Stay Uncorked in Traverse City

Let's face it: During Cherry Festival next week, you'll be visiting Traverse City for the Blue Angels, the parade, the entertainment, the nonstop cherry eating, the cherry-emblazoned souvenirs and of course, the fantastic people watching.

But maybe you didn't know that you could do all of those things -- and more -- year-round at the Cherry Stop? For aficionados, it's the one place in the cherry capital of the world that bills itself as showcasing the "world's largest selection of cherry food and gift items."

Last summer Cherry Stop owners Nick and Jamie Roster launched Uncorked, Traverse City's first wine bar just inside their Front Street shop to showcase the area's wines, craft beer and spirits. From a long list of local picks, you can sip a sample for $1, a flight of samples for $2.50, a glass from $3.50 on up, or buy a bottle starting at $8.59.

Of course, there are cherry wines. Uncorked also makes a mean Cherritini with Grand Traverse Distillery's Cherry Vodka. Should you want to venture outside the cherry realm, you will find a host of hard apple ciders, raspberry wine, pear, well, you get the idea. In all Uncorked stocks more than 250 different wines, and features live entertainment Saturday evenings.

The Rosters bought the Cherry Stop from its previous owners in 2005 and since have added new product lines. "We do all our own baking," says Jamie, "and our own fudge."

Writer: Patty LaNoue Stearns
Source: Jamie Roster