February brings loads of odes to love, but we’re inclined to wax poetic about a very specific adoration: cherries.  It’s National Cherry Month in Northern Michigan and we’ve pulled together five ways to celebrate this passionate, patriotic, probiotic piece of heaven—from cherry juice and cherry pie to chocolate covered cherries and Northern Michigan cherry wine.

Cherry Stop, Traverse City

Brighten a dreary winter day by baking a pie with Triple Cherries Galore pie filling. This cherry pie powerhouse packs its delicious punch with Montmorency tarts, dark sweets and Balaton cherries. thecherrystop.com

Benjamin Twiggs Legendary Cherry Products, Traverse City

Restock shelves with Northern Michigan's on sale cherry goodness right now.  Check out Benjamin Twiggs Legendary Cherry Products in Traverse City for a trifecta of cherry salsas. The special February price, $20.95, also scores you a free jar of fruit juice sweetened cherry preserves. Salsa not your thing? There’s a host of other cherry-rific products available cheap all month. benjamintwiggs.com

Grand Traverse Pie Company, Traverse City and other locations

Chopping down a cherry tree might be a sin around these parts, but for George Washington, his truth-telling (and ax) made felling a fruit tree part of national lore. Honor our first president with a slice of Grand Traverse Pie Company’s cherry ganache pie.  This crumble cherry pie, filled with montmorency cherries and topped with glorious ganache, can be shipped or picked up for $26.99 at a Pie Company location. gtpie.com

Cherry Republic, Traverse City and Glen Arbor

Nothing says love like chocolate, unless it’s chocolate and cherries.  Whether you’re single or smitten, treat yourself like a Valentine cupid by indulging in serious sweetness.  Cherry Republic’s celebratory sale includes cherry fudge varieties, $16.95; milk chocolate covered cherries, $10.95; imperial malted milk balls, $8.50; and more. cherryrepublic.com

Traverse Bay Farms, Bellaire

Pump up your heart with an infusion of cherry power from Traverse Bay Farms.  The straight-from-concentrate juice, chock full of antioxidants and proven to reduce cardiovascular disease, makes for the perfect post-workout or pre-bedtime drink. Sign up for a two bottle monthly delivery of tart cherry juice for $21.95 a month. traversebayfarms.com  

Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery, Leelanau County

Raise a glass and toast the tart things in life (and the excuse to drink a tasty Michigan wine in the middle of winter).  Leelanau County's Bel Lago cherry wine doubles as the perfect hot toddy.  Here’s the secret cherry recipe, designed by the vineyard’s own resident winemaker: one bottle cherry wine, six cloves, 10 whole allspice berries, 1/4 stick cinnamon, and two small, smashed piece of nutmeg.  Heat wine and spices to 120-degrees (a whole new use for the Crock-Pot!) and strain out the spices.  bellago.com