In the planning stages back in the early years of this decade, Cherry Creek Cellars owners Denise and John Burtka had decided on a different name for their first foray into the wine business. “As we were getting ready to open, we received notice from a winery that the Latin name that we had chosen (which translated as truth) had already been trademarked. We ran a contest in our local [Jackson, Mich.] newspaper and the winning name is the one we chose.

If you’re unfamiliar with cherries or Michigan, then you may not know that the cherry capital of the world is Traverse City, Mich. Check bags of dried cherries, they probably come from Michigan, a state very much in the cherry business as well as wine.

“In the early years [after startup in 2003],” John said, “the name was a problem. People thought we made cherry wine only. [Confession: at first, we thought that too!] My passion is dry red wines and I’m committed to both growing and making them.”

Until a few years ago, Michigan was known principally for its white wines and Riesling in three styles, dry, semi-dry and late harvest dessert. That’s changed and the Burtkas are in the middle of the most exciting element of Michigan winemaking – red wines.