We're FINALLY back with new podcasts, as our old computer literally died as we were editing this very episode. But we have a new computer now (hooray for unexpected large expenses) and we're back in business!
"Love love lovety love!" Strong sentiments for this 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon under the Lynn Aleksandr label, the premium line at Cherry Creek Winery, on the Pioneer Wine Trail. Are you a Cherry Creek/Lynn Aleksandr/Cab Sauvignon fan? Come tell us about it.
Engines were revving and wine was flowing during the 2012 Great Lakes Wine Fest at the Michigan International Speedway May 19. Winemakers and winery reps declared it a huge success, with cooperative weather and bigger-than-ever crowds. Take a peek at the action, and if you were there, see if you made it into the footage!
Summers such as the one Michigan enjoyed in 2010 don’t come around often.
The temperature was above average, and precipitation remained steady until August.
Conditions like that were ideal for farmers of most prominent crops;and winemakers, in particular, are giddy about what will become of their prized grapes.
Jugglers and acrobats and bears, oh my! Check out the whimsical world of Sleeping Bear Winery in Parma, where John Burtka (of Cherry Creek fame) is aiming to make wine accessible to the masses — literally and figuratively.
Cherry Creek Winery was recently featured in the Greenstone FCS Partners Spring 2010 magazine. The article focuses on the risks they took to build their winery and the unique things they are doing to help it succeed. Check out the article here.
Situated in an 1870s schoolhouse, Cherry Creek Winery is making some great Michigan wines. Owner and winemaker John Burtka operates his winery with one main principle, "if I don't like it myself, I won't sell it."
He wants the winery visit to be an event. They host live entertainment on Saturday nights, serve Tapas under the pergola, and of course offer free wine tastings. He encourages every child who enters the tasting room to ring the giant school bell.
Cherry Creek opened in 2003 and has experienced rapid growth in the past 6 years. Their annual production is about 4000 cases.
The first thing we noticed when we arrived was the terrific view of the vineyards. Unlike some of the Southern Michigan wineries, this looks like a traditional winery. I can imagine sitting outside of a sunny Saturday afternoon just taking in the ambiance.
John is very passionate about Dry Reds, and his wine list displays his talent for such. He is one of the few winemakers in Michigan who makes a Cabernet Sauvignon. I can attest that it is big and bold, they way a Cab should be!
Other favorites from our tastings:
Wood Duck Riesling - a dry Riesling with nice acidity
Montage - This is the wine that President Obama served Oprah Winfrey
Pinot Noir - 100% estate grown grapes with a full flavor
Winedog Boardoe - easy drinking red with a great name!
It is also interesting to note that John refers to his Michigan Cherry wine as "Michigan in bottle." It does have a good balance of sweet and spice.
John is developing a charity-driven wine called the 313 project. He is going to bottle one of his Cabernet Sauvignons and donate about $25 per bottle to an educational charity in Detroit. He is hoping to help inner-city kids get to school safely and give them a strong educational foundation.
We really enjoyed visiting Cherry Creek. It was nice to see another winery focusing on reds and dispelling the myth that we are only a Riesling contender.
In addition to the Old Schoolhouse tasting room in Brooklyn, they also have a tasting room in Albion.
I think this is a tremendous idea. What a shame that the track doesn't sell Cherry Creek wines. I hope John Burkta can change that! Read the article here.
