MWC Educational Series Launches with Industry Insights from Purdue & St. Julian

The Michigan Wine Collaborative kicked off its new Educational Series on February 12, 2026, with an inspiring conversation between Christian Butzke, Wine Professor at Purdue University with 33 years of industry experience, and Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking at St. Julian Wine Company and Purdue alumna.

What We Discussed

The conversation flowed naturally through the realities of building a career in wine, from Christian’s early experiences in wine-drinking culture in Europe to Nancie’s pivot from food science to winemaking after a summer job at the Indy International Wine Competition.

Key themes included:

The Power of Collaboration: Both speakers emphasized the wine industry’s unique openness to sharing knowledge, techniques, and resources across state lines and international borders
Innovation in Action: St. Julian’s approach to product development – releasing 12-18 new wines quarterly for their 20,000+ wine club members – demonstrates how creativity and customer feedback drive success
Adapting to Change: From polar vortex impacts on grape varieties to the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs affecting consumption patterns, the industry must remain nimble and creative
Business Meets Passion: The importance of formal education (both speakers highlighted Purdue’s Winemaking Certificate and MBA programs) combined with practical experience and storytelling ability
Support Systems: Resources available within Michigan’s wine community including bulk wine production, lab services, co-packing, equipment sharing, and industry partnerships
AND MORE!!

Practical Wisdom for Winemakers

“You can’t always make the wine that you want to drink every single day… For your business to survive, you have to make wines that your customers are going to enjoy.” — Nancie Oxley

This honest perspective on balancing winemaker vision with market reality resonated throughout the session, along with encouragement to experiment with small batches, learn from successful wines in the marketplace, and stay connected to both local and global wine communities.

Both speakers emphasized their commitment to supporting our industry beyond this session – don’t hesitate to reach out to them with questions or for guidance.

Watch the Recording Here!

**Passcode: nq1*o?iV**

The Michigan Wine Collaborative is here to be your connector, ambassador, and resource hub. We’re excited to continue this Educational Series and bring you more opportunities to learn and grow together.

We hope you find this conversation as valuable as we did. Stay tuned for our next Educational Series installment!

Interested in learning more?

We invite you to explore Purdue University’s online Winemaking Certificate. The program is designed for working professionals and passionate learners alike, offering flexible, online coursework taught by industry-recognized faculty. Whether you’re looking to break into the industry, deepen your technical knowledge or strengthen the business side of your craft, Purdue’s program provides a strong foundation grounded in science and real-world application.

🍇 Explore Purdue’s online Winemaking Certificate:

https://www.purdue.edu/online/program/winemaking-certificate/

Join or sponsor the Michigan Wine Collaborative — a statewide network dedicated to elevating, educating, and advocating for Michigan wine. From marketing initiatives to professional development and industry resources and support, membership connects you to the people and programs moving our industry forward.

👉 Join or sponsor today at https://mwc.wildapricot.org/join-us