April 2026 Newsletter
Last chance to join in the fun at our SE MI wine festivals, Attend Frontier Winemaking MI, Welcome MWC’s newest sponsor, Engage with the Taste Best of MI Wine Pilot, Read the summer issue of Michigan Uncorked, Share your MI Wine Month events, Check in with Keen, and more! |
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Secure Your Spot at Our Upcoming June Events!
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| Join us this June for two signature Taste Michigan events designed to connect Michigan wineries with engaged consumers and key trade audiences across Southeast Michigan.
Taste MI Invades the Eastern Market – June 21, 2026
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 alongside 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 (only 6 spaces left!), wineries are encouraged to register ASAP.
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!
MI Wine Fest @ the MI Firehouse Museum – June 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 (Only 1 spot left!). Wineries interested in participating should reach out to MWC by April 21st!
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. |
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Frontier Winemaking Michigan, an Eagle Eye Experience
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| 2 panel discussions, and full walk-around tasting: we welcome trade buyers and staff to this dynamic, immersive event highlighting MI wine.
Eagle Eye Brands, in partnership with Michigan’s top wineries, is pleased to announce two new events in the Frontier Winemaking Series in Detroit on Monday, April 27th and Grand Rapids on Tuesday April 28th.
Offering two brief panel discussions on the state-of-the-industry, a special Insights presentation, and a comprehensive walk-around tasting, Frontier Winemaking ’26 welcomes trade buyers, staff, and other wine industry professionals from around the state to participate in a dynamic and immersive event highlighting the farming practices, winemaking innovations, people and experiences bringing driving Michigan’s continued growth as an important frontier in cool climate winemaking.
Guest Winemakers:
Sean O’Keefe, Andrew Backlin (Modales), Ryan Tompke (Brengman Family), Dave Bos (Bos Wine)
Special Guests:
Mark Kurlyandchik (Booth One Creative)- keynote speaker; Dave Bos (Bos Wine)- moderator; Caroline Lamb (AHD Vintners)- moderator; Amanda Danielson (Trattoria Stella/Dirt to Glass/Intentional Agriculture)- speaker; Emily Dockery (Michigan Wine Collaborative)- speaker; Evan Hansen (Selden Standard)- panelist; Mick Descamps (Red Wagon Rochester)- panelist; Kristen Warba (Trattoria Stella)- panelist |
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The MWC Family Grows and Welcomes Amorim
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| Amorim Cork America is the North American division of the world’s leading cork manufacturer, delivering natural, sustainable closures backed by cutting-edge technology and Michigan Wine Collaborative’s newest Friend of Michigan Wine Sponsor! From bark to bottle, our vertically integrated process ensures unmatched quality, consistency, and traceability. With innovations like NDtech®, Xpür®, and Bee W® coating, we provide winemakers with reliable performance and precise oxygen management—while supporting a renewable material that gives back more to the environment than it takes.
Contact TODAY for more information: (707) 224-6000 or amorimcst.acam@amorim.com |
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Lock In Your MWC Sponsorship TODAY!!
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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.
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Taste Best of Michigan Wine Pilot Program- Developing a Training Program and Resources for the Trade
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As the Michigan wine industry continues to grow, so does the opportunity to expand how and where it shows up across the state.
The Michigan Wine Collaborative and Taste Michigan is currently developing the Taste Best of Michigan Wine Trade Training Initiative—a new program designed to support distributors, retailers, restaurants, and hospitality teams with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to increase placements, sales, and confidence in Michigan wine.
This pilot initiative will focus on building stronger connections across the supply chain while equipping the trade to better understand, position, and champion wines made from Michigan grown grapes.
As part of this effort, we are launching brief surveys for both trade partners and members of the Michigan wine industry to help shape the program’s direction, content, and delivery.
This initiative is being built with input from across the industry, and we encourage you to participate and share your perspective.
We’ll be sharing more details soon, along with opportunities to get involved as the program takes shape.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved REACH OUT to us any time!
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Northwest Michigan Works! Hosts Registered Apprenticeship Lunch & Learn Race to Talent Celebration
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In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, Northwest Michigan Works is hosting a free Registered Apprenticeship Lunch and Learn Workshop & Race to Talent Celebration Thursday, April 23 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Businesses, workforce partners and apprentices are invited to attend the interactive registered apprenticeship workshop at the
Networks Northwest Conference Center, 1209
S Garfield Road, Traverse City, Michigan.
The session will also include A Race to Talent Champion employer recognition ceremony where key partners will be recognized for their dedication to operating a successful and sustainable registered apprenticeship program. These industry experts will cover the benefits and walk through the practical requirements of overseeing a registered apprenticeship.
The Northwest Michigan Works! Apprenticeship team will be available to provide an apprenticeship overview, discuss requirements, and explore the occupations available for registration.
RSVPs are required, seating is limited. To register for the luncheon please send an email to apprenticeshipteam@networksnorthwest.org and a link to reserve your seat will be provided. |
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Read the Newest Issue of Michigan Uncorked
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Michigan Wine Month Is Almost Here—Let’s Get Your Events Seen!
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| May is Michigan Wine Month and one of the best opportunities of the year to connect with consumers and showcase what’s happening at your winery.
To help amplify your reach, we encourage wineries to submit events to a variety of platforms that help promote Michigan wine experiences across the state and beyond.
Where to Share Your Events
Vintage Michigan Event Calendar
Your first stop for reaching Michigan wine enthusiasts directly. We will also be sharing these events on our Taste MI Michigan Wine Month campaigns and website!
Pure Michigan
Submit events for potential inclusion in statewide tourism promotion and regional visibility.
LocalWineEvents.com
A widely used platform for wine-focused audiences actively searching for tastings and events. Best part? MWC members can showcase their tastings, vineyard tours, winemaker dinners, and festivals for free to more than 250,000+ wine lovers through LocalWineEvents.com!
Additionally, members receive:
- 12 free event listings per year on LocalWineEvents.com
- 20% off advertising & promotional placements
- And their events will be seen by our engaged audience:
- 250,000+ subscribers to The Juice® newsletter
- 200,000+ social followers across platforms
Local & Regional Tourism Bureaus
Be sure to share your events with your local CVB or tourism organization—they’re actively promoting seasonal experiences.
Why It Matters
The more places your events appear, the more opportunities there are for consumers to discover Michigan wine experiences—especially during a month dedicated to celebrating the industry.
We will be sending out more resources and tools to the MWC membership soon. Keep an eye on your inbox! |
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Help Your Winery Save Energy and Reinvest in What Matters Most with Keen!
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| Northern Michigan wineries face rising energy costs, seasonal demand, and growing sustainability expectations. Keen helps turn those challenges into opportunities.
As a consulting leader in sustainable energy solutions, Keen partners with wineries to deliver turnkey energy‑efficiency programs that reduce operating costs, support sustainability goals, and generate guaranteed positive cash flow, without upfront disruption.
From production facilities to tasting rooms, we design solutions that keep your winery running efficiently so you can focus on your vines, your craft, and your guests.
Contact Keen to explore a no‑obligation energy assessment for your winery. Reach out at Operations@keen-minds.com. |
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Brengman Family Wines receives ‘A’ Ratings in national competition
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| The prestigious, invitation-only American Fine Wine Competition awarded 10 Brengman wines high honors in the 2026 judging. Three won Double Gold, five won Gold and two won Silver.
“Receiving highest ratings is validation of our innovative ‘Wild Yeast’ program,” according to BFW winemaker Robert Brengman.
“We strive to create wines that are of this place,” the Leelanau County wine pioneer said. “Being recognized by prominent international industry leaders for wines crafted with our wild-harvested yeast proves beyond doubt we have achieved our ‘Total Terroir’ goal.
“Just having ten of our wines invited to compete is a rare honor. Eight of them achieving ‘A’ rating scores, and two missing by only one point, truly validates our shift from contemporary conventional winemaking to totally natural winemaking practices. We strive to use the best of modern technology combined with proven ancient techniques.”
The scores, based on an industry 100-point system, require 90 points or higher to win “A”.
2026 scores are:
Double Gold
· 2023 Merlot – 94 pts
· 2023 Chardonnay Barrel – 94 pts
· 2024 Gewurztraminer – 94 pts
Gold
· 2023 Cabernet Franc – 90 pts
· 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – 90 pts
· 2023 RR Riesling – 91 pts
· 2024 Block 65 – 90 pts
· 2024 Riesling Spatlese – 90 pts
Silver
· 2024 Chardonnay Concrete – 89 pts
· 2024 Chenin Blanc – 89 pts |
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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 FILL OUT THIS FORM 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 2026 Board Meeting Invitation
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| Michigan Wine Collaborative is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: MWC Board Meeting
Time: May 5, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Tuesday
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZAtf-6vrzotHNxf6WWTXMvEfRfCOtdyPy1c/ics?icsToken=DEOStCvBoMOFEEeMywAALAAAAM91pDrdN8by5N-z7q7VXO3Xm6MgOlJAwVBDllVYH8sIRI-w0SrbLKk_fP_E6TSq6LzHicKwK4M3RZcN1TAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=2DE_bbJvRz-J2hWTQI-UDQ
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84087711768
Meeting ID: 840 8771 1768 |
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The Michigan Wine Collaborative appreciates support from the following Sponsors and Supplier/Vendor Members:
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| 2026 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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