Openings and expansions have been afoot near the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, with the debut of Olean’s (and Jo’Lean) over the weekend, and the owners at Michigan Hop Alliance announcing a “100 percent increase” in processing capabilities at their Omena production facility. Now, Leelanau wine country’s newest arrival, Dune Bird, has opened its doors to the community, with a tasting room, full espresso bar, a tiny kitchen offering small plates, and — a boon for locals — late weekend hours.

“It’s been a wild ride since we bought the project in the spring and started renovating what many remember as the old Gills Pier Winery turned Gills Pier Ranch,” says Dune Bird managing partner/owner Nicole White.

Nicole and Bo White along with their young family purchased the 53-acre yak and alpaca farm between Leland and Northport with plans to revive its winery/tasting room roots (the property is also home to a 20-year old vineyard) and create “a new hangout spot” for Leelanau County.

Explains White, “What propelled us to venture into this uncharted territory was a desire to create a unique gathering space in this area of Leelanau County, where there just isn’t much. We also felt like there had to be others who would appreciate the same things we wanted:  a place open year-round with later hours, geared just as much toward the local as the tourist, a place that has really comfortable chairs, good lighting, offers small hot plates…and isn’t centered just around alcohol.”

Dune Bird serves both wine and coffee drinks and “has that ‘going out’ feel,” shares White, “but also is just as warm and inviting to those who don’t drink. Just one of the many ironies of us buying a winery is that Bo doesn’t even drink.” 

Indeed, she notes they do not have family roots in the industry, nor experience in farming, and likens the leap into vineyard and winery operations to “learning from a firehose. We have been fortunate to be surrounded by a tight community of wineries who have been so collaborative, encouraging, and supportive.”

Dune Bird also has partnered with a small team of local wine industry and vineyard management experts, says White.

When the Whites moved to northern Michigan five years ago, it was a “coming home” for Bo, who has longtime family roots not far from the winery location. At that time the family had been active-duty military for over a decade and dreamed of leaving a life of constant deployments, says White. “But it’s not the easiest thing to make a living in Leelanau County, so the last few years saw Bo working overseas and our family separated about 50 percent of the time.”

Last January, they finally committed to creating a local business.

The transition from military life to winery entrepreneurs may seem idyllic at the outset — it did to the Whites too. “I’ll admit, this year we have worked harder than we ever have, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t full of challenges.” They have documented their experiences on social media, which included massive changes in their living situation (the family went from living in the Hangar House in Bohemian Valley to a fixer-upper farmhouse in Maple City to an RV housed in one of the winery’s outbuildings). “Honestly, the RV has been more than sufficient. We are learning constantly what is truly important and all that we really don’t need.”

White adds, “the incredible thing about living in Leelanau County, we are surrounded by all sorts of other envelope-pushing entrepreneurs, dreamers and visionaries. It’s been inspiring to watch others — young families especially — pushing the status quo, risking a lot, dreaming big, figuring it out. This county is full of it, and it is invigorating.” 

Now the goal at Dune Bird is to create a highly approachable, warm environment: “We love wine and coffee, for sure, but our passion is actually bringing people together.” She says of the coffee bar, “we wanted to elevate coffee to an equal playing field.”

An onsite kitchen offers hot small plates such as gouda mac & cheese balls and spanakopita with tzatziki.

Dune Bird’s wine lineup at its launch includes a sparkling made from 100 percent Pinot Gris, a late harvest Riesling, and an unoaked Chardonnay. Their full-bodied red blend is called AV8 and a Syrah/Merlot blend is named after Northport aviator Clinton Woolsey.

“Dune Bird” is a nod to nearby Houdek Dunes and the fact that “Bo is a pilot,” says White. The aviation theme found its way into a several elements at the winery. (A giant nod to this is in one of the restrooms; be sure to check it out.) 

The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday. “We committed to being open late on the weekends…until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. People are really surprised and loving that,” says White.

Here, check out a deeply comforting vegetarian recipe that calls for a splash or two of Dune Bird’s dry red blend AV8.