The first of four seasonal wine touring weekends hosted by wineries who are members of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintner’s Association in 2008 will be held in February.

“Taste the Passion” weekend will be held Feb. 9-10 and is designed as an early celebration of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. The weekend will include chocolate treats and special pours at county wineries between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10.

Participating wineries will also hold special events for “Taste the Passion” ticket-holders. The events include a snowshoe hike through the vineyards at Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery and Black Star Farms, cross country skiing through vineyard trails at Chateau Fontaine, a miniature snowman-making contest at Shady Lane Cellars, a cocktail party on Saturday night at Ciccone Vineyards, and a vineyard snow angel contest at L. Mawby Vineyard.

Tickets for “Taste the Passion” are $30 and may be purchased online at www.lpwines.com. In addition, all participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three romantic weekend packages.