The Newest Member of Good Harbor’s Sparkling Line: Sparkling Tocai Friulano

Good Harbor Vineyards has expanded its award-winning line of sparkling wines. Joining the John W. Simpson Sparkling Series this season is our 2023 Sparkling Tocai Friulano. 

Tocai Friulano is a relative of the popular variety Sauvignon Blanc. Friulano is native to Italy’s northeastern-most wine region, Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This is also one of Italy’s coldest regions. Outside of Italy, plantings of Tocai Friulano can be found in Slovenia, Chile, Argentina, and the Leelanau Peninsula.

Since Lake Michigan doesn’t completely freeze, it acts as a moderating influence for the surrounding temperatures and creates an ideal macro-climate, which makes the Leelanau Peninsula a great place for this variety to grow. Grapes grown near the second-largest Great Lake are typically susceptible to large amounts of snow cover which provides a protective insulating cover for the vines through the winter and into early spring. 

The Good Harbor Vineyards 2023 Sparkling Tocai Friulano is a crisp bubbly with aromatics of grapefruit, pear, and hints of peach. Its presentation is subtle on the palate which helps it pair well with pan-fried white fish with lemon butter and capers, Prosciutto with mozzarella, or roast chicken with thyme stuffing.