and velvet-like tannins and is a food-loving blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Its ABV is will be 12 percent.
Order it online at www.shadylanecellars.com.
ABOUT SHADY LANE CELLARS
Located at 9580 E. Shady Lane in Suttons Bay, Mich., Shady Lane Cellars produces one of the largest percentages of estate-grown wine in its region. Offering hilltop views of the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, the winery and its staff create a comfortable approach to wine.
The winery was founded in 1999. Since 2017 all Shady Lane Cellars wines are 100 percent estate-grown. Visit www.shadylanecellars.com.
