Telling Michigan’s Best Stories
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Join us as we explore Michigan to find the best our state has to offer. Follow along as we travel to find and tell stories about Michigan’s best adventures, foods, events, nature, innovations, businesses, and communities. Your source for feel-good, positive Michigan news. Find us on MLive.com/MichigansBest and our social channels.
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When we chose the stories for this edition, all the events and dates were accurate. As always, find the most-up-to-date information on the business/event/activity website, Facebook page or other direct information source.
[LOOK INSIDE] Highlighting the wonderful world of Michigan wine
Wine MI Best
Guide
cherries Life is like a bowl of
a
The exclusive Up North wine tasting experience that is available at 6 Michigan tasting rooms SPONSORED Cherry Republic
fter Tim Ryan moved to Northern Michigan and “unretired” following 30-plus years of owning an upscale men’s clothing store, he’s spent time suiting guests at Cherry Republic’s Traverse City wine tasting bar with locally grown and made varietals that match their taste profile. The common denominator, Ryan says, is providing an enjoyable experience for the customer. “My goal, our staff’s goal, is to engage with people, and that’s very important to me,” said Ryan. “We take a lot of pride in having a welcoming atmosphere and showing that we want to learn about them, guide them and give them the satisfaction of tasting unique wines. “And we want them to have fun while they’re with us.” It’s a role that has earned him the nickname of the “wine guru” from co-workers and regulars at the tasting room, one of six that Cherry Republic has throughout the state in addition to its flagship
Glen Arbor store and Public House restaurant. The customer-focused philosophy permeates the culture at each of the wine bars and matches the Leelanau County-founded retail company’s Life, Liberty, Beaches & Pie mantra that places a priority on being genuine and heartfelt. Cherry Republic, which has more than 250 products that
celebrate Michigan’s Montmorency Tart Cherry, has been doing that since Bob Sutherland launched the original Glen Arbor location in 1989. Cherry Republic’s wine line is exclusively made of homegrown cherries and grapes by the awardwinning Bel Lago and Aurora wineries. The tasting bars – and online store – feature 16 varietals that range from 100 percent cherrybased to smaller ratios, and the styles run the gamut from sweet whites and blushes to robust red varieties. Wine tasting room staff enjoy conversations with guests and the pursuit of finding the right wine for them. Ryan recommends trying a flight of 6 samples for $5 that will be curated by team members based on the discussion of what they prefer, but they also encourage people to step outside and try something new. Some can be hesitant to try wines that are only from cherries, he says. Among the most popular wines with customers are Conservancy Cherry Wine, which is comprised 100 percent of Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, and the Great Hall Noir, a blend of Pinot Noir with a splash of cherry that has been oak barrel aged for 21 months. Ryan calls the Conservancy wine “cherry pie in a glass,” because it features the same wines as Cherry Republic’s signature pie. “People are surprised that great wine is made from cherries, and once we’ve given them the opportunity to have a broader taste test, they find something they really enjoy,” Ryan
you don’t want to miss this
said. “I always go to wineries looking to get an educational component and understand more about the process. I feel like that’s what we try to provide here. “Along the way it’s getting to know people and having some laughs together.” Sara Harding, Cherry Republic’s vice president of marketing and impact, compares the performance of Ryan and his tasting bar colleagues to conductors leading an orchestra as lines can swell during busy summer days or seasonal gift hunting. “There’s such a beautiful energy and they all want to make sure our guests have a custom experience for them,” Harding said. “They’re really passionate about that.” Mid-week and off-season visits can lead to a quieter and even more engaging interaction, Ryan and Harding say. There’s more ability to make deeper connections, though that’s always the goal, according to Ryan. The bottom line after spending time at a tasting room: “We want people to leave happy...and with a couple bottles of wine,” Ryan jokes.
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Telling Michigan’s Best Stories Join us as we explore Michigan to find the best our state has to offer. Follow along as we travel to find and tell stories about Michigan’s best adventures, foods, events, nature, innovations, businesses, and communities. Your source for feel-good, positive Michigan news. Find us on MLive.com/MichigansBest and our social channels.
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Michigan Grape And Wine
Facts Michigan has producing wine commercially since the early 1900s
80 cases
Bob Hope ordered 80 cases of Tabor Hill’s Vidal Blanc demi-sec for his 80th birthday, after being gifted a bottle while performing at the Berrien County Youth Fair
2.7 million
93,400 tons
In 2016 Michigan used 93,400 tons of grapes for production of wine and juice
Oldest St. Julian Winery is the oldest and largest winery in Michigan
Michigan’s wine grape and wine industry contributes $5.4 billion in economic impact, supporting more than 47,000 jobs
Michigan is part of North America’s ‘Riesling belt’ that runs from Columbia Valley in Washington state, Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Snake River Valley in Idaho, Great Lakes area in Michigan, Canada’s Niagara Peninsula, and on to the Finger Lakes in New York.
Michigan is the 8th largest grape producer in the nation
200
Governor Whitmer declared May, as Michigan Wine Month in May 2022
$5.4 billion
Riesling belt
In 2016, over 2.7 million gallons of Michigan wine were bottled
Michigan has over 200 wineries
3,300 acres Michigan has over 3,300 acres of wine grapes
1863 – Joseph Sterling plants the first commercial vineyard in Michigan
Sources • Michigan AG Council, https://michigangrown.org/grapes-wine • https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2022/04/27/may-2022-michigan-wine-month • Wine America, The National Association of American Wineries, https://wineamerica.org/economic-impact-study/michigan-wine-industry • MSU’s ‘Commercial Wineries in Michigan’, https://project.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/MIwines3.html • Michigan Wine Country, The History of Michigan Wine, by Lorri Schreiber, https://michiganwinecountry.com/features/the-history-of-michigan-wine • The Wine Economist, America’s Wine Regions: Surprising Michigan, by Mike Veseth, https://wineeconomist.com/2023/08/01/michigan MICHIGAN’S BEST | 10.22.23 | 2
Dreaming f a
Christmas
Make it the most wine-derful time of year with holiday gifts from Chateau Chantal
t
SPONSORED Chateau Chantal
his holiday season, make your list and check it twice to determine who’s receiving Chateau Chantal’s Naughty or Nice wines. Old Mission Peninsula’s Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn is a helpful elf in providing holiday spirit for those on your gift list. And much like Santa and his reindeer, they also deliver — so if you can’t stopover in person, simply visit their easy-to-use website for online ordering, shop.chateauchantal.com. There you will discover purchasing options that range from bottles of wine to gift certificates for culinary events and stays at the 12-room bed and breakfast located on the picturesque vineyard. “You can experience us at any level,” said Kyle Brownley, Director of Marketing for Chateau Chantal. “We consider ourselves the one-stop shop for the Traverse Wine Coast. You can experience the winery as much or as little as you want. It’s as simple as sending a favorite bottle of wine to somebody on your Christmas list, all the way up to booking a three-night stay for someone in our beautiful bed & breakfast.” A Chateau Chantal gift in its simplest form is a bottle of one of their many delectable wines. With an expansive lineup featuring red, white, pink, fruit and dessert wines, you’re bound to find something perfect for any favored taste. However, in the holiday season, the winery’s Naughty and Nice series carries thematic essence. The Naughty (semi-dry) and Nice (sweet) Whites express a plush, fruitful charm while the Reds please palates with no bitterness and deep fruit flavors. While popular year-round, Brownley said the wines undergo special custom labels for the holiday season. And if you can’t discern if someone leans naughty or nice on your list, the winery offers box sets of the two paired together. And for those who’ve been extra nice this year, gift a Chateau Chantal Membership so the recipient can uncork not only an assortment of wines but exclusive benefits like cellar tours, discounts, BOGO deals and more. Memberships come in three tiers — The Dry Side, Winemaker’s Choice and Luscious Selections — that cover every preferred style. If you’re the type who enjoys giving presents you can’t put under the tree, Chateau Chantal also offers gift certificates for an array of experiences at the winery to use at a later date. February through June, Chateau Chantal hosts hands-on cooking classes. Classes run approximately four hours and each features a unique theme. Participants at the end enjoy their creations paired with awardwinning wine. If the gift recipient prefers only partaking in the end result of the cooking process, Chateau Chantal
also hosts various wine dinners. These sevencourse, wine-pairing feasts are prepared fresh by the winery’s talented in-house chef. All dinners include and begin with a tour of the property. And when you’re feeling as generous as Santa, the highest-level experience available at Chateau Chantal is a stay at the cozy bed and breakfast located directly at the winery — which pairs especially nice when attending a cooking class or wine dinner. Guests can immerse themselves in the vineyard’s unique, beautiful rural landscape. The Chateau Chantal Bed & Breakfast features exceptional amenities such as spacious suites, whirlpool tubs, elegant furnishings, terraces, balconies and more. And of course, aweinspiring views of the vineyards and waters await throughout the property. Guests can also tap into everything Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City offer. Local beaches, renowned trails, championship golf, cultural venues, charming restaurants and more dot the immediate region. Gifting a stay at the B&B means unwrapping an entire area filled with presents. When purchasing a gift certificate for the holidays, which are available to order online, Chateau Chantal also provides special packaging. Recipients are free to use the certificates at their convenience. “You can really make a Chateau Chantal gift as immersive as you want,” Brownley said.
Pore over your holiday shopping list and bestow a Chateau Chantal pour all the way up to a multi-night stay at the B&B. It’s certain to be the hallmark of the gift recipient’s holiday season.
for Thanks hosting!
Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures. Michael Broadbent
MICHIGAN’S BEST | 10.22.23 | 3
historic
Berridge Hotel
a FAUD SHALHOUT |fshalhout@mlive.com
FLINT, MI
new business offering charcuterie, beer, wine and board games is bringing new life to Flint’s historic Berridge Hotel. When the old Berridge Hotel was gutted, renovated and repurposed as apartments in 2008, the ground floor was left open for businesses to provide services for the Carriage Town neighborhood. Fifteen years later, that vision is coming to fruition with the opening of Queens’ Provisions. The new business, located in the former historic Berridge Hotel on Garland Street in Flint’s Carriage Town neighborhood, had a soft opening this week revealing the fun ahead. “It’s meant to be very chill and easy for people to come even if they don’t feel like wine, craft beer or charcuterie is for them,” said business owner Emily Doerr. “It’s a bit more affordable than going out to eat.” The grand opening is slated for 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. The Berridge Hotel was built in 1928 and has served as a home to a tailor shop, coffee houses, a taproom and The Chateau French Restaurant.Its last guest checked out in 2006 after it was purchased by the Genesee County Land Bank and underwent a $6 million renovation to convert it into an apartment house. The ground floor of the Berridge has been used for office space and is roughly 1,800 square feet. Doerr, a resident of the 5th Ward, is the former executive director of the Michigan State Land Bank Authority. Currently, Doerr is the development director for the City of Flint. She grew up playing chess, and her father was a high school math teacher and directed the chess team. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Netflix
New business offers charcuterie, wine and board games in Flint
hit series “Queen’s Gambit” premiered with a plot centered around an orphaned chess prodigy struggling with addiction in a quest to become the greatest chess player in the world. The main character, Beth Harmon, has red hair. “I got like 55 text messages for like a two-week period telling me I have to watch the show,” Doerr said, who also has red hair. “So I was like, ‘We should play chess at this place I’m starting.’” After visiting Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits in New Orleans, Doerr took that business concept and wanted to plant it in her hometown. Two chess boards will be available inside, along with several more board games, books and a seating capacity of 47 people. A bottle of wine will be $12, compared to $30 in a typical restaurant, Doerr said. The charcuterie will also be
retail pricing, and customers can choose the meat and cheese, along with 100% gluten-free crackers. “I just want people to hang out and be comfortable and get something different,” she said.
offered at
Play fuels your creativity, tickles your inner child and nurtures your soul.” CLAUDIA BLACK
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