Extend the Fat Tuesday Celebration and travel to the village of Northport the northernmost place on the Leelanau peninsula in northern lower Michigan for fun this weekend. Make it a weekend or overnight stay and experience some of the best Midwest wines available from this fertile county in Michigan. With over 19 wineries located on the Leelanau peninsula you're sure to have an experience in tasting that could last at least two days!

Carnival activities in Northport begin on Saturday with a snowmobile Poker Run at 11 a.m. (cost $10) and a chili cookoff at 11:30 followed by Curling and Broomball competitions, snowshoe races, cardboard sled races and outhouse races. Hmmm, sounds interesting or amusing to say the least.

Maybe visit a couple of wineries before you attend the Carnival and it could be really fun!

Wineries in the Leelanau peninsula are well marked by a wine trail map that you can pick up in Glen Arbor at the Cherry Republicwhich is a stop you can't miss with all of their cherry products like bbq sauce, nut and cherry mixes, chocolate, and of course, wine. There are some nice b&b's as well as the beautiful Homestead Resort to stay during your Northern Michigan wine adventure or try The Inn at Black Star Farms a luxurious b&b in Sutton's Bay area close to at least six wineries including Black Star Farms own winery with large tasting room and creamery for homemade cheeses. In fact, Black Star Farms served their special ice wine at the White House Governor's Dinner this week. Besides the luscious white and red wines (try the Red House Red, my favorite) the dessert wines are spectacular, especially the Sirius Maple Dessert Wine and the Sirius Cherry Dessert Wine. Although I have not tried their spirits, I understand that those are nice (or naughty!) too.

Other great wineries right in the area are Forty-Five North, Shady Lane Cellars, Ciccone Vineyards, Good Harbor Vineyards, L. Mawby, Willow Vineyards, Chateau de Leelanau,Chateau Fontaine, Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery, and Longview Winery.In the Northport vicinity there's also Leelanau Cellars, Good Neighbor Organic, and Gill's Pier.

For restaurants I'd suggest North on M-22 or The Homestead Resort's Nonna's for a fine meal. My only question is "where are the Michigan wines on the menu"? For breakfast, if you're not staying at a b&b you must try The Early Bird in Leland for a robust breakfast - it's great and entertaining, too. The wait staff are serious and busy so don't get in their way!

Look for more in the next few weeks about Leelanau penisula on GreatFoodandTravel.com. It's a special place and one of my favorite spots for a getaway.