Mawby Grace Rosé

Mawby Grace Rosé is a méthode champenoise sparkling rosé wine from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, available in a standard 750ml bottle. Produced by L. Mawby—one of the Great Lakes region's most dedicated sparkling wine houses—Grace Rosé stands out for its traditional method production and a distinctive finishing step involving the addition of regent red wine at disgorgement for natural color and complexity.

Quick Facts: Style: Brut Sparkling Rosé  |  Origin: Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan  |  Method: Méthode Champenoise  |  Winery: L. Mawby

Production & Heritage

L. Mawby is a small-production winery located on the Leelanau Peninsula in northwest lower Michigan, focused exclusively on sparkling wines. Grace Rosé is built from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris—hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed, and initially fermented in stainless steel tanks before blending with reserve wines. The cuvée undergoes a second fermentation in bottle and ages en tirage before disgorgement, at which point a small quantity of regent red wine is introduced to achieve its delicate pink hue—a technique that distinguishes it from rosés made purely through skin contact or saignée methods.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with Pinot Noir-driven red fruit—fresh strawberry and ripe cherry—layered over subtle yeast-bread characteristics from extended tirage aging. A light floral lift rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: On entry, the palate delivers bright strawberry and cherry fruit in a moderately full-bodied frame, more generous than many sparkling rosés at this level. The mid-palate reveals a balance between fresh fruit vibrancy and secondary yeast-derived complexity, with fine persistent bubbles carrying the flavors forward.

Finish: The finish is crisp and clean, with lingering red berry notes and a dry, refreshing close. Acidity keeps everything taut and encourages another sip.

How to Drink Grace Rosé

Grace Rosé is best served well-chilled, around 40–45°F, in a tulip glass that concentrates its aromatics while showcasing the fine mousse. It drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif. For cocktails, its bright fruit and clean acidity make it an excellent base for a French 75, where the strawberry character pairs naturally with gin and lemon; a Kir Royale, where a touch of cassis deepens the existing red fruit notes; or a Rossini, blended with fresh strawberry purée for a fruit-forward warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Toasting at a wedding reception or anniversary dinner
• Gifting to a sparkling wine enthusiast curious about American bubbles
• Pairing with a summer brunch or charcuterie spread
• Introducing guests to Michigan's méthode champenoise wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grace Rosé taste like? Grace Rosé is a moderately full-bodied sparkling rosé with prominent strawberry and cherry fruit, fine bubbles, and a crisp, clean finish shaped by bright acidity and subtle yeast complexity.

How does Grace Rosé compare to Schramsberg Brut Rosé? Both wines use méthode champenoise and include Pinot Noir in the blend, but Schramsberg sources its fruit from California's cooler coastal regions while Grace Rosé draws entirely from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula. Grace Rosé also employs a unique step of adding regent red wine at disgorgement rather than relying solely on skin contact for color.

Is Grace Rosé good for sipping on its own? Yes—its balance of fresh red fruit, moderate body, and clean acidity makes it a satisfying standalone pour, especially well-chilled as an aperitif or celebratory toast.

Where is Grace Rosé made? Grace Rosé is produced by L. Mawby on the Leelanau Peninsula in the northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, a cool-climate region known for aromatic white and sparkling wines.

What foods pair well with Grace Rosé? Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés complement the wine's acidity and fruit; fresh strawberries with goat cheese mirror its berry aromas; duck rillettes match its moderate body; seared scallops benefit from the wine's crisp finish; and mild soft-ripened cheeses like Brie highlight the creamy mousse texture.

What sizes does Grace Rosé come in? Grace Rosé is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Grace Rosé worth the price? Grace Rosé positions as a premium domestic sparkling rosé, and the traditional method production—including bottle fermentation, tirage aging, and hand disgorgement—delivers complexity that justifies its price point relative to tank-method alternatives in the same range.

Why Grace Rosé?

What separates Grace Rosé from the crowded sparkling rosé category is its uncompromising commitment to méthode champenoise in a region most drinkers don't associate with serious bubbles. The addition of regent red wine at disgorgement is a genuinely unusual winemaking choice that contributes both color and a subtle layer of flavor not found in conventional rosé production. L. Mawby's exclusive focus on sparkling wine—rare for any American winery—means every step of the process reflects a specialist's attention. For drinkers looking beyond Champagne and California for traditional method sparkling rosé with real character, Grace Rosé makes a compelling case for Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula.