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Who is the winemaker behind Loose Cannon?
Tony Jacobson is the founder and winemaker of Loose Cannon. With over a decade of experience and a master’s degree in Enology specializing in sparkling wine, Tony is a pioneer dedicated to proving Michigan’s potential for world-class sparkling wine.
What’s the story behind the name "Loose Cannon"?
The name Loose Cannon started as a nod to Tony's college-era punk-rock ethos and his homebrewing days. Today, it embodies the bold, unapologetic spirit required to launch a sparkling wine brand from scratch in a region largely unproven in this category. It's a statement of our pioneering conviction.
What is the story behind your inaugural wine, "Phoenix"?
Our inaugural wine, Phoenix, is a deeply personal project. After an abrupt career shift, Tony founded Loose Cannon as his independent manifesto. The name and hand-drawn phoenix on the label represent his rebirth as an independent producer, rising from the ashes to create something truly his own.
Why Traverse City & Northern Michigan?
While our wines are a celebration of Northern Michigan as a whole, our roots are firmly planted in the Traverse City area. The region's unique cool-climate viticulture, shaped by the influence of Lake Michigan and the sandy soils of the Leelanau Peninsula, is what makes it a world-class contender for sparkling wine. We are proud to be part of the vibrant and growing Traverse City wine community, where a perfect storm of climate and terroir is like fitting a round peg into a round hole for sparkling wine production.
What is your approach to winemaking?
I start with a stylistic goal and work backwards to achieve it. After everything is thought of I go over the draft protocol and think, does this process, or these methods add enough complexity to make the wine multidimensional. A clean fermentation simply isn't enough for Loose Cannon. My wines are made with a commitment to traditional bottle fermentation and extended aging on the lees. These are some of the steps I use to build the complexity I believe is a hallmark of world-class sparkling wine.
What is the "untraditional method" you mention?
This is a technique we use for our early-release sparkling wines that falls somewhere between the Pet Nat and Traditional Method styles. It is designed to produce wines that are both fruity and expressive while still reflecting the technical skill and drama of bottle fermentation.
What types of grapes do you use?
Our focus is on creating exceptional examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two classic sparkling wine grapes. We also champion cold-hardy varieties like Vignoles to highlight the unique potential of Michigan's terroir.
What is your flagship wine?
Our inaugural wine, Phoenix, is our flagship. It's a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that represents the heart of our brand and the world-class quality we aim to achieve.
Where can I buy Loose Cannon wines?
We do not have a public tasting room at this time. Our wines are available at select fine wine shops and restaurants throughout Michigan. We also offer direct-to-consumer sales through our website with shipping available to 39 states.
What kind of experience do you want to provide customers?
We want you to feel a connection to our story and the audacious spirit of the brand. Our goal is for Loose Cannon to become a domestic sparkling wine of choice, a brand that earns repeat customers and is seen as a serious, compelling alternative to international options.
What states can you ship to?
We can ship anywhere in the midwest (except SD). Just a handful of southern and eastern states are not covered by our shipper. Here's where we can ship to:
AK AZ CO DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MO NE NV NH NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA SC TN TX VT WA WV WI WY