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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GRAND RAPIDS | KALAMAZOO | MUSKEGON | 10.22.23
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
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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
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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.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
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.
MLiveMIBest #ITriedMIBest MLive.com/MichigansBest 10527238-03