The Gewürztraminer is a dry Gewürztraminer with a spice bouquet. The tasting room at the Schoolhouse site participates in all of the Pioneer Wine Trail events.īetween the two tasting rooms, we tasted several wines. At these dinners, a different wine is served with each course and John talks about each wine. In addition, four times a year gourmet wine dinners are offered. Wine classes about wine and food pairings are offered at the schoolhouse site four times a year. Tastings of wine and fudge are available throughout the week. On weekends, fresh baked bread and tastings of dipping oils are available. Some visitors to the tasting room have second homes in the area and frequently stop by the tasting room.Īt Cherry Creek, the emphasis is on fun and learning about the wines. Many visitors are traveling to Illinois, Indiana and Michigan’s Ann Arbor. Customers like this olive oil and vinegar and make repeat visits to purchase more and order it by mail.ĭenise mentioned that they have numerous visitors to the schoolhouse tasting room located on US 12. Visitors buying the vinegar or olive oil fill their own bottles. Besides wine tastings, fudge tastings are available.Ī popular item is the Balsamic vinegar and Italian Extra Virgin olive oil. Heath and Butterfingers fudge are the most popular. Several kinds are available including vanilla nut and chocolate. Unique in this tasting room is the delicious fudge available. Wreaths and wine accessories are also available. Cherry salsa, barbecue sauce, straw crackers, and more fill the display shelves. Visitors enjoy the gift selections and frequently buy wine and gifts at the schoolhouse. In addition to discussing the wines, she talked about the gift items available in the tasting room. Denise’s ready smile indicates she likes being involved with the winery. We met Denise Burtka at the tasting counter. The tasting counter is wood protected by a thick gloss glaze. The walls of the tasting room are lined with knotty pine and the floor is maple. Today a sign urges children 12 or younger to ring the bell once before parents may taste the wines. In the 1960’s, the building was renovated into a cottage. The original bell, calling children to school, is in operating condition.

The outside of the schoolhouse is of brick with a bell tower at the top. The schoolhouse opened in March 2006 as a tasting room.

The building was in use as a schoolhouse from the 1870’s to the 1950’s. After visiting this winery, we drove to their second tasting room located in a 19th century schoolhouse. A sweet wine, the Cherry Wine is 100% Michigan Balaton Tart Cherries with four percent residual sugar.Ĭherry Creek sells ninety percent of their wine in their two wine tasting rooms. MSU began selling the cherries in the mid 1990’s. In 1989, Michigan State University took cuttings and developed them in their nurseries. This cherry was developed in Hungary after WWII near Lake Balaton.

Cherry Creek uses a Balaton cherry to make its Cherry Wine. Michigan is a state renowned for its cherries. Cranberry Passion is the best selling wine. One third of the wines sold in the tasting rooms are dry. John Burtka, winemaker and co-owner with his wife, Denise, has strict requirements for the grapes they purchase from vineyards. Currently, Cherry Creek buys grapes from vineyards in Michigan. However due to customer demand, Cherry Creek provides semi-sweet and sweet wines. They hope to use the Vidal grapes to produce an ice wine in the future. Al is friendly and enjoys sharing his knowledge of wine at Cherry Creek as well as his extensive knowledge of world wines.Ĭherry Creek Cellars, a relatively new winery, with an acre of Pinot Noir and a half-acre of Vidal, produces 3,000 cases of wine. When we entered the tasting room, we met Al, an assistant in the winemaking process and wine consultant. In front of the small winery tasting room, located at the winery, are six picnic tables, available for enjoying a glass of wine. Outside of Cherry Creek Cellars, located in the tree-covered countryside of Michigan, are several oak barrel halves filled with pink and purple petunias. Here you may have the opportunity to participate in wine tastings, fudge tastings and olive oil tastings with fresh baked bread. However, if you are interesting in tastings and history visit the tasting room located in an 1870’s schoolhouse. If you are looking for wine, either tasting wine room is fine. Schedule a Wine Trail Traveler Tasting EventĬherry Creek Cellars has two wine tasting rooms.

Cherry creek wine