Tabor Hill Cherry

Tabor Hill Cherry is a fruit wine made from 100% Balaton tart cherries by Tabor Hill Winery in Michigan's Lake Michigan Shore AVA, available in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression is its use of the rare Balaton cherry — a Hungarian varietal brought to Michigan by Michigan State University scientists — and stainless steel fermentation that amplifies the fruit's naturally bold, spice-laden character.

Quick Facts: Origin: Lake Michigan Shore AVA, Michigan  |  Style: Sweet Cherry Fruit Wine  |  Varietal: 100% Balaton Tart Cherries  |  Winery: Tabor Hill Winery

Production & Heritage

Tabor Hill Winery operates in southwestern Michigan within the Lake Michigan Shore American Viticultural Area, a region shaped by the moderating influence of Lake Michigan and well suited to cool-climate viticulture and fruit cultivation. The cherry wine is produced exclusively from Balaton tart cherries, a cultivar native to the Lake Balaton region of Hungary that was introduced to Michigan by Michigan State University researchers. Fermentation and aging take place entirely in stainless steel tanks — a deliberate choice to preserve the cherry's vivid color, natural acidity, and aromatic intensity without any oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe, concentrated tart cherry dominates the nose, followed by warm baking-spice layers of cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom. The effect is distinctly reminiscent of a freshly baked cherry pie crust.

Taste: The entry is immediately sweet and fruit-forward, with a rush of dark cherry and candied spice across the mid-palate. As the wine develops, refreshing natural acidity from the Balaton cherries counters the sweetness, creating a balanced interplay that keeps the wine from becoming cloying. The overall impression is rich yet lively.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, with tart cherry lingering alongside fading warmth of allspice and cardamom. A clean, slightly tangy close invites another sip.

How to Drink Tabor Hill Cherry

Serve chilled between 45–50°F to let the sweet-tart balance shine; it also works well over ice on warmer days. A Cherry Sangria built with sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy plays directly into the wine's natural spice profile. A Cherry Spritzer — equal parts wine and chilled sparkling water with a squeeze of lime — makes a low-ABV refresher that highlights the Balaton cherry's acidity. For something richer, use it in a Mulled Cherry Wine heated gently with star anise, orange peel, and a cinnamon stick, which amplifies the warm spice notes already present in the bottle.

Best For

• Gifting to someone who loves Michigan-made artisanal products
• Dessert course pairing at a dinner party featuring chocolate or stone-fruit dishes
• Introducing fruit wine newcomers to a well-balanced, food-friendly example
• Holiday entertaining where warm mulled wine or festive spritzers are on the menu

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tabor Hill Cherry taste like? It opens sweet and fruit-forward with concentrated dark cherry, layered with warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom, then finishes with a refreshing tart lift from the Balaton cherry's natural acidity.

How does Tabor Hill Cherry compare to other Michigan cherry wines? Tabor Hill uses 100% Balaton tart cherries rather than the more common Montmorency variety found in many Michigan fruit wines, which gives it a deeper color and a distinctly spicier, more intense flavor profile. The stainless steel aging also keeps the fruit character clean and unmasked by oak.

Is Tabor Hill Cherry good for sipping on its own? Yes — served chilled, its balance of natural sweetness and bright acidity makes it a satisfying standalone pour, especially for drinkers who enjoy fruit-driven wines with some complexity.

Where is Tabor Hill Cherry made? Tabor Hill Cherry is produced by Tabor Hill Winery in southwestern Michigan's Lake Michigan Shore AVA, a federally recognized wine region known for its temperate microclimate influenced by Lake Michigan.

What foods pair well with Tabor Hill Cherry? Dark chocolate truffles complement the wine's deep cherry sweetness. Baked brie with cherry compote mirrors its fruit and spice notes. Roast duck or pork loin with a cherry glaze creates a savory-sweet bridge. Spiced pecan pie echoes the cinnamon and allspice character. Aged gouda offers a salty, caramelized contrast to the wine's tartness.

What sizes does Tabor Hill Cherry come in? Tabor Hill Cherry is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tabor Hill Cherry worth the price? It positions as an accessible, everyday fruit wine, but the use of 100% Balaton tart cherries and careful stainless steel production elevate it above many mass-market cherry wines in the same price tier.

Why Tabor Hill Cherry?

The defining factor here is the Balaton tart cherry itself — a Hungarian cultivar that is less widely planted than the ubiquitous Montmorency and delivers a noticeably richer, more aromatic fruit with natural spice complexity. Tabor Hill's decision to ferment and age exclusively in stainless steel ensures that those varietal characteristics reach the glass without interference. The result is a cherry wine that moves well beyond simple sweetness into genuinely interesting territory, with layers of cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom that develop naturally from the fruit rather than from added flavoring. For anyone exploring Michigan's fruit wine tradition, this bottling represents the region's terroir and agricultural heritage in a direct, unmanipulated way.