Are there still folks around who believe that all Michigan wine is sweet and awful? The area’s newest winery and tasting room, which opened last weekend in Three Oaks, is the latest to prove that belief wrong.

Dreihart Winery is an offshoot of 6Linden, a gourmet grocery in Three Oaks that specializes in local and artisan products—meat, cheeses, eggs, produce—as well as Rancho Gordo beans, imported pastas and tinned and frozen fish.

The tiny tasting room—capacity 25—is located in back of the 6Linden building (enter on South Elm Street across from Carver Memorial Park).

The man behind the bar pouring tastes and glasses is Gottfried Hart, the passionate winemaker who owns 6Linden with his wife, Anne. You know how it’s said that some people have a twinkle in their eye? I defy you to tell me that’s not the case with Gottfried.

Gottfried has been tending a vineyard in Three Oaks Township since the 1990s and has been making wine for friends and family for years. He also was a co-owner of Hickory Creek Winery in Buchanan.

He’s one of several winemakers in the area (like Hickory Creek) who understands that Michigan can produce dry, complex wines reminiscent of those from Austria and his native Germany and Austria. He’s an expert on hybrid and vinifera grapes that do well in southwest Michigan’s climate, and he’s happy to expound upon that, history, and viticulture with visitors.

Not all the wines Hart produces are from his grapes. He also sources from Nitz Family Vineyards in Baroda and other local growers.

The tasting room is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday from noon to 6 pm
and Sundays, noon to 4 pm. On Fridays, Gottfried and Ann will offer a dozen oysters with a bottle of Dreihart’s tasty sparkling chardonnay/pinot noir for $50 (subject to change). Or go ala carte and get three oysters for $9 (but why would you?).

I sampled the sparkling, as well as two rosés and a pinot noir, and while I’m no wine expert, I am experienced, and was happy enough to buy two bottles to take home. You can also taste his dry cider, several rieslings, a barrel-aged chardonnay, a red blend cab franc and more. Tastings are three pours for $15; wines are sold by the glass as well.

The tasting room would be a great place to reserve for a small party outside of regular business hours.

You won’t want to leave without grabbing some groceries from 6Linden, which has been open three years but is still a bit under the radar, judging from the people I know who’ve not heard of it. Three Oaks is really having a moment. Watch this space for more on this charming village.

Dreihart Winery and 6Linden: 6 Linden St. E, Three Oaks, 269-405-2018