The Brengman Family Wines annual Feast of St. Vincent takes place Friday and Saturday as the local winery gives the vineyards a proper blessing for the 2025 harvest season.
“This annual event is important to the culture and agriculture of our community, and the success of the vineyards, and takes place every year just before the last threat of frost,” Brengman Family Wines said in a press release.
The main event on Saturday begins at 11:30 a.m. as the crowd gets together to go for the pilgrimage through the vineyard.
“We ask the good lord for another good year of growth,” Ed Brengman said.
This is the 15th iteration of the event and if it works, Brengman, and the entire area could be in for another stellar grape growing event.
This celebration of wine, agriculture, and tradition incorporates members of the community and spiritual guides to embrace the French tradition of “blessing” the vines.
“Pour some wine and a little scripture reading and a monk will do a reading and reflect on the vineyard and it is important to get the good vibes going for the growing season,” Brengman said.
Priests, monks, religious effigies and more will make their way around the vineyard.
Following the medieval French tradition of the Burgundy wine festival, the Saint Vincent Tournante, the Brengman family carries on this spiritual tradition each year, before the threat of the last frost. During the Feast of St. Vincent, held on May 3rd, a procession of over 100 club members, family, friends, and visitors walk from the tasting room through the vineyards to bless the vines and the growing season to come. Carrying banners and carved effigies honoring St. Vincent, special guests include Monk Ribby and Decon Jude, who will lead the charge and prayers. Guest musicians Mark and Carl will join in with entertainment throughout the event. While the celebration has religious roots, the event is spiritual in nature and meant to embrace everyone who shares a passion for wine and community. A true feast follows the processional, with the celebrated Detroit-area chef and family member Joe Bologna, providing a smorgasbord luncheon not to miss.
Brengman Family Wines is located on Crain Hill Road just north of Traverse City, MI, on the Leelanau Peninsula. They specialize in hand-crafted estate-grown wine utilizing naturally harvested yeast and traditional wine making practices. Feed your soul with wine and your body with handmade farmto- table dishes in an experience to be cherished for a lifetime.
