Architectural Gems Highlight Central Florida's Hidden Landscapes

Central Florida’s Polk County is rich in heritage, nature, and artistry. 

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Despite covering more than 2,000 square miles – bigger than the entire state of Delaware – Florida’s Polk County is often overlooked by tourists hurrying from Tampa to Orlando. Guests to the Sunshine State would be best advised to slow down, hit the brakes, and enjoy the abundance of attractions, natural wonders, and hospitality available in this county named after U.S. president James K. Polk.

During our recent visit, we explored architectural treasures that might remain parts of a hidden landscape to travelers who don’t pause to enjoy them. Titans of the field, including Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr. and Frank Lloyd Wright, left their marks on Polk County, which has a history that stretches back more than 11,000 years.

Bok Tower Gardens and El Retiro

Located in Lake Wales, Bok Tower stands 205 feet tall atop Iron Mountain, one of Florida's highest points. It is known as the Singing Tower for its 20-story carillon bell tower, which chimes a melodic concert twice daily.

Built by Edward W. Bok, longtime editor of the Ladies' Home Journal, in the 1920s, the tower is surrounded by a 250-acre contemplative garden and bird sanctuary. While we visited, the Dream Weaver: Tales from the Trees exhibit was on display in the garden.

What is a Carillon

A carillon is an exceptional musical instrument. “It’s as if an organ and drum had a baby,” explains Erica Smith, director of marketing for Bok Tower Gardens. A carillon is a musical instrument made of tuned bronze bells, played from a keyboard-like console. To earn the title of carillon, the instrument must have at least 23 bells. The Bok Tower carillon has 60, among the finest in the world.

The console is played by a carillonneur, who performs inside the tower. The current carillonneur is Geert D’hollander, a world‑renowned Belgian composer and performer. He performs a live concert at 1:00 and 3:00 PM Thursday through Sunday from mid-October to mid-May. Short musical selections are played on the hour and half-hour.

The carillonneur plays the console by striking wooden keys with his closed fists and uses his feet to play pedals, which produce the lower tones. The instrument is part of the architecture, and the sound radiates beautifully across the entire landscape.

The tower features Gothic/Art Deco styles and striking stonework by master craftsmen from the Philadelphia area. Its colorful walls are adorned with pink and grey Georgia marble and coquina stone (a native shell limestone). 

The Great Brass Door, located on the tower’s north side, is a masterpiece by Samuel Yellin, America’s preeminent metalworker of the era. The door panels depict scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and the serpent.

The stonework features a menagerie of Florida wildlife, including storks, herons, swans, foxes, and even baboons. It is part of the theme of unity between nature, art, and spirituality.

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.’s Legacy

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., landscape architect for Bok Gardens, was the son of Frederick Law Olmsted, who co-designed Central Park and the U.S. Capitol Grounds. The son’s legacy is also long-lasting: in addition to designing Bok Tower Gardens, he founded the American Society of Landscape Architects and helped establish the National Park Service.

The garden is contemplative and peaceful. Curving paths wind through Longleaf pines, Sandhill vegetation, and native shrubs and wildflowers. As you walk on the rising pathway, the tower emerges, framed by trees, with its image captured in a reflecting pool.

El Retiro is a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion that sits on 7.5 acres within Bok Gardens. It was built in the 1930s for steel executive Charles Austin Buck, and he engaged Olmsted’s firm to design the gardens for his winter home. Architect Charles Wait was hired to design the house.  

El Retiro means “the retreat” in Spanish. The 12,900-foot home is considered one of the finest examples of Mediterranean-style architecture in Florida. It features a barrel-tile roof, thick walls, substantial carved doors and woodwork, and intricately detailed wrought iron.

Three porches afforded Buck and his guests uninterrupted views of his English-style country garden,  rolling lawn, and tower. There is a formal Mediterranean-style garden with a Spanish frog fountain, and elsewhere a pond to reflect the afternoon sunsets.

Bok Tower Gardens is open daily with general admission ($20 for adults, $10 children 6-17) that grants access to the historic landscape, the Singing Tower, and the visitor areas. Guests who want to explore the 1930s Mediterranean‑style mansion El Retiro can add a docent‑led tour for an additional fee ($10 adults, $5 children).

Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture at Florida Southern College

Lakeland is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work found at a single site. Thirteen structures designed by Wright are on the Florida Southern College campus.

The campus features a Usonian home designed in 1939 and then later built according to Wright’s plans in 2011. Wright coined the term Usonian to describe architecture modest in size, harmonized with its surroundings, and affordable for the average American.

The house at FSC has all the Wright hallmarks; it is low-slung with built-in furniture to reduce clutter. It features a carport, clerestory windows, recessed lighting, and strong horizontal lines. The kitchen is open concept, but quite small compared to contemporary kitchens. Wright believed a kitchen was merely a workplace, and he devoted more space to the living areas and master bedroom. The materials are brick, cypress, and interlocking textile blocks.

Child of the Sun Campus

The campus is often called the “Child of the Sun,” and it has 13 Wright-designed buildings. He designed the layout around the orange trees currently growing there.

The largest water feature he designed is the Water Dome, which measures 168 feet in diameter. It features a full circular spray pattern that creates a 30-foot wide hemisphere that appears almost solid. The original technology to achieve this effect didn’t exist in the 1940s; the fountain remained incomplete for decades. Today, the fountain reflects the geometry and scale originally envisioned by Wright.

Annie Pfeiffer Chapel

The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was the first Wright building on campus, with groundbreaking in 1938 and completion in 1941. It is the physical and spiritual center of the campus. It also encompasses most of Wright’s mid-career experimentation with light, geometry, and hand-made materials.

Much of the work was done by students in exchange for tuition and board. Textile blocks are used extensively in construction, and many of the blocks have perforations with colored glass inserts. Wright instructed students to randomly insert different colors, resulting in an abstract, stained-glass effect.

The floor is painted in Wright’s hallmark Cherokee red concrete. A lantern tower soars above the sanctuary, and the two levels of the church can seat up to 1,000 people.

E.T. Roux Library

Wright’s original plan called for a circular library. The E.T. Roux Library was designed as a hub for campus intellectual life and reflected Wright’s fascination with geometric purity. It featured a central reading room and radiating study alcoves. 

By the mid-60s, the college had outgrown the library. A new library, incorporating many of the elements of the original building, was designed by Nils Schweizer, a protégé of Wright. On the day it opened, March 24, 1968, students formed a human chain to pass books hand-to-hand from the old library to the new.

The Child of the Sun campus is unified by almost a mile of covered walkways connecting buildings. These esplanades are designed to mimic orange grove rows.

Florida Southern College offers daily guided tours of its world‑renowned collection of Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, the Usonian House, and several academic buildings. Visitors can choose from a basic campus tour at $15 or the more extensive In‑Depth Tour, which lasts about 2.5 hours and includes interior access to six Wright‑designed buildings, at $50. Reservations are strongly recommended.

From the soaring Singing Tower at Bok Tower Gardens to the shimmering arc of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Water Dome at Florida Southern College, Polk County invites visitors into a landscape where art, architecture, and nature speak in harmony. These are places shaped by visionaries—Edward Bok, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and Wright himself.

Together, Bok Tower Gardens, the historic El Retiro estate, and the nation’s largest single collection of Wright architecture offer a rare chance to stroll through nationally significant sites within just a few miles of one another. It’s a journey blending quiet reflection, bold design, and the enduring beauty of Central Florida.

Ronda Rosé Blends Artistry and Approachability

B. Wise Vineyards is a Sonoma winery that I know best for its impressive red wines from the Moon Mountain AVA. In fact, a B. Wise Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon was a featured wine in our special Red Side of the Moon: Moon Mountain AVA Dinner.

I've since learned that B. Wise (named for founder Brion Wise) has an admirable range of wines that includes Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine. We were delighted to try the 2024 Ronda Rosé and experience the lighter side of this boutique winery.

While rosé conjures up images of sultry summer afternoons on the patio, we find it to be a great year-round choice. Its food-friendly nature means it frequently appears on our dinner table. Looking for a bit of sunshine during an arctic blast? Uncorking a bottle of rosé is the answer.

Ronda Rosé is named after Brion's wife and is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Grenache. Grapes come from two premier north coast vineyards in Sonoma County. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, something that adds depth. 

The color is a silvery salmon pink, resulting from only a few hours of skin contact. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in both steel and neutral French oak barrels. As with most B. Wise wines, this is a small-lot production, with only 190 cases produced. 

On the nose, there is strawberry with fresh citrus notes. On the palate, there are strawberry and melon flavors and refreshing minerality. The elegance of the Pinot Noir and the roundness of the Grenache equal an expressive wine. The acidity keeps this a playful glass.

At $36 (the price on the winery website), this is an affordable and enjoyable foray into the craftsmanship and spirit that are hallmarks of this superb winery. This is an easy wine to savor, and for us to heartily recommend.

Stikky Wine Is The Perfect Book for Wine Beginners

Look no further for the perfect Christmas book for your new-to-wine friends.

Barely a day goes by without someone on Instagram, a podcast, a blog, or in a book promising to "demystify" wine. One would think that we are a nation of people wandering about stupefied by the unknowable mysteries of wine, pining for someone to tear the veil asunder and reveal the secrets of the ages.

While I don't buy into the notion of a massive need for demystification, there is a need to jump-start the appreciation of wine for those just beginning. Let me suggest Stikky Wine (Laurence Holt Books). The book offers to "teach essential wine tasting skills to anyone with just a little time. In just one hour, you’ll learn the six aroma families, the three essential characteristics of wine, and how to enjoy and describe wine like a pro." That's a large order to fill!

There's a whole line of Stikky books, on topics ranging from identifying animal tracks to interpreting stock chart patterns. They are written with the help of subject matter experts; in the case of Stikky Wine, the SME is Andrea Reibel. The book uses a unique learning approach, providing a step-by-step introduction to the world of wine. Each step builds on what came before and reinforces it. Simple quizzes and matching exercises test your knowledge.

The book covers the six main categories of aromas found in wine. The section on taste explores tannins, acidity, and body. There are also worthwhile suggestions on pairing food and wine and how to speak with a sommelier.

I found the book to be an enjoyable and quick read. The format is very user-friendly with plenty of illustrations. It covers the six main varietal wines, and the "Next Steps" section covers more varietal wines and types of wines. There's also a basic glossary of terms as well as book and online resources.

It's an ideal Christmas present. It is available for $12 online. My daughter will enjoy unwrapping this gift.

Fall Into These Superb Napa Reds From Hestan Vineyards

This trio of Napa reds offers power and grace just right for the fall season.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Hestan Vineyards is a solar-powered estate nestled in Napa Valley’s Gordon Valley region. Established in 1996 by Helen and Stanley Cheng, the property was once a working cattle ranch. Today, it’s home to organically farmed vineyards and gardens, reflecting the Chengs’ enduring appreciation for Napa’s landscape and their commitment to sustainability. Stanley, known for pioneering hard-anodized cookware and founding Hestan Culinary, a brand known for chef-driven kitchen appliances, brings a thoughtful precision to the estate’s winemaking philosophy.

We had the opportunity to taste three magnificent reds from Hestan’s fall release: the 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Stephanie Malbec, and 2021 Stephanie Prorietary Red Wine.

The Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine is a bold yet polished blend of 39% Petit Verdot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and smaller amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. The wine is aged 50/50 in new and neutral French oak. There are silky black cherry notes laced with minerality and floral accents. Limited to 486 cases, this small batch wine retails for $75.

We paired the superb 2021 Napa Valley Malbec from Stephanie with a pan-fried pork chop and a garlic wine reduction sauce. Home-made French fries and fire-roasted corn rounded out the dish. This sensational Malbec boasts a rich, luxurious mouthfeel with flavors of black fruit, blueberries, cassis, and cocoa. The finish is long and delicious.

I brined the chops for an hour in sea salt, herbs de Provence, and a pinch of brown sugar. The seasoning was smoked paprika, thyme, and rosemary from the garden, plus salt and pepper.

The robust seasoning of the juicy chops paired wonderfully with the Stephanie Malbec. We highly recommend this exceptional wine. SRP is only $55.

The Stephanie wines are named for Stanley and Helen’s only daughter. The bottle features a golden silkscreened harp in a nod to Stephanie’s musical talents. 

This line is crafted by acclaimed winemaker Jeff Gaffner. He is known for his work with Bordeaux varieties, producing elegant and refined wines. Jeff started at Chateau St. Jean, working with legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood to produce the winery’s 1996 Cinq Cepages, saluted as Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. We only wish these wines were available in magnum format.

Thomas Brown is the winemaker behind the renowned Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon. He is one of Napa Valley’s most exciting winemakers with an impressive array of accolades. Among his accomplishments are unprecedented double 100-point scores from the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker. Thomas joined the Hestan team in 2009. 

The 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon appears destined for greatness as well. The wine is crafted for intensity as well as long-term aging. Made with 100% Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a big wine that is enjoyable now, but can age gracefully for 10 years and beyond. 

On the nose, there is the aroma of cassis and crushed herbs. Robust dark plum, black cherry, and cedar flavors anchor the palate. The tannins are structured with minerality and vibrant acidity, providing complexity. The finish is long and gripping.

There were 1,267 cases produced, and the wine is aged in 75% new French oak. This latest vintage of Meyer Cabernet is priced at $90.

These selections from Hestan’s fall release reflect precision, depth, and a clear sense of place. From the expressive Meyer Cabernet to the graceful Stephanie reds, each bottle speaks to the estate’s commitment to stewardship of the land and the talent behind its label. These are wines to enjoy now, and to revisit as they evolve.

Lone Star Wine Shines Bright As Texas Earns Growing Acclaim

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Texas wine is an immense topic. That’s not surprising, considering the state of Texas is larger than France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, or Germany. I recently had the opportunity to delve deeply into Texas wine during the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association's annual conference, held in Lafayette, Louisiana. I participated in a pre-conference Texas Wine Ambassador certification class and then assisted with a Texas winemaker panel and tasting.

Texas winemakers aim for a refreshing style of wine, said Kelsey Kramer, DipSET, the education director for the Hill Country Wine Academy, who conducted the certification class. Grapes are typically harvested early to retain acidity and avoid exposure to high heat and other extreme weather conditions. 

The early harvest, sometimes four months earlier than other regions, and the warm-plus (don’t call it “hot”) climate define a Texas style with big flavors, with a soft and opulent texture. Wine lovers will discover wines that are fruitier, lighter in tannins, and high in minerality. Herbaceousness is another Texas calling card.

The Lone Star State is a mosaic of more than 1,300 soil types spread across 11 degrees of latitude (France has 10), five different climate zones, and elevations that range from sea level to 8,751 feet. 

There are about 3,700 named rivers and streams in Texas, with about 15 major river basins. Grapes from different river basins result in strikingly different-tasting wine. Rivers like the Brazos and Colorado carve through limestone and clay, shaping soils that give Hill Country wines their bold character. Texas was once completely underwater, with marine influence and sea sediments creating layered sedimentary rock across the state. 

As a result, Texas wines focus on regionality. That’s the reason more than 70 grape varieties are grown in the state’s eight AVAs. While the familiar Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape in the state, the second most popular is Tempranillo. The most planted white grape is Blanc de Bois, the unofficial signature grape of the state. It is a hybrid grape prized for its resistance to Pierce’s Disease and its adaptability to hot, humid climates. Pierce’s Disease is a bacterium that is spread by sap-feeding insects, and grapevines are especially vulnerable.

The Texas High Plains AVA has a cold semi-arid climate and is located on a large flat plateau in an area once called the “Great American Desert.” No indigenous grapes were planted there in the early days, and it is considered disease-free. That’s a good thing, since 80% of Texas wine grapes are grown there. It is the “engine room” of the Texas wine industry.

We tasted six wines, including some from Texas High Plains, and three from areas currently in the review process to gain AVA status.

2024 Grower Project Picpoul, Texas High Plains – This historic French grape, whose name means “lip stinger,” has found a home in Texas. This wine is pale in color with mouth-watering acidity, with flavors of apricot and lemon zest. 

2024 La Valentìa Chenin Blanc, Dell Valley – Pale gold in the glass, it’s made with 40-year-old vines and is aged for six months in neutral oak. Soft texture and subtle flavors of lychee and Meyer lemon.

2019 William Chris Mourvèdre, Texas High Plains – One of my favorites in the tasting. Red brick in color, it is herbaceous with delicate flavors of red fruit, sage, and mint.

2023 William Chris Sangiovese, Texas High Plains – I found the ABV a little too hot at 14.6%, but others praised its voluptuous taste and termed it a boisterous wine.

2020 William Chris Blackmon Ranch Blend, Hickory Sands District – This is a 56-44 Merlot/Malbec blend from the Llano Uplift AVA and specifically the Hickory Sands area, which will soon become its own AVA. It has rich cherry fruit with cola notes and a focused mineral edge.

2020 William Chris Tannat, Pedernales River Basin – A bold wine with flavors of plum, black currant, and dried herbs. The Pedernales River Basin is known for its limestone-rich soils, which add freshness to the wines.

At the conclusion of the day-long session, I was proud to receive the lapel pin as an officially certified Texas Wine Ambassador.

Texas wine kept flowing during the IFWTWA conference during a standout wine panel and tasting that explored the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains wine regions. The panel was organized by IFWTWA Vice President Andy Harris and moderated by our new friend Kelsey Kramer.

The panel of all-stars included:

• Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars, a second-generation winemaker and a pioneer of Texas winemaking.

• Nikhila Narra Davis of Kalasi Cellars, a winery known for its bold wines and South Indian inspiration.

• Jon McPherson of Carter Creek Winery & Resort, a luxury retreat in Texas Hill Country. He is the brother of Kim and also a second-generation winemaker.

• Katy Jane Seaton of Farmhouse Vineyards, a family-owned grape grower and boutique wine producer. They provide grapes to more than 20 Texas wineries, and their own wines often feature Rhône and Italian varieties with a Texas twist.

1. Carter Creek Sparkling Tempranillo Rosé 

2. 2022 McPherson Cellars Moore Family Vineyards Tokio Block Tempranillo 

3. 2022 Farmhouse Vineyards “The Vault”

4. 2022 Kalasi Cellars “Kanchi”

Kim and Jon McPherson are key figures in Texas wine, continuing the legacy of their father, Doc McPherson, a pioneer of Texas viticulture and founder of one of Texas’s earliest modern wineries.

Kim founded McPherson Cellars in Lubbock, focusing on grape varieties that thrive in the Texas High Plains, such as Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. Jon moved to California in 1985 and became a winemaker at Culbertson Winery, focusing on sparkling wine. He is now the winemaker at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in the Texas Hill Country, bringing his rich experience back to Texas.

The Carter Creek sparkling Tempranillo is crisp and dry with notes of red berries and a frothy effervescence. Following on was the McPherson Cellars Tokio Block Tempranillo, crafted from a block near Tokio, a tiny town in the High Plains known for its sandy loam soils and its elevation. It has notes of raspberry with subtle oak and accents of leather.

The Farmhouse Vineyards “The Vault” is a delicious blend of 50% 2020 Mourvèdre and 50% 2019 Montepulciano. This wine was one of my favorites from my Texas wine tasting in Louisiana. It is distinctly Texan with plum and cocoa flavors wrapped in a savory package.

Kalasi Cellars "Kanchi" is a red wine blend made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8. Flavors of black cherry and plum lead in this elegant wine. The tannins are supple, and mocha flavors linger in the finish.

The IFWTWA was a delightful detour into the world of Texas wine. Texas winemakers also poured wines in the hospitality suite. It was there I imbibed a memorable wine: McPherson Cellars 2021 Sagmor Vineyard Sangiovese. This is undoubtedly the best Texas Sangiovese I have ever tasted.

Sagmor Vineyard was planted in 1967 by Doc McPherson and his Texas Tech colleague Robert Reed. It was one of the first commercial vineyards in the state. The Sangiovese is a flagship bottling for McPherson, with very limited quantities (in 2021, only 224 cases were produced).

It features cherry and berry flavors with accents of vanilla and spice. The balance between acid and tannins is perfection itself. It is savory, with understated oak notes delivered in a dry wine with a medium body. Leather and mushroom notes contribute to the layered enjoyment. 

Texas wine is a dynamic, evolving force shaped by geology, grit, and generations of visionaries. From the limestone river basins to the windswept High Plains, each bottle tells a story of perseverance and passion. As a newly minted Texas Wine Ambassador, I’m honored to help share that story. Texas invites you to taste beyond the expected—and discover a wine world as vast as the state itself.

Cherry Creek Cellars Scores Michigan Governor's Cup Win with Cool Climate Pinot Noir

Cherry Creek Cellars Owner Patrick Spensley and winemaker Kyle Baker produced the 2025 Michigan Governor's Cup-winning wine, a cool climate Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is a finicky grape that drives vineyard managers mad and the wine-loving public wild. Notoriously difficult to grow, Burgundy, California, and Oregon produce sterling examples of this variety, so you may be caught off guard to hear of an award-winning Pinot Noir from Michigan. 

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Michigan has been a rising star in the growing cool climate wine movement. Most vineyards are located within 25 miles of Lake Michigan or Lake Erie, and the insulating effect makes it an ideal location for cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. While climate change has created havoc for many traditional wine-growing regions, Michigan has actually gained four extra weeks of growing season due to rising temperatures.

Cherry Creek Cellars 2022 Charamar Pinot Blanc and
Governor's Cup-winning 2023 Charamar Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir’s ascent in Michigan was validated at the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition, organized by the Michigan Wine Collaborative. Earning the Michigan Governor’s Cup winner (best of show) for 2025 was Cherry Creek Cellars, with their 2023 Charamar Collection Pinot Noir. It ranked the highest out of 154 entries from 33 wineries submitted to the competition. The Governor’s Cup is Michigan’s only statewide industry-driven wine competition.

Cherry Creek Cellars, with its distinctive historic schoolhouse tasting room, is located in Brooklyn, Michigan, and is part of the River Raisin Wine Trail. Patrick Spensley is the owner. His introduction to the wine industry was while traveling abroad in New Zealand. He spent 10 months working off and on in vineyards and cellars while exploring the country. 

Upon return to the US, he served as vineyard manager and winemaker at Cherry Creek under the former owners before purchasing the operation. “It really was the perfect situation, an established business with a loyal customer base and great wines, my real job was just to keep the train on the tracks and bring a few new ideas and events into the mix,” he said.

How exactly is winemaking in Michigan different from New Zealand? According to Spensley, much of it is the same. “In my mind, the major difference is just the climate and, therefore, the profiles in the wines produced,” he said. “New Zealand is known for amazing Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, but I wouldn’t ever try to tell you that our Pinot or Sauv Blanc is similar to the wines they are producing there. However, I would tell you that you could line ours up next to one of theirs and experience two very different, but equally great wines.”

In the glass, the light garnet color of the Charamar Pinot Noir was a surprise. Sipping provides delightful notes of raspberry and cherry, with hints of earthiness and silky tannins. It’s juicy and savory with the right touch of richness.

“Personally, I think there are some amazing Pinot Noirs in Michigan,” said Spensley. “Sure, some years the weather/climate doesn’t cooperate, but that's true of any wine region around the country or even the world. In other years, we produce amazing Pinot Noir across the state. In our experience, our best Pinots are typically lighter-bodied than most, but that allows a lot of the rest of what makes Pinot Noir so special to shine through. The Charamar Pinot is light-bodied, but full of fruit; it has enough tannin and acid to hold up to the right pairing; the barrel notes are present and not overshadowed by the other components.”

The Charamar Collection is Cherry Creek’s premium line of wines. It typically, but not always, features vinifera grapes. It's named after the family farm Spensley grew up on and features small batch runs of their best wines.

We also sampled the 2022 Charamar Pinot Blanc, a lively white with just a whisper of sweetness. It is crisp with plentiful minerality and peach and white floral notes.

Cherry Creek Cellars vineyard

Cherry Creek’s location in South Central Michigan limits the varieties they can grow, so they rely on contracts with other vineyards around the state. The estate vineyard exclusively features cold-hardy hybrids like Frontenac and Adalmiina, among others, that mostly end up in blends. Most contracts are with growers of premium vinifera from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, though they do get some fruit from the Leelanau Peninsula. All the grapes in their wines are proudly grown in Michigan.

The hybrid grapes provide challenges of their own, but according to Spensley, their resilience is unmatched. “In my 15 years here, we’ve had some brutal winters, but the vines wake up in the spring like nothing ever happened,” he said. “I love our vines and working in the vineyard when I’m not pulled in 100 different directions.” He notes that some of their most popular wines are produced with hybrids.

Cherry Creek Cellars historic schoolhouse tasting room

Their charming tasting room is a historic one-room schoolhouse. Square footage is limited, but they have an exceptional outdoor space used year-round with bands and live music in the summer and igloos and events throughout the winter. A winemaker dinner series is offered as well as a regular café menu of shareable dishes.

As if sipping the tip-top wine in the state isn’t enough, Cherry Creek also offers cider and beer. “We have four to five staple ciders and a couple of rotating taps, depending on the season,” said Spensley. “Like our wines, they range from dry to sweet and feature some fun and unique flavors. We chose to offer ciders (and beer) because they fit our 'something for everyone' mantra. We understand that not everyone is a wine drinker, but we promise that whether it's wine, beer, or cider, we have something on our list that you’ll enjoy. Honestly, our list is probably too big for a small winery, but it's our mission to make sure everyone walks away having enjoyed their time here.” 

Sabrage, Sparkles & Sips: A Wine Lover’s Tour Through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley

British Columbia’s wine scene is overflowing with cool-climate elegance, and the Fraser Valley—just a short drive from Vancouver—is one of its most accessible and charming regions. 

After visiting the Canadian wine strongholds of Ontario and Okanagan, we were eager to check out this new-to-us area. Known for its crisp whites, expressive reds, and growing reputation for traditional method sparkling wines, the Fraser Valley offers a mix of boutique wineries, passionate winemakers, and unforgettable tasting experiences. During our recent visit, we explored three standout wineries that showcased the artistry and soul of BC wine: Township 7, Backyard Vineyards, and Chaberton Estate Winery.

Saber & Sip at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery

As many of you know, I love to saber sparkling wine—and on this trip, I had the chance to perform my first international sabrage! Thanks to Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, a winery acclaimed for its Seven Stars sparkling collection, I got to pop a bottle in style during their Saber & Sip tasting experience.

This unique offering includes a guided tasting of their traditional method bubbles and the thrilling opportunity to saber a bottle yourself—outdoors, with a vineyard view and a gleaming Champagne saber in hand. The setting featured a perfect “launch” area for sabrage, with a stack of wine barrels as a target. I was offered a plastic face guard, which was similar to one on an NHL helmet. Needless to say, I declined.

Polaris, a Chardonnay-based sparkler, was the one I chose to saber. The wine offers a taste of brioche with creamy perlage and citrus notes. In the interest of improving international relations, we shared the sabered wine with our new Canadian friends. We also sampled the Riegel (Riesling-based), Sirius (a Pinot-Chardonnay blend), and Aurora, a Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir. It was surprising to discover a winery specializing in bubbles in the midst of Langley, BC.

Our host, Zulie Visram, led us through a delightful tasting overlooking the vines. Each of the Seven Stars wines had its own personality, and the experience was pure magic. If you’re visiting the Vancouver area, Township 7 should absolutely be on your itinerary—especially if you’re ready to channel your inner sword-wielding sommelier.

Legacy and Rare Grapes at Chaberton Estate Winery

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Chaberton Estate Winery, one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest estate wineries. We were warmly welcomed by winemaker Gary Zhygailo, who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyard, production area, and barrel room. Joining my wife and me were Margot Savell (@writeforwine) and her husband, Dave—dear friends from our Wine Bloggers Conference days dating back 15 years.

Gary, originally from Ukraine, brings heart and energy to every bottle. His guided tasting introduced us to Chaberton’s 55 acres of vines, including rare grapes like Ortega, Bacchus, and Siegerrebe. The 2024 Dry Bacchus was a revelation—floral and peachy with lovely stonefruit notes. This was our first taste of this grape – and we loved it. The winery also offers an off-dry Bacchus, which is their best seller.

The 2024 Pinot Gris, aged partially in barrel and on the lees, delivers a smooth, textured package with notes of grapefruit, ginger, and lemon. The 2023 La Fleur de Chaberton Rosé, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, was fresh and minerally with hints of watermelon.

Among the reds, the 2023 Estate Zweigelt (15 months in neutral oak) stood out with vanilla and spice, while the 2019 Cabernet Franc Reserve was silky and rich with cocoa and currant. The crowning wine was the 2020 Meritage from the Okanagan Valley VQA —a heavenly blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Chaberton is a true gem, offering unexpected varieties and a warm welcome that made our visit an epic wine adventure. 

Cozy Charm and Bold Reds at Backyard Vineyards

Our final stop in Langley was Backyard Vineyards, nestled in the Fraser Valley just 45 minutes from Vancouver. This cozy, welcoming winery is the second-oldest in the region, with roots dating back to 2000. We opted for the reserve tasting and paired it with a delicious charcuterie board—an ideal way to unwind after a day of vineyard hopping.

Backyard Vineyards is known for its 100% BC wines, and the 2022 Bacchus white wine was a standout. This grape thrives in the Fraser Valley’s cooler climate, and the wine was bursting with peach and tropical fruit. The reds were equally impressive. These grapes are sourced from the southern Okanagan Valley, except for five acres of estate Pinot Noir. The 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc dazzled with cranberry, plum, and pepper, while the limited-production 2020 Reserve Meritage (just 120 cases!) offered crushed strawberry and tobacco notes.

We couldn’t resist bringing home the award-winning 2020 Reserve Syrah, a savory treat layered with raspberry, dried herbs, and licorice. With its gazebo and outdoor seating overlooking the vines, Backyard Vineyards is a perfect sipping spot for your next BC adventure.

Final Thoughts

British Columbia’s Fraser Valley is more than just a wine region—it’s a place where tradition meets innovation, and every tasting comes with a story. Langley is a short drive from Vancouver, giving you a chance to escape the big city for a relaxing day in wine country. Whether you’re sabering sparkling wine at Township 7, sipping Syrah at Backyard Vineyards, or exploring rare grapes at Chaberton Estate, you’ll certainly find something to love. And for me, it was a chance to reconnect with old friends, discover new favorites, and raise a glass to the brilliance of BC wine.