Burgdorf’s Winery, located at 5635 Shoeman Road, displays the marks of a typical Haslett home, yet inside owners Deb and Dave Burgdorf have taken a few drums of fruit and turned it into an award-winning business. As the only Lansing-area winery, Burgdorf’s has become the destination for students and members of the MSU community looking to sample Michigan-made wine.
Head vintner Deb Burgdorf and her husband Dave started out as wine hobbyists, deciding to take a swing at turning their love of wine into a business by converting their garage into a production facility in 2005. Eight years later, the duo continues to expanded, transforming their three-stall garage into a tasting room complete with decorum and an endless supply of wine.
“We produce 24 different wines here at Burgdorf’s and we are always experimenting and looking for new varieties to work with,” Deb Burgdorf said.
All of the wine produced at the winery uses fruits from the state of Michigan, including grapes grown on the university’s campus. Five varieties of wine bottled at Burgdorf’s contain fruits from MSU, according to Deb Burgdorf. Their new facility behind the house features six 500-gallon containers used in wine production, as well as a lab where Deb Burgdorf tests all of the vintages on site.
While college campuses typically are known for students imbibing to an excessive degree, Deb Burgdorf acknowledges that her product is intended for a different audience.
“Most of our customers aren’t drinking to get drunk,” she said. “Our products are meant to be sipped and enjoyed with family and friends.”
She added the pairing of wine also plays an important role in its consumption.
“Wines are just so unique, paired with food it just creates a pleasant feeling,” Deb Burgdorf said.
Everything, from removing stems to processing the fruit to bottling the final product happens on site, according to Dave Burgdorf. When asked about his favorite variety, Dave laughed, pointing out it has never been about one particular wine.
“I prefer different wines at different times, whatever is in my glass at the time is my favorite,” he said.
Carl Borchgrevink, as associate professor within the School of Hospitality Business, has been educating students on wine for over 10 years and said students, regardless of major, are interested in learning more about wine. More than 1,400 students enrolled in wine education classes during the 2012-13 school year as well as the summer 2013 semester.
Beyond MSU, Borchgrevink said Michigan is becoming a wine destination.
“The wine industry in Michigan is growing in vibrancy and in economic impact,” he said.
In addition, over 2 million people are expected to visit Michigan wineries this year alone, according to Borchgrevink.
Ava McKeel, a no-preference sophomore, said she cannot wait to learn more about wine once she turns 21 years old.
“I want to take the online class junior year so when I am 21 I can do the actual wine-tasting class.” McKeel said. “I would love to learn about wine and why and how it all tastes different.”
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