Pop singer Madonna's family vineyard, winery and estate in Northern Michigan is for sale

A Michigan winery and home — described as a "sprawling estate" — that has been in pop singer Madonna’s family for years is getting some international attention because it has been on the market this summer for nearly $5 million.

The property’s listing agent, Blake Bernard, told the Free Press there has been "tons of interest," especially after recent news reports featuring the nearly 80 acres and a 3,520-square-foot home, although it’s difficult to know how many of the callers are serious about purchasing it.

A recent headline in the British national tabloid, the Mirror, recently screamed: "Inside Madonna's family vineyard and winery on Lake Michigan selling for ￡4million." Although the report mostly just details what’s in the property’s website listing.

The Mirror said the Michigan native who became a global music star is "believed to have spent time at the property in recent years," including a visit to a family gathering in 2021 to celebrate the 90^th birthday of her father, Silvio (Tony) Ciccone.

"Ciccone Vineyard, Winery for sale," a more subdued article headline read last month in the Traverse City Record Eagle. That report noted that the vineyard was started by Joan and Tony Ciccone.

Tony Ciccone still acts as a business consultant for the property, at 10343 E. Hilltop Road in Suttons Bay, the reports said, adding that the vineyard’s operations have "been passed on to his children." The asking price for the property is $4,925,000.

Ciccone Vineyard and Winery website says the business was "among the first 10 wineries in Leelanau County." Other area wineries include, L. Mawby, Bel Lago, Willow, Black Star Farms, and Boskydel, which was the first in the county but no longer operates.

Michigan girl to global star

Last month, the Free Press reported Madonna announced she was postponing the North American leg of her "Celebration" tour, which was originally due to stop in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. She was recovering from a serious illness that landed her in a New York intensive care unit.

Born in Bay City, Madonna grew up in the Detroit suburbs.

Her paternal grandparents were Italian immigrants. Her mother was a descendent of French-Canadians.

Her father, according to the winery website served in the Air Force, earned a physics degree from Geneva College, and went on to work for Chrysler and then General Dynamics. His wife, Joan ran a daycare out of their home, and Tony "always had a couple rows of grapevines in the back yard," carrying on his father’s winemaking tradition.

In high school, Madonna reportedly was an "A" student and cheerleader. She attended the University of Michigan until she dropped out and moved to New York.

And then found stardom, with songs like "Material Girl," "Papa Don’t Preach" and "Like a Virgin."

She now owns several homes worldwide, including one in England.

A father's dream come true

When Joan and Tony Ciccone retired, they went Up North to operate a vineyard.

It had been Tony Ciccone's dream to own and operate a vineyard, the winery's website notes. The couple planted the first five acres of grapes by hand. The grape varieties included Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Gewürztraminer.

Another website describing the vineyard for sale, called it an "incredibly picturesque property" in an "ideal location," and a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." It also referred to the business as successful, with its wines distributed to and sold in 45 states.

The Michigan property also includes "home or bed and breakfast accommodations."

The listing said the house was built in the 1990s, has 5 bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms, a large open main-level floor plan, a kitchen with "many updates, including newer cabinets and counters," and "gorgeous views in all directions" of the bay and vineyards.

In addition to the existing operation and home, the listing said, there is expansion potential, with plans that can be shared with the new owner that include an onsite café, new production building, and even a special event pavilion.

The property is perfect, perhaps, for someone seeking to live in a "material world."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Madonna's family set to sell Sutton's Bay winery for nearly $5 million