March 2021 Newsletter

Participate in this year’s #OpenLocalWine event, learn about Holiday retail opportunities with MWC member Meijer, mark your calendars for the 2021 Grape Kickoff, get involved with the MI Grape Society board, welcome Chris Southern of Detroit Vineyards to the MWC board, read a message from the President, and more!

Get in on #OpenLocalWine NOW!

Join in the #OpenLocalWine fun this April! This event last year raised almost $40,000 that went directly into participating wineries’ tills (and that was only 30% of the participants reporting their sales from the event).

Here is some coverage from last year:
www.detroitnews.com/story/life/food/2020/03/25/state-wineries-promote-online-sales-wine-home-night/2904521001/
www.pennlive.com/food/2020/05/recognition-of-local-wines–wineries-building-momentum-toward-fridays-national-toast.html
ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/its-time-openlocalwine-virtual-event

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

SAVE THE DATE: March 23, 2021 MSUE Grape Kickoff

Registration available soon. Watch the grapes.msu.edu website for updates.

MI Grape Society Board of Directors Opportunities

The Michigan Grape Society (MGS) is seeking to fill two open seats on their 9-member Board of Directors. Regular participation in monthly Board meetings is required, and active participation in other MGS activities is highly encouraged. The MGS, in coordination with MSU Extension, hosts the annual Southwest Michigan Horticulture Days, the annual Viticulture Day, and several grower-driven Twilight Social events held throughout S.W. Michigan during the growing season. They recently created an in perpetuity scholarship fund for students studying viticulture. The MGS also funds research and is currently an active participant on a research project in concert with MSU.

The MGS is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose objective is to promote the welfare of all Michigan grape industries and related services. MGS encourages and supports research on grape quality, production, and marketing potentials; accumulating and disseminating information which would promote the grape industry; promoting production, quality and sales of Michigan grapes and grape products; and representing Michigan grape industry interests in matters of local, state and national concerns.

Membership in the MGS is free and open to any Michigan grape grower, processor or anyone in an industry related organization. Those interested in helping in any way, but not taking on the responsibility of a Director, are always welcome and are often given the title of Associate Board Member. Involvement at any level within the MGS affords a great way to participate within the grape industry and put one’s skill to use for a great cause. Those interested should contact Todd Robbins by calling (269) 330-2350 or by email at [email protected]

Welcome to the board, Chris Southern of Detroit Vineyards!

A native of the suburbs of Detroit, Chris Southern has spent 11 years in
Management at Trader Joe’s Company before attending a
baccalaureate winemaking program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in
California. While in college, he was Assistant Winemaker for a small
estate winery in Paso Robles. Post grad, he worked stints in Walla
Walla Washington, New Zealand and Northern Michigan before
returning to California. He has since managed filtration companies,

sold barrels, managed winery operations and made wine for
heralded brands in Edna Valley, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara County,
Paso Robles and now Detroit for Detroit Vineyards.

Chris is committed to spending some energy flushing out how we
can really market and elevate Michigan wine in a way that competes
with other regions and defining the differences of our AVAs. He is excited to become more involved with our organization, committees, and projects.

Food and Agriculture Employer Hiring Needs Form

We are pleased to announce the Food and Agriculture Employer Hiring Needs Form developed by the Workforce Solutions Team and led by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This team was formed to address the workforce talent problems and recommend solutions for employers in the food and agriculture industry. At this time, we are in need of collecting information on current hiring practices from food and agriculture employers around the state in order to help drive solutions. Please consider filling out the form at the link below to help us collect the data needed to continue to drive solutions for the industry.

Click Here to Complete the Food and Agriculture Employer Hiring Needs Form

Soil Regen Summit 2021

Join some of the world’s most knowledgeable experts in Regenerative Agriculture in this free, virtual, 4-day event. If you’re a farmer or someone with a passion for the planet, then this event is for you! We’ll be covering a diversity of subjects like holistic grazing, agroforestry, soil biology, market gardening, mycology, carbon sequestration, human health, ecology and so much more!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The last month saw several of the MWC committees actively pursuing their goals for 2021. That includes Inclusion and Expansion and Marketing. We also had a breakthrough with the wine competition formerly known as the Michigan Wine Competition. There will be a competition after all! It will be held at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center August 3rd. The competition will have a new format and many new judges. Details will follow in coming newsletters. It is a major victory to have found a venue with a group of people who are excited to host the competition and do so at a price that the MWC can afford. Thanks to everyone involved! We are looking forward to it!
The last month has been cold, with lots of snow and days to not travel unless we have too. The February thaw reminds us that spring is just around the corner with warmer days and, hopefully, more vaccinations and COVID relief. Now is not the time to let our guard down. We must stay the course and do what we’ve been doing to get past COVID. But the outlook is certainly brighter than it was at this time last year: #staysafestayopen!
We look forward to the exciting work of our committees. Please consider volunteering some time to work on a committee. It is very rewarding to work with so many smart, energetic folks who all share a passion for Michigan Wine!
Happy Spring!