About the Collaborative

The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is the voice of the Michigan wine industry.

Our Mission: To enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations.

We want you! Whether it’s supporting the industry as a dues-paying member or board member, a supplier/affiliate, a sponsor, or a volunteer, we need your help! Our goal is to support and promote the Michigan wine industry, but we can only accomplish this together. Please consider giving your time or a small donation. Every hour and penny helps! Join now, donate now, or become a corporate sponsor now.

Click here to view the official MWC press release.

Click here for a brief history of MWC.

Meet the Leadership

BRIAN LILLIE

PRESIDENT

Brian Lillie is the Vice President of Hospitality and Distribution at Chateau Chantal Winery. He has been active in the Michigan Wine Industry since 2005. For a decade he worked with the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council planning the Annual Grape and Wine Conference. In 2013 he chaired the MiCast (Michigan Certified Alcohol Service Training) Program which received the 2015 Pure Michigan Governor’s Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration Award in Education and Training.

ANDREW BACKLIN

VICE PRESIDENT

Andrew Backlin, a native Northern Californian, has been surrounded by winegrowing and winemaking for much of his life. During high school, his first job was working on a bottling line after school. Andrew always had an interest in foraging for wild plants and fermentation. It started with kombucha brewing, which then led to homebrewing, and eventually, he fell in love with winemaking. Andrew began his Michigan wine career at Lawton Ridge Winery before briefly returning to California to work for Duckhorn wines. In 2018, he and his family returned to Michigan to become the winemaker at Modales in Fennville where he focuses  90% of winemaking processes to Native Fermentations and adopting a hands-off approach. Modales is now transitioning their vineyards to organic viticulture.

PETER KING III

TREASURER

Peter King III has been making wine for the past 8 years. He is one of three founding partners of Drew Ryan wines based out of Southfield Michigan. The partners are in the process of opening a tasting room in the city of Detroit and have planted the first vines this past spring on a small lot off of the Detroit river where they are growing Cabernet Franc grapes.

BRIAN LESPERANCE

SECRETARY

Brian heads up Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville, MI. Brian’s background in operations and management coupled with Fenn Valley’s vast experience allowed him to assume the title of Winemaker in 2015. He now runs the day-to-day operations with a focus on marketing and business development. 

Why Join the MWC?

Benefits of joining the Michigan Wine Collaborative include

  • Uniting and promoting the Michigan grape and wine industry within Michigan and on the national and world wine stage
  • Helping to direct industry research in and around our region
  • Discounts on annual seminars and shows
  • Complimentary Vintage Michigan Membership
  • Access to our members-only portal, which will include discussion forums; a marketplace; vineyard focused weather reporting; various tools, documents, and workshops to stay educated; and more.
MEMBERSHIP INFO

Resources

SUSTAINABILITY

Staying on top of future trends in the wine industry is an important area of focus for the Michigan Wine Collaborative. Aided by grants from USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program in 2014 – 2017, in partnership with the former Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and 5 Lakes Energy, the Michigan Wine Collaborative gathered key resource materials for the industry to explore the development of a Michigan Wine Industry Sustainability Program in 2017. Vineyard and winery owners, explore how to adopt and promote sustainability practices appropriate for your business and find resources for program development.

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News & Events

MWC September 2024 Newsletter

September 2024 Newsletter It’s officially the 2024/25 MWC Membership/Sponsorship Drive, Participate in an MSUE survey, Exhibit at the Grand Rapids Wine, Beer, and Food Festival, Read the Northern MI wine edition of Screw It Wine & Spirits Mag, Check out new grant opportunities, Learn about open committee chair positions,  and More! It’s Time to Renew!…

Read more
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