BROOKLYN, MI – A Brooklyn winery is determined to find the right wine for every customer that enters its doors.
Cherry Creek Cellars, 11500 Silver Lake Highway, was opened by John and Denise Burtka in 2003. It’s currently owned by Patrick Spensley, who joined the winery’s team in 2011 and took over as owner in 2018.
“It was time. I was either kind of hemming and hawing on starting some place from scratch on my own, but really enjoyed the clientele and the people I’ve been working with here,” Spensley said.
The winery brings a variety of beverages to the Brooklyn area, including hard ciders, beer and wine. The staff is determined to find the right flavor for each visitor, Spensley said.
“We take pride in talking with those to find something they like,” he said.
Jeremiah and Summer Housler started visiting Cherry Creek Cellars for its cider, Jeremiah said.
“It just feels like everyone is a part of the family here,” he said. “We never had a bad experience here.”
The business sits on 10 acres, including five acres of vineyard. The winery uses its own grapes whenever possible, but also contracts with grape growers in West Michigan for premium grapes, Spensley said.
The winery’s offerings include Cranberry Passion, Ruby Rabelo and Proprietors Reserve. It also received a double gold medal through the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s Judgement of Michigan for its Cabernet Sauvignon.
“(It’s) definitely our biggest and boldest red,” he said. “It really leaves you with a nice finish that’s going to complement any meal.”
In addition to its wines and other beverages, Cherry Creek Cellars also hosts live music outside on the patio on Friday and Saturday evenings, including a range of county, banjo music and classic rock genres, said Janet Smoyer, event and café manager.
“It makes it great for people our age, gives us a place to go and dance,” she said. “It’s not a bar scene, it’s a winery.”
The winery remains popular, even throughout the winter months, Smoyer said. When summer comes to an end, it brings out “igloos” for visitors to rent to drink their wine outside.
The winery also offers paint-and-sip events, yoga and trivia.
“People like to come here for a good time, not just the customers, but the workers as well,” said Joe Carpenter, vineyard manager. “We’re a hidden gem.”
All events can be followed on the Cherry Creek Cellars Facebook page. More information on Cherry Creek Cellars and its wines can be found on the winery’s website.
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