October 2020 Newsletter

See what the Women in the MI wine industry are working on, participate in our Fall survey, read a message from our president, an introduction to MSU Extension specialist Esmaeil Azar, and more!

MI Women in Wine

The Women of the Michigan wine industry are mobilizing! Recently they came together to find a solution to provide support to St. Julian winemaker, Nancie Oxley, in her and her family’s time of need, but also to form a group to support ALL women working and studying in the Michigan wine industry in general.

“We need all women who run the wine world to join us so we can learn about what is impacting their day to day and decide what needs to be focused on first and how we can improve the industry for all women,” states MWC Executive Director, Emily Dockery “I hope this group will work as a way to get women more visibility in their careers and projects and help expand the industry to more women who may not have considered a career in wine.”

Currently the group is stationed on Facebook and any and all Women currently active in the Michigan wine industry are encouraged to join and get engaged.

The Oxley Superhero Fund

As much of our Michigan wine family is aware, the Oxley and St. Julian families experienced a great loss and great trauma recently. The Michigan Wine Collaborative hearts go out to Nancie, Keith, and Emilie Oxley. Please take a moment to see the momentous support which has come from the community to support the family and honor the legacy of Robbie Oxley. Please consider donating to the fund and/or sharing in your circles.

www.gofundme.com/f/oxley-superhero-fund

Click Here to Join the MI Women in Wine Group!

ACTION NEEDED!

In order to stay on top of what the MWC membership expects from the Collaborative we are asking our members to participate in our Fall survey. This survey will focus on winery marketing activities, plans, and how MWC can help. Please complete the survey ASAP. Deadline for feedback is October 31st.
Thank you and Happy Halloween!

Click Here to Take the Survey!

Welcome to NW MI Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar!

“I am very pleased to introduce Mr. Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar as the new NW Michigan small fruit/ viticulture specialist here in the Grand Traverse region. He will fill the position that Thomas Todaro departed last summer and work both from an office in Suttons Bay and out at the Northwest MI Horticultural Research Center (NWMRC). As many of you know the MSU Extension positions at the SWMRC and NWMHRC are absolutely critical to the success by growers and winemakers in Michigan. Through their research, leadership over the research vineyards in each region, their communication with growers and role in education and communication of research results, Dr Katherine East (SWMRC) and Mr. Nasrollahiazar play an essential role in the success of our industry in the future. Below is an introductory message from MSU, which I could not improve upon, so I’ve included it for your information on Esmaeil’s background and duties. Thank you, Nikki!
We growers welcome Esmaeil and are committed to collaborating with him and his MSU/Extension colleagues for success in his work and his new life in NW Michigan!”
-Tom Petzold, Research & Education Committee Chair

See Esmaeil’s Bio!

Harvest, the most wonderful time of the year! 2020 has changed us in many ways but the vines annual cycle continues without interruption. The conditions this year are leading to awesome fruit quality which means great wines that will age well, in many cases. There will be something good to remember about 2020 after all!

Our hearts go out to the Oxley family of Lawton, MI for the tragic loss of their 6 year-old son in an accident. Nancie Oxley is the Wine Maker at St Julian Wine Company and has been a member of the Michigan wine industry for nearly 20 years. Let’s all do anything we can to support the Oxley’s and St Julian during this difficult time.

In 2020, the MWC has focused our efforts on the things we are able to do. Last month we sent invitations to Beer and Wine Distributors asking them to sponsor the MWC efforts to market Michigan wines. So far we’ve had positive response and we are confident it’s just the beginning. We have also worked to communicate with the wine industry, important information on COVID 19 response and actions required to stay safe and stay open. We are approaching 7 months into the COVID 19 pandemic and the actions taken in Michigan are working. So let’s all stay the course for the months ahead as we go through harvest and head into the holidays.

Have a safe and successful harvest!

Our very own President of Michigan Wine Collaborative, Dave Miller, has been recognized by Wine Business Monthly for being a leader in the North American wine industry. “Some of the influential people on this list are known to virtually anyone who follows the wine industry, while others are influential yet fly “under the radar.” All of them are leaders in the North American wine business.”

“A founding member of the Michigan Wine Collaborative, a non-profit organization supporting the Michigan wine industry, David Miller continues to lobby and advocate for research funding, marketing dollars, and the promotion of the local wines. In addition to his work with the MWC, he is the owner/winemaker of White Pine Winery and Vineyards and an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University.”

The 2020 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO and Michigan Greenhouse Growers EXPO will be a virtual, online event on December 8-10. Traditionally, prior attendees get a pre-conference brochure at the end of September so they can be prepared for registration. If you have attended the EXPO in the past, you can expect this pre-conference brochure at the end of October.

Online registration will open on November 1, 2020. Planning the event has pushed our schedule back, but we still plan on having our normal full educational sessions with many trade show vendors. In addition to
the pre-conference brochure, you will be able to find updated EXPO information, including a link to registration, at www.glexpo.com.