By Loren Shaum
Guest columnist 

SYRACUSE – For the past several years, wineries have been popping up everywhere. Within an hour’s drive, there are at least seven to choose from. If you want to venture further into southwest Michigan, there are a plethora of wineries.  Here are some interesting venues that warrant a wine tour.

Tippy Creek Winery

Located on the third-generation Richcreek family farm, this winery evolved from Lori and Dan Richcreek’s love of wine. Opening in 2016, the winery is a richly appointed, lodge-style facility that seats over a hundred and includes a large stone fireplace.    

The Richcreek’s daughter, Lindsey, manages the property and event scheduling. The winery stocks bottles of varietal blends made primarily from Michigan grapes.  Each batch is blended to taste approved by selected tasters.  

They offer red and white wines, sparkling wines, hard ciders and non-alcoholic drinks. A favorite, we’ve enjoyed on occasion is the Tippy Zippy.  It’s a blend of Foch, DeChaunac, Rougeon and Chancellor grapes that results in a nice, dry red wine with notes of cherry and plum.

In the coming months, the couches by the huge stone fireplace are a popular spot for sipping a flight of wines.

Two-EE’s Winery

Another venue receiving raves is this winery between Roanoke and Huntington.  In the past, Visit Indiana has given them a number one rating for winery experiences.  They purchase grapes from various regions in the states, as well as. from Europe.  On one occasion, they offered Gruner Veltliner, which comes from Austria’s national grape. It’s one of the best summer wines around but are hard to find in these parts.

Currently, they have some interesting choices including Bourbon Barrel Strawberry and Pear – both made from grapes grown in Washington state.  There’s also a Rose’ made with New York grapes. But the bellwether is the Winemaker’s Edition Cabernet Sauvignon using California grapes.  It’s $100 a bottle.

The Two-EE’s kitchen offers pizza’s, charcuterie and snacks.   

Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard

This beautiful winery near the little burg of LaOtto is a must-stop. Constructed on Jennifer Lutter’s, more than 100-year-old family farm, the lodge-style main building is surrounded by vineyards, ponds and fire pits.  The winery features a store, tasting center, event center and outdoor seating.

You can sample from over forty of winemaker Kevin Geetings’ creations made mostly from Indiana grapes.  Wines include dry and semi-sweet, dessert, and port-style. They also offer hard ciders and seasonal slushies.  Several of the more select wines are only available to wine club members.  

Many people purchase a bottle of wine and wander the grounds while sipping their favorite libation. Or, you can reserve a firepit and park in front of a fire while quaffing.  

The event center is especially inviting with stuffed bears, a waterfall and mounted deer heads part of the lodge-style ambiance. 

They recently opened another winery in Nashville, Ind.

Heartland Winery

Further east, Alan Lockhart decided to plant some grapes back in 2006.  He had no vision of opening a winery, but when some of his blends started winning awards, the notion of opening a winery with his wife, Brenda, started to take shape.  Ten years later the winery became a reality.

Constructed on the third-generation family farm, the winery currently offers 25 wines made from.  the vineyard’s six varietals.  These include Lacresent, Vignoles, Ives, Norton, Seyval Bland and Vida; Blanc.  They also purchase from other local vineyards, when necessary.

In 2018, the winery was awarded Winery of the Year and the Indianapolis International Wine Competition.

They now have the Heartland Kitchen open offering appetizers and a charcuterie board to snack on while sipping a selected libation.

Satak Winery

In 1915, Pam Satak’s grandfather purchased land on the north end of Lake James. That land remained in the family through the generations, and eventually, Satak Winery started in 1992 as a commercial vineyard. They sold grapes to other Indiana vineyards, and the business grew.

In 2001, Pam and husband, Larry, who has a Ph.D. in Chemistry opened the winery. Using grapes from the vineyard, they started with four wines.

As the winery grew, the owner’s vineyard couldn’t produce sufficient to meet demand, so they started buying from others.  Today, they purchase grapes from three other states, as well as, from several Indiana vineyards. Winemaker, Shane Christ, offers 29 wine choices and several have won multiple awards over the years.

Interestingly, they offer up to eight free samplings.

With one of these wineries in Lake Country, you can easily do a wine tour and visit all these vineyards in one day.  We’ve been to all of these wineries and each has a story.  The wine tastings are worth the trip.  

If You Go

• Tippy Creek Winery: 5920 N 200 E, Leesburg.  Phone: 574-453-9003
• Two-EE’s Winery: 6808 US 24, Huntington.  Phone:260-672-2000.  
• Heartland Winery:  425 CR 23, Ashley.  Phone:260-587-3301.
• Satak Winery: 6208 N. Van Guilder Rs., Fremont.  Phone: 260-495-9463.

 

Hours at each winery vary so best to call.