July 2025 Newsletter
Last chance to sign up for the DREAM Tasting Room Network, Attend MI wine events, Sign up to participate on MWC committees, Get ServSafe Certified, Celebrate the new MI Crafted brand, Read July’s Wine Law article, Check out the upcoming If Vines Could Talk line up, Explore the WineAmerica Economic Impact Study, and more! |
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DEADLINE APPROACHING: The DREAM Tasting Room Network
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| For the launch of The DREAM 2.0 the Michigan Wine Collaborative will be partnering with MWC member tasting rooms across the state to sell the wine. This wine benefits the MWC Inclusion & Expansion Educational Fund by committing $1 of the profits from each bottle sold to provide educational awards to BIPOC wine professionals and aspiring wine professionals looking to advance their careers in Michigan wine from the areas of production to hospitality. The network of tasting rooms selling the wines will be included in an interactive map highlighting their support as well as promoting along side marketing efforts connecting to the MWC Inclusion & Expansion Committee and Educational Fund. We also ask our partners to consider matching the $1 profit donation via individual tasting room sales of the wine.
The DREAM 2.0 is a sparkling Riesling produced by St. Julian winery. The wine will be available for procurement via BOND-TO-BOND sales at $118/case. There will be convenient procurement spots where the wine can be picked up, they include St. Julian tasting rooms in the southern portion of the state and Chateau Chantal in Northern Michigan.
Please keep in mind the following per the MLCC:
- Examples of donations deemed acceptable: A manufacturer manufactures a product with the express intent to donate all or a portion of the net profits from that product to an unlicensed non-profit entity.
- Any promotion or advertising of the $1 per bottle should indicate that it is from the profits of the sale of the product.
- The wine is sold as shiners to the participating wineries and they sell it only in their own tasting rooms and do not self-distribute it to retailers or sell it to a different wholesaler to distribute to retailers
If you are interested in supporting the wine in your tasting room please reach out to St. Julian below to participate. Orders must be in by July 31st. We are asking for a minimum of 10 cases and 10 wineries. If you are a smaller producer, we can explore splitting this volume.
We will be following up with marketing tools once orders are confirmed. We are also in the process of crafting a DREAM Tasting Room Map promotional tool which each tasting room will be added to and also will be sent out via press release and included in other media and press outlets.
CONTACT US HERE with any questions! |
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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! |
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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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2025 Michigan Viticulture Field Day and Michigan Enology Experience
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Get ready for two exciting days of hands-on education and innovation designed to shape the future of wine and grape growing in Michigan.
🎉 The 2025 Michigan Viticulture Field Day & Enology Experience
🗓 Tuesday & Wednesday, July 30–31
📍 Lake Michigan College + Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center (SWMREC)
This two-day, power-packed event is your chance to connect with top educators, winemakers, growers, and suppliers while diving deep into hands-on demos, tastings, and applied research—all focused on elevating wine quality and vineyard success here in the Great Lakes region.
🌿 DAY 1 – Viticulture Field Day (July 30 | SWMREC)
Join MSU Extension and industry leaders for a vineyard-focused day featuring:
- Field research demos and best practices
- Canopy management and trunk disease mitigation
- Pest & disease control updates
- Equipment exhibits and vendor networking
Lunch is included—and you’ll walk away with real tools and knowledge you can use immediately.
🍷 DAY 2 – Michigan Enology Experience (July 31 | 9 AM–4 PM | Welch Center @ LMC)
Hosted by Lake Michigan College, this enology deep-dive brings together science, taste, and technique:
- Keynote tasting + talk with Laffort USA on next-gen fermentation tools
- Hands-on Wine Faults Workshop with Aroxa sensory standards
- LMC Winemaking Trials Tasting – including no-sulfite and acidification comparisons
- Blind Tasting Showdown – LMS wines vs. global benchmarks
This is your chance to taste the science, discuss the challenges, and grow your expertise alongside fellow students, alumni, and industry pros.
🚀 Why Attend?
Because you care about your craft. Because you want to be part of the region’s growing wine scene. And because it’s just fun to geek out over grapes and wine with your people.
Space is limited—don’t wait!
We hope to see you there for two unforgettable days of learning, tasting, and connection. |
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ServSafe Food Safety 8-hour Review and Exam
Our 8 hour review and exam consists of a National Restaurant Association approved instructor conducting six hours of instruction and then administering the ServSafe food safety exam. Classes are available in cities throughout Michigan. The ServSafe exam consists of 90 questions. Testers must receive a 70 percent score or better to pass this test and receive their Food Safety Certificate. All tests are graded by the NRA and take approximately 7-10 business days to process. Materials will be mailed upon registration.ServSafe Food Safety Self-Study
There’s no need to sit through the class if you have the knowledge! A National Restaurant Association approved instructor/proctor administers your exam. Proctored exams are available at various locations across the state. The ServSafe exam consists of 90 questions. Testers must receive at least a 75 percent score or better to pass this test and obtain their Food Safety Certificate. All tests are graded by the NRA EF and take approximately 7-10 business days to process. Materials will be mailed upon registration.
Training at Your Location
The MRLA offers onsite classes for groups of ten or more students. To schedule training, contact Heidi Hiner at 800-968-9668. |
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WineAmerica’s 2025 National Economic Impact Study
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| The wine industry is a major economic engine, and a large contributor to the United States economy, with wine producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers in all 50 states. WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries in Washington, DC, commissioned a study of the wine industry’s total impact in 2025, which was shown to be over $323 billion. A similar study in 2022 remains on the website for comparison.The study by John Dunham & Associates also has detailed data for all 50 states in the form of Infographics, Press Releases, and Data Tables.
The wine industry generates close to $8.96 billion in total economic activity in the State of Michigan, dramatically illustrating that wine is the ultimate value-added beverage. The broader economic impact flows throughout the state, generating business for firms seemingly unrelated to the wine industry. Real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as farming, banking, accounting, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, printing, and advertising depend on the wine industry for their livelihoods. |
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Michigan Crafted is HERE!
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| The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) launched “Michigan Crafted,” a new consumer-facing brand that celebrates and elevates the state’s craft beverage industry.
“Michigan’s craft beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the nation,” said Tim Boring, MCBC Chair and MDARD Director. “The Michigan Crafted brand will burnish Michigan’s reputation as a premier craft beverage destination — driving tourism, promoting economic growth and connecting consumers to world-class, locally made beer, wine, mead, cider and spirits.”
Businesses across the state are participating in the Michigan Crafted rollout by displaying branded merchandise and materials in their establishments to build consumer awareness and support the launch. Participating locations will serve as on-the-ground ambassadors, offering visitors visible and tangible connections to Michigan’s craft beverage identity.
“Michigan Crafted promotes the state’s producers and encourages Michiganders and out-of-state visitors to experience the unique flavors and experiences offered by Michigan-made craft beverages,” said Jenelle Jagmin, MCBC Director. “The Michigan Crafted brand is an invitation to discover the stories, people and places behind every pour.”
The MCBC’s Michigan Crafted kickoff arrives just in time for the summer tourism season, when the state’s craft beverage destinations are the most vibrant and visitors are actively searching for authentic experiences. The new brand builds momentum toward November’s Craft Beverage Month celebrations.
Today’s brand launch is part of a campaign that will include advertising, special events and social media to build a solid foundation with Michigan audiences in 2025. Next year, the brand will extend to reach audiences across the United States.
For more information, visit MiCrafted.com.
Downloadable content can be FOUND HERE! |
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June 2025’s Wine Law from Howard & Howard
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| The recent ruling in Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Association v. Peninsula Township, Case No. 1:20-cv-1008 (W.D. Mich. July 7, 2025), represents a watershed moment for Michigan wineries—not just those on Old Mission Peninsula, but across the state. After an eleven-day bench trial and years of contentious litigation, the court awarded significant damages to the plaintiff wineries and declared several township zoning ordinances unconstitutional or preempted by state law.
For members of the Michigan Wine Collaborative, this ruling is more than just a local land use dispute—it’s a case study in how aggressive local regulation can collide with state law and constitutional rights, and what wineries can do to push back. |
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Help Wanted: Assistant Winemaker & Lead Brewer
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| Location: 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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It’s Michigan Wine Summer, and *If Vines Could Talk* is celebrating with a lineup of must-listen episodes! Among the mix:
- July 24, 2025 – Episode 106: Dan Nitz – Countdown to Crush
- July 31, 2025 – Episode 107: Joe Herman – Back in the Vineyard
- August 7, 2025 – Episode 108: Mike Laing – Between Bubbles and Brothers
- August 14, 2025 – Episode 109: Decanting – Stories in Pouring
- August 21, 2025 – Episode 110: Free Run Cellars, Reimagined
- August 28, 2025 – Episode 111: Mike & Craig: From Soil to Glass
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
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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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