Businesses around the world are devoting time and energy to increasing the sustainability of their business practices to maximize the “triple bottom line” – people, planet and profit. Terms such as “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)” and “Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE)” are used synonymously with “sustainability” to describe these efforts. The Michigan Wine Collaborative encourages its members to engage in this mission as resources allow. In many cases, regulations guide our industry towards increasing standards of sustainable practices. This section of the Michigan Wine Collaborative website provides a list of resources that may be helpful to members as they continue their sustainability practices journey. The page also provides information about the Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance which was developed as a unifying force of Michigan wine industry members who have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability practices.
Sustainability Resources
Current Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance Members
- 12 Corners
- 45 North Winery and Vineyards
- Black Star Farms
- Bowers Harbor Vineyards
- Brengman Bros.
- Chateau Chantal
- Domaine Berrien
- Fenn Valley Vineyards
- MAWBY
- Northern Sun Winery
- Round Barn Winery
- St. Julian Wine Co.
- Shady Lane Cellars
- Ten Hands Vineyards
- Youngblood Vineyards
- Michigan Specific Resources
- Information from Other Regions
- General Information
- Presentations
- Blogs
- Media Coverage
- Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance
Michigan Specific Resources
The Michigan Winegrape Sustainability Program Feasibility Study 2015
- The Michigan Winegrape Sustainability Program Feasibility Study 2015 Executive Summary
- The Michigan Winegrape Sustainability Program Feasibility Study 2015 Full Report
- Chart Comparing Winery Sustainability Programs = Appendix to the Michigan Winegrape Sustainability Program Feasibility Study 2015
- Infographic – The Michigan Winegrape Sustainability Program Feasibility Study 2015
Wastewater Management Resources
- Water Management Checklist for the Michigan Wine Industry
- Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Guidance for the Design of Land Treatment Systems Utilized at Wineries
- Guidance for the Design of Land Treatment Systems Powerpoint
- Lakeshore Environmental: A Study on the Effectiveness of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems for Michigan Wineries
- Michigan Treatment for On-Site Wastewater Treatment
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP‘s mission is to develop and implement a proactive environmental assurance program ensuring that Michigan farmers are engaging in cost-effective pollution prevention practices and working to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.
Information from Other Regions
The information provided in the documents listed below and the websites of the regional organizations informed much of the discussion in developing a plan for a Michigan wine industry sustainability program, outlined in the 2015 Feasibility Report.
California
Specific Resources
- “Sustainable Water Management Handbook for Small Wineries” by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
- California Winery Water and Energy Sustainability Program Guide
Washington
Specific Resources
LIVE – Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia
Specific Resources
- Annual Report – 2014
- LIVE water practices
- 2015 Winery Checklist Summary
- 2015 LIVE Vineyard Checklist
Long Island, New York
Virginia
British Columbia
Specific Resources
General Information
Presentations
Blogs
Media Coverage
Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance
The Michigan Wine Collaborative initiated the Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance (GLSWA) in 2017 to recognize members of the Collaborative who are verified by the Michigan Agriculture Assurance Program www.maeap.org. Please contact Matt Moersch, Sustainability Committee Chair matt@roundbarnwinery if you have questions about the program or would like be included in the list of members of the GLSWA.
Over time, the program may be expanded to include more ecosystem and habitat criteria, social equity criteria and winery criteria. In preparation for the future, we encourage members of the industry to work through sustainability self-assessments from other regions that are available on-line. Developing your own action plan for further implementation of sustainable practices in your business will prepare you for a faster and smoother certification process later.
By becoming a member of the Michigan Wine Collaborative and the Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance you will:
- Learn about educational opportunities to develop strategies for communicating with your customers regarding your sustainability practices
- Have opportunities to provide input from the wine industry in Michigan to MAEAP and in the future development of the Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance
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