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Contessa Wine Cellars
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
11 reviews for Contessa Wine Cellars
11 reviews in English
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Review from Renee S.
Mishawaka, IN
11/7/2011
Nice! This is a gem. Of our four winery trips this weekend, this was the prettiest and tied for first. Prices can't be beat, customer service awesome, this guy knows what he is doing and will let you taste as much as you like.
Two of us, shared tastes, alternated wines, hammed it up with the owner who was very big on promoting the area businesses and competing winery. Now I don't know about you, but i think that's pretty awesome for him to do that. The thing is, he knows his wines are better...and he is RIGHT! He provided us with a flyer for a winery in Ohio that's one of he and his wife's fav's and we can't wait to try it out!
Thanks Contessa....keep up the good work. You have a beautiful facility!
I read the reviews and was leary, but we got here at first opening, no one in store, owner at our beckon call, I believe he has only the place a year (?). He did say he had 500 yesterday, so if they are that busy....c'mon people, how do you expect them to be able to keep up? And if it is summer, kudos for hiring college kids to pour. I wouldn't expect to ask them about winemaking or processing, we have to have some common sense about who we ask what questions. As for those who like Karma better, potato vs potatoe. Go to both, see yourself. Who cares about the label on the bottle, really? -
Review from Christina G.
Chicago, IL
8/24/2011
We walked into the large, impressive looking winery and found two other people there tasting...on a Saturday. Where was everyone? We were used to waiting for an opening at the tasting bar, but here, we walked right up to it.
I wasn't impressed by the staff or the wines. Sure, the staff was nice enough, but they looked like college kids working a summer job and didn't know that much about the wine or how to make it. They simply asked what we'd like to try and they poured it for us.
The tasting itself was free, and we each only sampled about three different wines. Nothing was over the top delicious and made me want to have it. We did purchase some blueberry wine though, because it was a little awkward to be sitting there with the servers and not buy anything when we were the only ones in there (the other two were out on the patio at this point).
There is a large patio overlooking the vineyards, which would have been a nice place to sit and chat, had we had the time. The rain had cleared out by then, but had left everything wet. One of the employees did ask us if we wanted him to wipe off some chairs so we could sit outside, but we declined. He did take a photo of us though.
Oh, I thought this was cute - they had animal crackers as their palate cleanser.
Not sure I'd head back on my own, but I'd tag along if someone else wanted to go try it out for the first time. -
Review from Anj F.
Detroit, MI
1/25/2012
Best winery in the area! Extremely friendly owner and great wine, loved Celeste and the blush wine and the blueberry was a nice different fruit wine. Learned a ton about Michigan wines and had a great time. This is a must visit winery if you are in the area or worth the trip if not!
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Review from John N.
Manhattan, NY
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
We were driving from Detroit to Chicago and we saw sooo many sign of winery so we got curious and decided on trying one. We stop by Contessa and there were no ones there beside us but the owner made us feel welcome and was super nice and friendly. We sat down and each person try whatever they feel like drinking. All of the wines were too young for me personally but the highlight was the Cherry dessert wine because it was tasty and I can image how many food items that I can easily make w/so we grab 3 bottle. Overall we had a good time because one of our friend never try a wine tastering or ever want to a winery so that was cool. The owner was awesome and share about his wine knowledge. I am glad we made this stop.
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Review from Margaret N.
Chicago, IL
9/25/2011
The wine was just ok, the view from their deck was better! Otherwise this was absolutely nothing special. I guess I've been spoiled by California... Oh well.
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Review from Jay F.
South Bend, IN
9/18/2011
Beautiful property. Low quality wine. All of the wines had been open too long or had major winemaking flaws. When I question the gentleman about the off aromas of sherry and vinegar in the wine he gave me some bullshit answer on how wine should have those aromas. I wasn't going to argue, I just left. Unless they drastically improve their wine quality, I would skip this place when wine tasting in southwest Michigan.
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Review from Vickie L.
Chicago, IL
7/10/2009
Went on a Saturday and they were packed. We had a large group and they only had 1 person behind the bar (actually in the entire place) and he took forever making pours. I understand, he needed to chat with the patrons about the wine to make the sale, but if he had at least 1 other person, the experience would have been much better. I even called a week beforehand to reserve a time, but he said to just walk in.
Compared to Karma Vista winery just down the street, the wine was pricier, and they didn't have as much variety. The labeling leaves much to be desired. They do have a pretty deck out in the front though for enjoying a glass of wine. -
Review from Samir N.
Royal Oak, MI
10/21/2010
I actually wandered in here after looking for Chocolate Garden (a bit further up the road). This was my first time through Michigan "wine country", and thanks to my low expectations I was very pleasantly surprised. The prices were reasonable (~$10/bottle) and they have a glorious patio. If I had more time, I would have loved to enjoy the great day outside on the deck. The Prediletto Blush fit the bill in satisfying my sweet tooth.
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Review from Michelle C.
Kouts, IN
5/16/2010
I had a much different experience than most of the people on here. The staff was very friendly and attentive to me despite the fact that there were 30+ people tasting while we were there.
It's important to remember that wine tasting isn't about drinking as much as you can as quickly as you can so that you can get drunk and move on to the next winery (which I realize some of you are doing based on your driving abilities). It's about tasting the wine and figuring out what you like.
Nothing here knocked my socks off (although the wind did blow my skirt up) but I'm not a huge Michigan wine fan. Never have been and probably never will be. -
Review from Amanda D.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2007
Close to Chicago and Detroit.. near a CHOCOLATE Garden!
The wine was pretty good--for Michigan. The vineyard isn't producing its own grapes yet (I think they planted this past year for the 1st time) but the tasting room was clean and everyone friendly. I hope they get the vineyard side of things going- it would help the ambience a bit, but overall I would reccomend going! -
Review from dana m.
Hazel Crest, IL
9/21/2009
I visited a few wineries in Michigan yesterday for an annual girls outing. This is an annual trip and every year we wonder why we even bother visiting this joint. The folks working behind the counter were not friendly at all, they act they are doing us a favor by gracing us with their presence. They chatted up a storm with another couple, but pretty much ignored me and my friends. We left there with only purchasing a wine stopper, i'm actually mad i purchased anything at this joint. there are far better wineries and nicer people who appreciate your business!
