February 2025 Newsletter
Enter your wines in the 2025 Taste MI Governor’s Cup, RSVP for MWC member exclusive webinars, Get to know our 2024/25 sponsors and join their ranks, Check out the 2025 MWC Media Kit, Be a part of Share & Pair Sundays, Attend the 2025 Michigan Craft Beverage Summit, and more! |
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2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition
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| The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is excited to the 2025 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition. This event represents Michigan’s only statewide industry driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our wine industry.
MWC has once again partnered with the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) for the official third annual Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards in 2025. Following some discussions with participants from past competitions MWC has been working with BevTest to improve upon the previous expectations of this competition to offer an enhanced experience for wineries entering wines including more intentional and technical feedback, transparency on the professionals tasting the wines and rating them, and opportunities to increase funding for Michigan Wine Collaborative marketing and promotional projects. We also updated the competition logo to showcase the Taste Michigan brand.
BevTest will conduct a series of professional blind tastings to rate and rank a set of Michigan produced wines, meads, and ciders at the BevTest Chicago testing facility. The final tasting results with all wine’s scores, medal ranks, constructive criticism, Best of Category, Governor’s Case Winners, and Governor’s Cup winners would be prepared for and provided to MWC by May 31, 2025.
Learn more about 2025 competition updates and winner incentives HERE! |
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MWC Member Exclusive Webinars
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Prime Vintage- Uncorking the Gaps: Hidden Risks Wineries & Cideries Can’t Afford to Overlook
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| Join the Beverage Federation for a brief review of how to get access to the MI Wine Collaborative savings program. The Beverage Federation has partnered with the MI Wine Collaborative to set up a program to provide members with savings in 2025. We’ll go through how to get access to the Beverage Federation platform using the MI Wine Collaborative promo code(MIWINEBEV). We’ll also review some examples of how to find what you are looking for and take any questions on products or services wineries might be looking into this month. |
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Prime Vintage- Uncorking the Gaps: Hidden Risks Wineries & Cideries Can’t Afford to Overlook
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Protect Your Winery or Cidery from Unexpected Risks with Help From Prime Vintage!
March 6th 10am (Zoom)When it comes to protecting your winery or cidery, what you don’t know can cost you. From unexpected equipment failures to liability exposures unique to the industry, overlooking key coverage areas in your insurance policy can lead to significant financial and operational setbacks.
In this webinar, experts from Prime Vintage Insurance will walk Michigan Wine Collaborative members through the often-missed risks that can impact their businesses—before they become costly problems. Join us to ensure your coverage is as refined as the products you craft, safeguarding your business for the long haul.
When disaster strikes, will your winery or cidery be covered? Many businesses in our industry unknowingly overlook critical insurance gaps, leaving them vulnerable to costly setbacks. From weather-related damages and liability concerns to business interruptions and equipment failures, ensuring your coverage is comprehensive can mean the difference between resilience and ruin.
Join us for an exclusive webinar with Prime Vintage Insurance, the experts in winery and cidery coverage, as we uncover hidden risks that could impact your business. Learn what to look for in your policy, how to avoid costly surprises, and ensure that your winery is fully protected.
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Get to Know MWC’s 2024/25 Sponsors!
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MWC works hard for the Michigan wine industry and none of it would be possible without our members or our sponsors. We wanted to take some time this month to recognize some of our biggest supporters.
Including:
Get to know how these suppliers, vendors, and stakeholders support Michigan wine, the MWC, and how they can help grow your business!
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The 2025 MWC Media Kit is HERE!
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| MWC is excited to announce and release our 2025 Media Kit. This spectacular production aims to serve as a general introduction to the Michigan Wine Collaborative and includes information about who we are, what we are working on, who we serve, what we believe, and how you can get involved. We are excited to continue working with the Michigan wine industry and related industries to grow the Michigan grape and wine industries. We hope you will join us as we work towards a bigger, better, faster, tastier wine and grape industry. |
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| Share & Pair Sundays is a 2025 Spring-to-Summer campaign that celebrates the delicious marriage of wine and food. The campaign encourages consumers to get together on Sundays to enjoy wine, food, and friends. Share & Pair Sundays will be promoted by the Come Over October team from March 23 (the first Sunday of Spring) through May 25. Ten Sundays in all.
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EXPLORE NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S OLD MISSION PENINSULA WINE TRAIL WITH THE WINTER WINE PASS
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| Experience the Old Mission Peninsula wineries and save with the annual Winter Wine Pass. Explore the rolling hills, bay views, and wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail as they sparkle with a touch of white winter wonder. The $65 Winter Wine Pass (valued at $150+) offers exclusive tastings, discounts and specials at participating Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail wineries.
“The Winter Wine Pass is an amazing way for visitors to explore our wine trail while saving money,” commented Bonnie Hardin, Marketing & Sales Coordinator at Mari Vineyards, a member of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail. “A slower and more intimate time of year, winter offers our guests the chance to explore the trail at their own pace. The Wine Pass is also a unique date opportunity, perfect for Valentine’s Day if you have a wine lover in your life!”
The Winter Wine Pass includes one complimentary wine flight, bar tasting, or glass of wine at all 9 participating Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail wineries (available offers vary by location), as well as additional discounts and specials at each winery. Complimentary wine offerings may be redeemed once per winery anytime prior to the Winter Wine Pass expiration (March 31st, 2025).
Purchase a Wine Pass online and pick up in-person at any of the 9 wineries. Participating wineries include 2 Lads, Black Star Farms on Old Mission Peninsula, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, Hawthorne Vineyards, Peninsula Cellars, and Mari Vineyards.
Please note individual winery hours vary during the winter months. Check operating hours at each winery before hitting the trail. Some wineries also require a reservation, please contact each winery for information on reservation requirements. Gratuity is not included in the price of the Winter Wine Pass or booking fees. If you enjoy your experience at each winery, feel free to show your server your appreciation.
For additional information on the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail visit OMPWineTrail.com. |
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Michigan Craft Beverage Council Summit
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| The Michigan Craft Beverage Council has announced the dates for the 2nd Annual Michigan Craft Beverage Summit. Mark your calendars for MARCH 11-12, 2025.
The goal of this Summit is to convene Michigan craft beverage businesses to create collaborative partnerships and advance an ever-growing craft beverage industry. Michigan wine, beer, cider, and spirit businesses are invited to join the conversation, with topics including:
State of the industry panels.
Conversations with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
A new consumer-facing brand for Michigan craft beverages.
Join your colleagues at this annual event and help shape the future of Michigan’s craft beverage industry!
The Michigan Wine Collaborative will also be hosting our March Board Meeting at this event IN PERSON! We look forward to seeing our membership and the industry there!
Stay tuned for more updates and information!
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| Check out the official Michigan Wine Gear Store and stock up on all kinds of branded swag featuring Taste Michigan, Michigan Wine Collaborative, Cool is Hot, and Vintage Michigan. From hoodies to hats to joggers and more. We regularly update the shop with new designs and items. Check in often! |
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Promote Your Events with Vintage Michigan
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| We want to help promote your vineyard and winery events!! MWC members who are Vintage Michigan participants are welcomed to submit events at any time for promotion in the Vintage Michigan Event Calendar. These events are shared with the over 4000 Vintage Michigan members. Please submit via the form below or contact Emily with event information, links, graphics, and invitations. |
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Michigan Wine in the News
Check out notable mentions in the media featuring Michigan Wine Collaborative members and promoting the Michigan Wine Industry.
Click Here to Read the News!
*Did we miss an important Michigan wine news story? We love featuring our member wineries! E-mail us HERE! |
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MWC 2025 Board Meeting Invitation
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The Michigan Wine Collaborative appreciates support from the following Sponsors and Supplier/Vendor Members:
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| 2024 MWC Sponsors & Donors |
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Are you interested in promotional opportunities for your business? Check out our partnership opportunities HERE!
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