October 2025 Newsletter
Join or renew your MWC membership, Save the date for the MWC Annual Meeting, Participate in the 2025 Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, & Food Festival, MWC awarded Specialty Crop Block Grant, Read October’s Wine Law article, Learn about VitiNord 2025, Explore or submit to MWC Classifieds, Listen in to the If Vines Could Talk podcast, Enroll in or update your Vintage Michigan listing, and more! |
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Last Chance for MWC Renewals But Always A GREAT Time to Join!
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MWC memberships renewed on September 15th. For those not enrolled in auto renewal, please make sure to manually renew your membership by the end of this month to avoid your membership lapsing. You can pay online at mwc.wildapricot.org or mail a check to:
PO BOX 98
NORTHVILLE, MI 48167
We are also asking our membership to aid us in recruiting new members. Now is the ideal time to join MWC as our membership cycle occurs annual from the start/renewal date of September 15th. 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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Save the Date! MWC Annual Meeting and Election is Back at the NW Orchard & Vineyard Show January 2026!
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| The 2026 Northwest MI Orchard & Vineyard Show is scheduled for January 13-14 at the Grand Traverse Resort. Once again MI Wine Collaborative will be hosting our Annual Meeting and Election at this event on January 13th at 4:00pm.
We will be updating the membership and industry on our activities over the last year, goals for the 2026, and executing our Board of Directors and bylaws election.
Open Board Seats Include:
Board Seats Up For Re-Election Include:
- SW Winery (2)
- Retail/Restaurant
Stay tuned for more information on ballot measures. RSVP at the button below.
Reach out to Emily with to be included on the ballot or with any questions! |
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2026 Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show – Vendor Registration
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| The 2026 Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show will take place at the Grand Traverse Resort’s Governors’ Hall January 13th and 14th.
The show’s set up will be held on Monday, January 12th from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. As in past years, we need those of you with larger equipment to be in the room before noon. The show will begin on Tuesday, January 13th at 8:00 a.m. The exhibit area will open at 8:00 a.m. January 13th and 14th.
We would appreciate it if you could remain set up until 4:00 p.m. on January 14th. If you are planning on bringing any large trucks and/or trailers, you must park in the parking lot by the water tower. The Grand Traverse Resort has told us that they will tow if large trucks and trailers are not in the designated area. The deadline to register is January 2, 2026.
This year’s booth rates are as follows:
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| Single booth, 8’ x 10’ |
$550 |
| Double booth, 8’ x 20’ |
$800 |
| Quad booth, 16’x 20’ |
$1,050 |
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| SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The generous support of local businesses and show vendors have helped us defray some of the cost of coffee, rolls and food we provide for the show attendees and vendors. We recognize our sponsorship participants by the levels of their donation.
Benefits for Sponsors:
Brand/Company Exposure: Increase brand or company visibility among key decision-makers in the northwest Michigan tree fruit and grape industry.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with potential clients, partners and industry experts.
Thought Leadership: Position your company as an industry leader by supporting educational and networking events.
Community Impact: Demonstrate your commitment to the northwest Michigan agricultural community and growers.
If you would like to participate in the sponsorship program, please make checks payable to Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation, and mail them to:
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation
6686 S. Center Highway
Traverse City, MI 49684
Or you can use a credit card through this registration website! |
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Exhibit at the 2026 Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, & Food Festival
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MWC is collaborating with ShowSpan to increase the presence of Michigan wine at this iconic event. ShowSpan is offering exclusive offers to MWC members interested in exhibiting at the festival. Those exclusive offerings include:
- $100 discount of their booth/table ($975)
- MWC Members can share a table – thus each bringing to the Festival 4 wines/labels for sampling ($487.50)
| MWC will be present at the festival hosting the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Showcase booth where we will be pouring winning wines from the competition. Additionally, we will also be hosting the official Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Award Ceremony where the Governor’s Cup trophy will be transferred from Verterra to Cherry Creek Cellars. We are encouraging all members who are available to attend the ceremony and exhibit at the festival. Please consider sharing a booth to maximize value!
There will also be an opportunity to pour for retail and restaurant buyers of the Grand Rapids area during the industry event on Friday November 21st from 1pm-3pm. We are encouraging all participating wineries to be prepared to attend this portion of the festival and come prepared with wholesale materials. This is a great opportunity to create connections with influential buyers in a valuable market of the state. MWC is looking forward to crafting a unified front for Michigan wine through this event to make an impact to this audience prior to exhibiting to the general public attendees. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT!
Reach out to Dawn Baker at Showspan with any additional questions.
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MWC Awarded USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Award
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| “The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that it has distributed $2.08 million of funding to 19 food and agriculture entities throughout Michigan under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.”Specialty crops are the backbone of Michigan’s agricultural success, but market uncertainty, unpredictable weather and labor constraints are making them harder to grow and get to market,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These Specialty Crop Block Grants are strategic investments that will help Michigan farmers boost yields and access new markets, thereby giving Michiganders more access to locally grown foods and enhancing community health and prosperity.”
MWC is very excited to announce our 2025 award of $64,800 for the “Taste Best of Michigan” pilot program to educate and train wine wholesalers and retailers on expanding consumer access to Michigan wines. The primary objective of this program is to increase sales of Michigan wines in retail stores and restaurants throughout the state by providing tools and support to wholesale and distribution channels, thus stimulating consumer purchases of products produced by the Michigan grape and wine industry. |
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Wine Law from Howard & Howard October 2025 Edition
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Michigan’s wineries have become some of the state’s most sought-after wedding and event destinations. Vineyard views, fun tasting rooms, and a local atmosphere make these venues desirable to couples seeking something different from traditional banquet halls. For winery owners, event rentals offer an appealing revenue stream, especially in months when tourism or tasting room sales slow down.
But as the number of weddings and private events on Michigan vineyard properties continues to rise, so do the legal risks. Hosting an event where alcohol is served, food is catered, and hundreds of guests gather on agricultural land raises complicated issues under state liquor law, local zoning regulations, and common-law liability principles. Many winery owners are surprised to learn that a single oversight in permitting, contracting, or compliance can jeopardize not only the event but also the winery’s liquor license and, in turn, the business itself.
In short, before the first glass of sparkling rosé is poured, it’s critical to ensure your legal foundation is as sound as your wine…
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| As a cold climate grape and wine producer, you know what it means to grow grapes where the seasons are short and the winters are long. You have faced winter cold and spring frost, cool summers and rainy harvest season. Yet, in most years, your vines thrive, and your wine tells a story that only cold climates can write. This December, Vilnius becomes the global stage for cold-climate winegrowing – VitiNord 2025. You should be there. VitiNord 2025 is more than a conference. It’s a meeting of minds and hearts from across the northern winegrowing world – producers, researchers, innovators, and leaders who know that cooperation is not optional – it’s essential. In regions like ours, the future of viticulture depends on sharing knowledge, strategies, and breakthroughs across borders.
This year’s VitiNord conference carries even more weight than in the past. For the first time, the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) will participate in the program, signaling that cold-climate regions are stepping into the spotlight.
Over the three days of VitiNord, you will:
• Learn from leading experts in viticulture, enology, wine marketing, and cross-border cooperation,
• Taste wines and meet the winemakers from across the north – from North America to Poland, Scandinavia and the Baltics,
• Discover practical innovations to boost your production and quality,
• Explore Lithuanian vineyards adapting to today’s climate shifts,
• Build connections with peers from 15 countries, and feel part of something bigger.
View the VitiNord 2025 program HERE!
Register for VitiNord 2025 HERE!
Vilnius Park Plaza Hotel offers VitiNord attendees a discount for rooms.
Discount code is: VITINORD2025 |
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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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WINERY: Lake Michigan VintnersNow Hiring: Winery Technician (Part-Time → Full-Time in 2026)
Lake Michigan College’s Wine & Viticulture Technology program is looking for a Winery
Technician to start immediately!
This role begins part-time (1–2 days per week) through the end of 2025 and transitions to
full-time in January 2026 — with a schedule that includes:
• 2 days assisting in our Enology Co-Op classes
• 1.5 days in the winery – production & cellar work
• 1.5 days in the tasting room – conducting tasting and supporting events
This is an ideal role for:
• Recent grads or early-career wine professionals
• Organized, detail-oriented team players
• Those eager to deepen their cellar, tasting room, and teaching experience
Location: Lake Michigan Vintners – Benton Harbor, MI
Start Date: ASAP (part-time) → Full-time January 2026
Apply Here: lmc.simplehire.com/postings/5467
Help us make great wine, teach the next generation, and represent Michigan wine!
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If Vines Could Talk Upcoming Line Up
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| Harvest season continues with*If Vines Could Talk* and they’re celebrating with a lineup of must-listen episodes! Among the mix:
October 23, 2025 Episode 119: Lauren Kniebes – Old Shore Pinot Noir
October 30, 2025 Episode 120: Anna Rafalski – Granor Spirit
November 06, 2025 Episode 121: Lauren Burns – Grazing Science
November 13, 2025 Episode 122: Michael Wells – Black Fire
November 20, 2025 Episode 123: Bob Utter – Cold-Hardy Craft
November 27, 2025 Episode 124: Winnie Guerra – Sustainability Consulting
Tune in at https://tinyurl.com/ifvinescouldtalk |
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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
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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