Inside the tasting room, Vintners Dave and Deb Burgdorf pour samples of their wine and serve up pleasant conversation, making you feel like longtime friends. Making wine is nothing new for the Burgdorfs, who crafted their first batch 30 years ago to salvage an abundant harvest of fresh, wild black raspberries. After several pies and cobblers, making wine was the next logical option for the couple who held longtime careers in agriculture and fermentation.
The Burgdorfs recall that first batch being awful and laugh now about using their friends as wine-tasting guinea pigs for their experimentations. Fortunately, over time, they were able to perfect the raspberry wine. Appropriately, they named it Perfection when they opened their winery in 2005.
Today, the Burgdorfs produce more than 20 styles of wines. Winter Riesling is a must-try for sweet wine enthusiasts. And no worries for dry red enthusiasts: The Burgdorfs produce Red Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Most importantly, though, they encourage you to experience their wine your own way. While Dave will take the time to show you how to sniff, taste, and enjoy, he will not tell you what you should expect, as he believes that your own experiences should be just that – your own!
You’ll be inspired to linger for an afternoon on the outdoor patio, which can also be reserved for private wine tastings, dinner parties, and large events. On Aug. 20, from noon to 5:00 p.m., the patio will be rockin’ in celebration of the winery’s 6th Anniversary Event — featuring live music, cheese and crackers and, of course, wine tasting. The cost is $10 per person and includes a souvenir wine glass.
Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis are authors of the award-winning From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries and The History of Michigan Wines. Learn more and get autographed books at deliciousmichigan.com.
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