August 2025 Newsletter
Help us make 2025 MWC member renewals a success, welcome MWC’s newest sponsor and consider becoming a sponsor, participate in Mott’s Distinguished Chef Dinner and a Breast Cancer Wine Tasting event, Get familiar with Keen’s Awesomeland, Attend Michigan wine industry events, Check out and submit to our online classifieds, Listen in to the If Vines Could Talk podcast, Enroll in or update your Vintage Michigan listing, and more! |
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MWC Member Renewals Are Coming Next Month!
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MWC member renewals are coming up this September 15th. In preparation for that we are asking current members to participate in our 2025 Member Survey. This survey requests testimonials for promotional content for our upcoming Membership Drive, input for 2026 priorities and initiatives, and confirming current member status. If you are a current member who has not yet completed the survey you can do so at the link below…
https://forms.gle/4AFEb9RddHDFYjjK8
The deadline for the survey has been extended to August 15th. If we do not hear from members by then we will begin reaching out directly.
We are also asking our membership to aid us in recruiting new members during the Membership Drive. Now is the ideal time to join MWC as our membership cycle occurs annual from the start/renewal date of September 15th. Anyone who joins early will get a few weeks complimentary and their renewal date will be set to September 15, 2026. Please help us in growing our community and strengthening the organization by inviting friend, neighbors, colleagues, vendors, and more to join or sponsor the Michigan Wine Collaborative TODAY! New recruits can join at:
mwc.wildapricot.org/join-us |
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MWC Welcomes Our Newest Silver Sponsor, Purdue Winemaking!
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| Purdue University is proud to support Michigan’s thriving wine industry as a silver sponsor of the Michigan Wine Collaborative. With a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, Purdue brings valuable educational resources to Michigan’s winemakers through its online Winemaking Certificate, which highlights commercial winemaking principles and practices.
Designed for working wine professionals, this advanced enology course delivers real-world, scientifically grounded instruction from grape to glass. You’ll learn how to create stable, market-ready wines, improve production processes and build a competitive edge. Plus, students gain direct access to one of the nation’s top wine experts, Dr. Christian Butzke, a seasoned winemaker and enology professor with deep industry experience. Dr. Butzke continues to mentor and support students even after the course is complete.
Purdue’s flexible, 100% online format makes the program an affordable, accessible alternative for those ready to upskill in the wine industry — whether personal career enhancement, business planning or team training. Wherever you currently work in the Michigan wine industry, Purdue offers your smart next step.
Cheers to Purdue for supporting the Michigan Wine Collaborative! Stay tuned as we will be coordinating membership programming to introduce more from Purdue this fall and winter! |
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| Secure the opportunity to support the Michigan wine’s only statewide non-profit while promoting your business or organization, expanding your client base, and more! Browse our 2025 Sponsorship Packages below.
Ready to lock in your sponsorship? CLICK HERE! |
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MWC Teams Up with Mott Community College for Their Distinguished Chef Dinner and a Breast Cancer Wine Tasting Event
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MWC is teaming up with the Mott Community College Culinary Arts Institute (MCC) for its Grape Pink Out Escape Wine Tasting fundraiser, to benefit the American Cancer Society on October 3rd, and their Distinguished Chef Series on October 24th, featuring award-winning Chef Jimmy Lee Hill. The Grape Pink Out Escape Wine Tasting will be a wine tasting featuring small bites with all proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society while the Distinguished Chef Series dinner will feature a four-course meal prepared by Chef Jimmy Lee Hill.
Attendance is expected to be between 70-100 guests per event. This will be a great opportunity to represent your winery as you raise brand awareness among the Southeast portion of the state.
MWC has teamed up with MCC to work together to source MWC winery members as partners and select wines to feature at these events. As we work together to coordinate our efforts we are also facilitating logistics and benefits for wineries participating. In addition to general marketing benefits for featuring your wine at the event we are exploring on site bottle sales and working with the MCC Culinary Arts Institute to secure placements on their wine list. Those who would be interested in providing wines for these two events or those with questions should reach out to Emily HERE!
MWC members will be receiving follow up information to learn more about this event and how to participate in this partnership. We are looking forward to working with MCC on this impactful and exciting event. Keep an eye on your inboxes for more information.
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Introducing Keen’s “Awesomeland”!
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Traverse City Welcomes “Awesomeland”: KEEN Energy and TC Millworks Unveil State-of-the-Art Electrified Headquarters!
A new chapter has begun, unveiling the new fully electrified headquarters at 2351 North Aero Park Court. Dubbed “Awesomeland,” the innovative facility is now home to KEEN Energy and TC Millworks, marking a significant step for both businesses in deepening their roots within the local community. While KEEN Energy and TC Millworks may appear different on paper, their shared dedication to top- quality services, community interest, and love for this big blue world, brought them together in this new venture.
For TC Millworks, this new building signifies a continuation of its legacy operations in Traverse City. Meanwhile, the KEEN family is excited to finally have a solid place to call home, further enabling
them to support the local community. Both companies expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted them in bringing this vision to fruition and look forward to expanding and supporting their “Awesomeland”.
MWC is honored to have Keen as a member and wishes them the best of luck with this new and AWESOME venture! |
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Laurentide Teams Up with University of Michigan
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| Shout out and Congratulations to Laurentide Winery who just announced their partnership with University of Michigan. Laurentide wines will be featured all University of Michigan athletic contests, including The Big House, Yost Arena, and Crisler Center. ‘aMaizing red’ and ‘aMaizing white’ wines, along with five others, will be available during home football games. A portion of the profits will go to the newly established William K. and Susan M. Braymer Engineering Scholarship to support undergraduate student-athletes at the College of Engineering. Headed to cheer on the Wolverines this year? Make sure to indulge in a glass of Laurentide!
LEARN MORE HERE! |
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| Dirt to Glass™ 2025 takes place Thursday and Friday, August 21 and 22 in Traverse City, Michigan at the Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park. This annual conference connects growers and producers from around the state and beyond, providing the most advanced practical information to support the Michigan grape and wine industry in understanding the critical relationship between better farming and world class wine. Each year, working with Michigan State University AgBioResearch and Extension, Dirt to Glass™ identifies relevant topics in that cycle and invites highly recognized scientists and speakers from around the world to present to the Michigan grape and wine industry.Designed to empower growers, winemakers, and industry professionals, Dirt to Glass is not just a conference—it’s a catalyst for transformation. With its unique focus on the entire agricultural value chain, from soil health to final product, the event offers vital insights for achieving quality, profitability, and global competitiveness.
Follow the button below to learn more about the agenda, details of the conference, and to register! DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS AUGUST 15TH!! |
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2025 Dirt to Glass: Taste the MSU Difference Walk-Around Tasting
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2025 Dirt to Glass Walk-Around Wine Tasting – Tickets Now Available to the Public!
August 21, 2025 at Kirkbride Hall in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
A curated, walk-around exploration of 80–100 wines, highlighted by an expanded pour of wines originally selected for the recent James Beard Foundation dinner – a historic, all-Michigan lineup curated by a statewide panel of sommeliers and industry professionals.
VIP Experience: Access begins at 5 p.m., tickets are $100
Elevate your experience with VIP early entry and exclusive access to rare Michigan wines, including library selections and limited bottlings not available during general admission hours.
General Admission: Opens at 6 p.m., tickets are $75
Space is limited! |
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Straits Area Grape Growers SAGGA “Harvest Time” Meeting: August 19th 5:00PM
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Agenda to include:
Our webmaster, Dan Walker from D. Walker Studio in Traverse City will be at the meeting and review the SAGGA website design and the ability for our members and non-members to interact with the website in unique ways that can benefit their viticulture business. An example is that members can post their buy/sell/U-Pick wine grape needs and Dan will show you how to do that on your own. Dan will also review the SAGGA Facebook page as another way we use to communicate with grape growers in Northern Michigan and beyond.
Guest Presentations Include:
- D. Walker Studio – Website usage and review
- Vine sources for 2026 planting
- Table grape potential
- Harvest forecast
- Vineyard tools & equipment
- Grape pricing strategy
- U-Pick for grapes
- MDARD Wine Grape Grower Advisory Committee Update
Who should attend:
All SAGGA members, their teammates, and other interested parties
Please consider joining us
Location:
Walloon Lake Winery
3149 Intertown Road near Petoskey, MI |
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MDARD Free Regenerative Agriculture Workshops
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| This summer, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is sponsoring a free, in-depth workshop series alongside farmer-run Understanding Ag, LLC. The series is designed to help farmers adopt soil-health practices that improve resilience, increase profitability, and support long-term sustainability. It emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and real-world experience, recognizing that farmer-to-farmer information sharing is a key driver in the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.
Founded and operated by farmers, Understanding Ag works directly with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to educate and support the implementation of regenerative practices that restore soil health, boost profitability, and ensure farm sustainability for future generations. Understanding Ag is a pioneer of the regenerative agriculture industry and now has an international presence as a leader in the field.
Understanding Ag Consumer Workshops:
From the Ground Up: How Healthy Soil Grows Healthy Food, People and Communities
Join an inspiring workshop exploring the vital connections between soil health, food quality, human well-being, and community resilience.
Afternoon: Tour Detroit-area farms with soil health experts.
Evening: Enjoy a delicious, regeneratively grown meal
August 26, 2025
1:30 PM – 8:00 PM Community Center at A.B. Ford 100 Lenox Street, Detroit, MI 48215
Register Here
Regenerative Agriculture Consumer Workshop at Drumhiller Farms
Explore the nutritional benefits of raising regenerative grass-fed beef, pigs, and chickens on diverse perennial pastures.
August 27, 2025 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
Drumhiller Farms
8755 Clough Rd., Parma, MI 49269
Register Here
Details:
- Free admission and lunch/dinner provided.
- Space is limited to 50 participants per location – registration is required and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Includes both classroom and hands-on, in-field training. Please dress for outdoor conditions.
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| MWC hosts a Classifieds section on our website where members can promote open positions, available fruit and wine, and equipment for sale. We also welcome ‘SEEKING’ posts where members can request leads on items or positions they may be seeking. Below are some of our most recent submissions.
Have something for our Classifieds section? Reach out to Emily HERE! |
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| WINEMAKER/ASSISTANT WINEMAKER POSITIONS (View full listings on our CLASSIFIEDS PAGE!)
WINERY: Social Vines Dexter, MI
Full job description
Are you a passionate winemaker with a penchant for crafting exceptional wines? Do you dream of creating distinctive, high-quality vintages that leave a lasting impression? Look no further – an exciting opportunity awaits you at our boutique vineyard in the heart of scenic south-east Michigan!
Position: Skilled Winemaker or Winemaker assistant (Part time)
Experience: 3-5 years preferred in the industry; experience-appropriate candidates welcomed
Key Responsibilities
Oversee all aspects of grape processing, fermentation, racking, and bottling
Monitor fermentations and wine quality (lab and sensory)
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized cellar
Collaborate on wine style, blending, and long-term production planning
Participate in harvest planning and equipment setup
Keep accurate winemaking records and inventory
Assist with vineyard activities as needed
Optional: Front-of-house support, including education and pouring during special tastings or events
To Apply
Please send your resume, a brief cover letter or intro email, and any relevant references items to:
Lori@herrron.us
734.395.6909
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WINERY: Harmony Estate Vineyards of Leelanau, Cedar, MI (Bel Lago, French Valley, Dune Bird)
Are you passionate about crafting exceptional wines and brews? We are seeking a dedicated Assistant Winemaker and Lead Brewer to join our team.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in wine production, fermentation, and aging processes
- Oversee brewing operations, including recipe development and quality control
- Maintain cleanliness and organization in the cellar and brewing areas
- Collaborate with the team to ensure consistency and excellence in all products
- Monitor inventory and assist with sourcing ingredients
Qualifications:
- Experience in winemaking and/or brewing (preferred but not required)
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to lift heavy items, operate equipment and work in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for the craft and eagerness to learn
Perks:
- Competitive salary, 401 K, PTO
- Opportunity to work with a talented and passionate team
- Hands-on experience in both winemaking and brewing
If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today by sending your resume to john@harmony-estate.com. |
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If Vines Could Talk Upcoming Line Up
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Michigan Wine Summer continues with*If Vines Could Talk* and they’re celebrating with a lineup of must-listen episodes! Among the mix:
| Thursday, August 7, 2025 |
Free Run Cellars – A New Chapter |
| Thursday, August 14, 2025 |
Mike Laing – Between Bubbles and Brothers |
| Thursday, August 21, 2025 |
Decanting – Stories in Pouring |
| Thursday, August 28, 2025 |
Mike & Craig: From Soil to Glass |
| Thursday, Sept 4, 2025 |
Bryan Ulbrich – Growers First, Always |
| Thursday, Sept 11, 2025 |
Taylor Simpson – New Stewardship at MBTB |
| Thursday, Sept 18, 2025 |
Paula Camp – Jacques Pépin Legacy |
| Thursday, Sept 25, 2025 |
Sean O’Keefe – Mari Expressions |
Tune in to *If Vines Could Talk*, available on all popular podcast platforms, as we toast to Michigan Wine Month! |
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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 AND Update Your Listings in the Winter 2025/26 Brochure
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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.
It’s also time to update our participant brochure for Winter 2025/26. If you would like to enroll your winery, restaurant, store, or other hospitality establishment you can do so HERE! Please have all your information submitted by September 1st! |
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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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| Michigan Wine Collaborative is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: MWC 2025 Board Meetings
Time: Every other month on the First Tuesday at 10am
September 2, 2025
November 4, 2025
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMlcuqgrDIoG9buk7aOHG7TugwUQTKBHnEt/ics?icsToken=DJGwxerBwUINnfzB2AAALAAAAHEN5_rpHgdHLhsmh9OntEw60VS1vF7XGPaRL0ibJsCIEqwffsmRzFFwvAqE-5LTA-nbQo8W9oAJGYux8zAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=870GINAlT_eHlsiBu5r-6g
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87853829212 |
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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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