March 2026 Newsletter

Explore MWC’s 2026 sponsorship packages, Don’t miss your last chance to enter the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition, Learn about and register for upcoming SE MI events, Mark your calendar for MI wine industry events, Take the MWC membership survey, and more!

2026 MWC Sponsorships Now Available!

The Michigan Wine Collaborative is now welcoming sponsors and strategic partners for our 2026 programs and events. This is an opportunity to align your brand with the growth, innovation, and community behind Michigan’s thriving wine industry.

Through signature initiatives like the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup, Taste Michigan Invasions, industry education programs, and statewide promotional campaigns, our partners gain meaningful visibility among wineries, growers, tourism leaders, and passionate consumers across Michigan and beyond.

Our sponsorship platform is designed to be flexible and collaborative, allowing partners to support the programs and initiatives in addition to crafting promotional programming that best align with their goals while helping advance the mission of Michigan wine’s only statewide wine non-profit.

By partnering with the Michigan Wine Collaborative, your organization will be supporting industry promotion, sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and the continued elevation of Michigan wine.

📩 Interested in partnering with us in 2026?
Explore sponsorship opportunities HERE or Contact Us to start the conversation.

Explore Sponsorship Packages Here!

Lock In Your Sponsorship Here!

Last Chance to Enter the 2026 Taste MI Governor’s Cup!

The clock is ticking on entries for the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup.

Each year, this competition highlights the craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication that define Michigan’s beverage producers. From established wineries to emerging producers, the Governor’s Cup is an opportunity to showcase your work and gain recognition among peers and industry leaders.

If you’ve been meaning to submit your entries, this is your last chance. We have extended the entry deadline for the final time. Friday March 20th is you final chance to compete!

ENTER HERE!
*MWC members receive an exclusive discount on entries. Contact Us or Join Today for access to that code!

Why Enter?

Recognition That Moves the Needle
Medal winners and Governor’s Cup recipients gain third-party validation that resonates with consumers, buyers, distributors, and media.

Statewide Promotion
Winning wines are highlighted across Michigan Wine Collaborative channels, featured in communications and media outreach, and recognized at key industry and consumer events.

Powerful Marketing Content
A Governor’s Cup medal strengthens:
• Shelf talkers & neckers
• Distributor sell sheets
• Tasting room storytelling
• Email and social media campaigns
• Website award highlights

Industry Credibility
Blind judging by experienced wine professionals ensures integrity and prestige. A win signals quality and positions your winery among Michigan’s top producers.

Michigan wine continues to rise on the national stage — and competitions like the Governor’s Cup help tell that story. Your participation strengthens not only your own brand, but the reputation of our entire industry.

We encourage wineries of all sizes and regions to enter and showcase the depth, diversity, and excellence of Michigan wine.

Click Here to Enter the Taste MI Governor’s Cup!

Michigan Wine Collaborative Teams Up with the MI Firehouse Museum

The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) and Taste Michigan, in partnership with the Michigan Firehouse Museum, is proud to announce the Michigan Wine Festival, taking place June 27, 2026, at the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti. The festival will celebrate the diversity and quality of wines produced from Michigan-grown grapes while bringing together two iconic non-profit organizations to provide a platform for local wineries to connect with the community for an afternoon dedicated to Michigan wine.

In addition to the festival itself, the event will anchor a broader series of experiences throughout the region, “Taste Michigan Invades Ypsi & Ann Arbor.” During the days surrounding the festival, participating restaurants, wine bars, and retailers will host Michigan wine-focused events highlighting wineries from across the state.

This Michigan Wine Festival will feature wineries from multiple Michigan wine regions, offering guests the opportunity to explore a wide range of styles—from cool-climate whites and rosés to structured reds and sparkling wines. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to meet winemakers, learn more about Michigan’s growing wine industry, and taste wines that reflect the unique terroir of the state’s vineyards.

“This collaboration with the Michigan Firehouse Museum allows us to bring Michigan wine directly into the community while celebrating the incredible work of wineries across the state as well as the outstanding work community non-profits are doing independently and together,” said Emily Dockery, Executive Director of the Michigan Wine Collaborative. “Events like this not only create memorable experiences for consumers but also strengthen connections between wineries, restaurants, retailers, and wine lovers.”

Tickets for the Michigan Wine Festival are now available and can be purchased at:
https://a2tix.com/events/michigan-wine-festival-6-27-2026

Call for Winery Participation
MWC member wineries are invited to participate in the festival and showcase their wines to a new audience in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti market. Participating wineries will have the opportunity to pour wines at the Michigan Wine Festival while also connecting with local hospitality partners during the Taste Michigan Invades events. Space is very limited. Wineries interested in participating should reach out to MWC by March 31st at info@michiganwinecollaborative.com.

Opportunities for Restaurants and Retailers
Restaurants, wine bars, and retail wine shops in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area are encouraged to take part in Taste Michigan Invades Ypsi & Ann Arbor by hosting Michigan wine-focused experiences leading up to and following the festival. Participating venues can collaborate with Michigan wineries to create special programming such as:

Michigan wine dinners or tasting menus
By-the-glass winery takeovers
Retail tasting events and bottle features
Meet-the-winemaker experiences
Michigan wine flight promotions

Participating venues will be promoted through Michigan Wine Collaborative communications and event marketing. To arrange a partnership connect with MWC by April 30th at info@michiganwinecollaborative.com.

Click Here to Read the Full Press Release and Learn More!

Save the Date! Taste MI Invades the Eastern Market

Taste Michigan is returning to one of Detroit’s most iconic destinations, the Eastern Market.

On Father’s Day weekend, the Michigan Wine Collaborative and Taste Michigan will once again bring Taste Michigan Invades Eastern Market to the heart of Detroit along side partners Cool Ass Detroit Stuff and Canfield Consortium—pairing Michigan wine with one of the America’s oldest and most vibrant public markets and drawing thousands of engaged visitors for an afternoon of tasting, discovery, and connection.

This high-energy event offers Michigan wineries the opportunity to showcase their wines to a large and diverse audience, connect directly with consumers and the trade, and be part of a celebration highlighting the strength and diversity of Michigan’s wine industry.

🍷 MWC member wineries are invited to participate.

Participation space will be limited, wineries are encouraged to register ASAP. Keep an eye out for an official press release soon! CONTACT US with any questions.

We look forward to bringing Michigan wine back to Eastern Market and celebrating Father’s Day weekend with the Motor City!

2026 MWC Member Survey

The Michigan Wine Collaborative exists to serve our members in addition to promoting, marketing, and supporting the wider Michigan wine industry. As we plan for 2026, we want to better understand what matters to the heart of our organization, our membership. Learning how we can build committees and leadership structures that are meaningful, effective, and sustainable are essential to a successful 2026.

Our current committees include:

Marketing/Communications

Grants/Funding

Inclusion & Expansion

Research & Education

Membership

Ad-Hoc Committees include:

Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup

Specialty Crop Block Grant: Taste Best of Michigan

This survey should take approximately 8–10 minutes. Your responses will directly inform MWC’s strategic priorities, committee structure, and leadership approach moving forward.

We appreciate your support and participation and are excited to work with you in 2026 to make Michigan wine bigger, better, faster, stronger, and tastier!

Take the Survey!

THIS JUST IN! 2026 MWC Exclusive Member Benefits!

The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) exists to strengthen, support, and connect our state’s wine industry—and one of the most tangible ways we do that is by delivering exclusive savings, exposure, and strategic partnerships to our members.

We appreciate our membership and the support and dedication they contribute to the Michigan wine industry and our organization and are always working on ways to deliver more value and show our thanks. As a way of doing that, we have arranged a gathering of exclusive discounts and offerings from fellow MWC members.

Above are a selection of the newest discounts and offers exclusive to MWC members. Promo codes and instructions to take advantage of these offers have gone out to current members via Wild Apricot. If you have not received this document please REACH OUT TO US!

Not a member yet? NOW is the time to join in order to get the absolute most out of your MWC membership. JOIN HERE!

Michigan Wine Industry Events

Wine & Viticulture Internship & Seasonal Hiring Fair at Lake Michigan College

Lake Michigan College is hosting a Wine Industry Internship & Hiring Fair on Wednesday, April 8 from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Welch Center (2774 E. Empire Ave., Benton Harbor, MI).

This event brings together Southwest Michigan wineries, vineyards, tasting rooms, and wine-focused businesses with students and community job seekers interested in seasonal, hospitality, vineyard, and winemaking opportunities.

This is a great chance for local wine businesses to connect with motivated candidates ahead of the busy tasting room and harvest seasons, and for attendees to explore paid internships and seasonal positions in the wine industry.

Attendance is free, and no prior registration is required for attendees.

Businesses interested in table space for the event can register through Handshake at lakemichigancollege.joinhandshake.com. For questions about reserving space through Handshake, contact KATHI SZABO, Career Development Specialist kszabo@lakemichigancollege.edu For questions about internship requirements and the viticulture program, contact TIM GODFREY, Wine & Viticulture Director tgodfrey@lakemichigancollege.edu.

Eastern Winery Exposition

Registration for the 2026 Eastern Winery Exposition is now open!

Our organization is once again a Supporting Sponsor of EWE and as one of our member benefits, you receive a registration discount of 10%. Simply the use code sent out via Wild Apricot. CONTACT US if you need a replacement code.

Now in its 14th year, EWE moves to Richmond as the largest winery and vineyard trade show held east of the Pacific states. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with more than 200 exhibiting companies; attend workshop ad conference sessions covering all aspects of the winery and vineyard business; network with 1,000+ other industry professionals; and attend the numerous social and networking events.

New in 2026: the Virginia Wineries Association Annual Conference is partnering with EWE and will be presented in a session room within the EWE Conference. That means all conference attendees can attend these sessions without needing to register for a separate pass. Additionally, the 2026 Governor’s Cup Case will be revealed and tasted for the very first time.

Visit EasternWineryExposition.com for the details.

Shop Michigan Wine Gear!

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!

Click Here to Shop!

Promote Your Events with Vintage Michigan

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 FILL OUT THIS FORM or contact Emily with event information, links, graphics, and invitations.

Share Your Events for the Vintage Michigan Calendar Here!