Category Archives: Indiana

Bridges Waterside Grille

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**** (4 stars)

This place is right on the canal, and offers a nice view of the boats passing by, as well as having slips for boaters who want to eat. There are quite a lot of tables, but the staff did a good job of keeping up with them, even though they were full.

The food is fairly standard sports bar/fish camp stuff, with lots of sandwiches and fried offerings. They also serve alcoholic beverages.

Bridges Waterside Grille
508 E 2nd St
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 878-0227
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bridges-waterside-grille-michigan-city-2

Shady Creek Winery

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***** (5 stars)

This is one of the best wineries in the area for visitors, because they have good wines, a nice ambiance and an extensive food menu. The staff is friendly, and on the day we were there they had live entertainment.

One of the reasons their wines are good is because they are making their dry wines from California grapes, not local ones (which are better suited to making sweet wines).

Everything we sampled was well made. Note that there is a fee ($5) for five samples.

Shady Creek Winery
2030 Tryon Rd
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 874-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/shady-creek-winery-michigan-city

Anderson’s Orchards & Winery

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** (2 stars)

Anderson’s has a nice gift shop and sells local honey and hobby winemaking supplies. The staff is personable, and they have cool beverages to go. Unfortunately none of the wines we tried were of commercial quality, so it’s best to stick with their other offerings.

Anderson’s Orchards & Winery
430 E US Hwy 6
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-4936
http://www.yelp.com/biz/andersons-orchards-and-winery-valparaiso

Butler Winery

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***** (5 stars)

It’s hard to make great dry wines from unusual grapes in difficult growing areas, so Butler winery is to be commended for their excellent results. Lots of wineries in the area produce drinkable sweet wines from local grapes, but Butler is the only one we visited that is making outstanding dry wines using those varietals. Everything we tried was a terrific example of meticulous winemaking.

There’s small attached shop at the entrance, and then a tasting counter staffed by very personable and knowledgeable folks who are justifiably proud of their award winning wines. We purchased a mixed half case of dry whites and reds.

Butler Winery
401 Broadway
Chesterton, IN 46304
(219) 929-1400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/butler-winery-chesterton