October 2026 Newsletter
Make the most of your 2027 MWC membership! Join us in Grand Rapids this November to celebrate the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup, explore exhibitor opportunities at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Show, and save the date for the 2027 Michigan Craft Beverage Summit.
Plus, catch up on the latest issue of Michigan Uncorked, discover how becoming a Good Sam Overnight Stays host could land your business a feature in Wildsam magazine, meet our newest sponsor and member, Cellarfront, and more! |
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Make the Most of 2027: Renew or Join Michigan Wine Collaborative!
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A stronger Michigan wine industry starts with collaboration—and there’s never been a better time to be part of it!
As we look ahead to 2027, Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) invites wineries, vineyards, industry partners, and supporters to renew their membership or join our growing statewide network.
MWC is dedicated to advancing Michigan’s wine industry through advocacy, education, marketing, research, and meaningful collaboration. From celebrating excellence through the Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup to expanding opportunities for professional development, industry partnerships, and consumer engagement, we’re working to elevate Michigan wine and the people behind it.
Your MWC membership connects you to opportunities to:
- Increase visibility through statewide marketing initiatives, industry promotions, and events celebrating Michigan wine.
- Build connections with fellow wine professionals, businesses, and industry partners across Michigan.
- Access educational opportunities and resources designed to strengthen your business and support professional growth.
- Amplify your voice through collaborative advocacy and representation of Michigan’s wine industry.
- Enjoy member benefits including exclusive opportunities, event discounts, and promotional support.
Whether you’re a longtime member or considering joining for the first time, your participation helps strengthen the collective voice and future of Michigan wine.
Renew your membership or join today and help us make 2027 another year of growth, connection, and collaboration! |
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ARE YOU MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MWC MEMBERSHIP?
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| Your MWC membership can pay for itself.
MWC members have access to an ever-growing lineup of exclusive discounts, complimentary services, event savings, competition perks, and industry resources — with new benefits added throughout the year.
Already a member? Make sure you’re getting the full value of your membership! Explore the current offers and take advantage of the benefits available exclusively to you.
Not a member yet? Join MWC today and start taking advantage of member benefits now — plus everything we have coming in 2027.
More benefits. More connections. More value from your MWC membership. |
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MWC Grapes for Sale Page in Full Swing for Harvest!
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| Growers can post available grapes with information including variety, quantity, price, growing region, location, farming practices, harvest year and contact information. Buyers can easily browse and filter current listings to find fruit that fits their production needs.
Our goal is simple: make it easier for Michigan-grown grapes to find Michigan buyers while creating another valuable connection point for our statewide wine industry.
With the 2026 harvest approaching, now is the perfect time to put this new resource to work.
- Have grapes available? Post a listing.
- Looking for fruit? Browse what’s available.
Listings will continue to be updated as new fruit becomes available. |
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Celebrate Michigan Wine Excellence at the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony!
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Join us in Grand Rapids on Friday, November 20, as we raise a glass to the best of Michigan wine!
Michigan Wine Collaborative invites member wineries and industry professionals along with the press to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Michigan’s wine industry at the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony, taking place at 3:00 PM during the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place.
This year’s competition featured 214 wines from 44 Michigan wineries, showcasing the incredible quality, diversity, and craftsmanship of wines being produced across the state.
We’re planning a special celebration featuring distinguished guest presenters, industry recognition, and a special message from Governor Gretchen Whitmer honoring the accomplishments of Michigan’s wine community. Stay tuned as we reveal more of the exciting lineup!
A Special Benefit for MWC Members: Complimentary Gold Medals!
We’re also excited to announce that MWC member wineries receiving Gold or Double Gold honors in the 2026 competition will receive complimentary physical medals to proudly display their achievements in tasting rooms, at events, and beyond. In addition, the BIG Governor’s Cup trophy will be officially awarded to French Valley Vineyard alongside inaugural awards to the Winery of the Year, Stoney Ridge Vineyards, and Winemaker of the Year, Blake Lougheed.
Whether you’re a winning winery, an industry partner, or simply a champion of Michigan wine, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the people and wines helping move our industry forward.
MWC members are encouraged to RSVP HERE!
Members of the Press who are interested in covering the event should REACH OUT HERE!
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Showcase Your Wines at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Show!
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Put your wines in the spotlight at one of Michigan’s premier food and beverage events!
The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Show returns to DeVos Place this November, and Michigan wineries are invited to be part of the celebration!
This year, Michigan Wine Collaborative is working with event organizers to create a dedicated Taste Michigan Wine District, offering wineries an exciting opportunity to connect with wine enthusiasts, introduce new consumers to their brands, and celebrate the exceptional wines being produced across the state.
The festival offers Michigan wineries a unique opportunity to connect with both industry professionals and consumers in one exciting weekend! On Friday, November 20, from 1–3 PM, guests representing MLCC-licensed businesses are invited to sample participating exhibitors’ beverages at no cost, providing an opportunity to introduce new releases, showcase standout wines, and build valuable trade relationships.
The 2026 Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony follows from 3–4 PM, celebrating the state’s award-winning wines and the people behind them, just before the festival opens to the public at 4 PM. Together, these events create a full afternoon of industry networking, recognition, and consumer engagement.
MWC members receive discounted exhibitor booth rates, making participation even more valuable for wineries looking to expand their visibility and connect directly with consumers.
Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or considering participating for the first time, we encourage you to join us in Grand Rapids and help showcase the strength and diversity of Michigan wine!
Follow the button below to learn more or reach out to Dawn at ShowSpan at dawnb@showspan.com |
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Save the Date: 2027 Michigan Craft Beverage Summit!
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Mark your calendars for the 2027 Michigan Craft Beverage Summit! This annual gathering brings together Michigan’s wine, beer, cider, spirits, and other craft beverage professionals for opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate across the industry.
From educational sessions and industry insights to networking with fellow producers and partners, the Summit offers an opportunity to explore the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping Michigan’s craft beverage community.
Stay tuned for additional details about the 2027 Summit, including programming, speakers, and registration information!
SAVE THE DATE — DETAILS COMING SOON! |
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MWC Has a New Sponsor & Member!!
Introducing Cellarfront: E-Commerce Websites Built for Small Wineries
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| Running a small winery means wearing a lot of hats. Between making wine, managing tasting room operations, and building relationships with customers, finding time to manage your website can be a challenge. But your website is one of the most important tools for attracting new customers and growing DTC sales.
Cellarfront specializes in building and managing e-commerce websites for small and independent wineries. Our goal is to help wineries attract more customers, increase online sales, and build lasting customer relationships—without adding another technology headache to an already busy schedule.
Our done-for-you websites include expert design, e-commerce integrations, hosting, maintenance, and ongoing content updates. We take care of the technical details and keep your website running, so you don’t have to worry about managing all the moving parts yourself.
Cellarfront’s service is available for an affordable monthly price, with no setup fees. That means you can have a professional winery website that integrates with your preferred e-commerce solution without a large upfront investment or the hassle of managing it on your own.
At Cellarfront, we believe small wineries deserve websites that work as hard as they do. By taking website management off your plate, we help you spend less time wrestling with technology and more time doing what you do best: making great wine and growing your business.
As a supporter of Michigan Wine Collaborative, Cellarfront is offering MWC members 20% off their first six months of Cellarfront service.
If you’d like to learn more about how Cellarfront can help with your own e-commerce website, visit cellarfront.com, or email cellarfront@cellarfront.com to get in touch. Just mention the MWC member offer to receive your discount. |
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THIS JUST IN! Michigan Uncorked Winter 2026 Issue
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Help Shape Future TTB Digital Services
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| TTB is building a volunteer pool of industry members interested in giving feedback on future myTTB designs, including Permits, COLAs, and related TTB services. Research sessions will take place from the fall through next spring.
This is a chance to have a direct voice in how these systems are designed before they are built. Your feedback can help TTB understand what works well today, where industry members lose time or run into confusion, and what would make future tools easier and more efficient to use. The goal is to make sure new designs reflect real industry workflows, not just internal assumptions.
Researchers are looking for people with a range of experience levels and roles, including owners, operations and compliance staff, and others who regularly interact with TTB systems. Participants may be invited to voluntary Zoom sessions to review early concepts or prototypes, walk through common tasks, and share feedback based on their experience.
Participation is voluntary, and identifying information will not be shared. Responses will be anonymized.
If you would like to be added to the volunteer pool for future research sessions, please contact Patty Costello at patty.costello@bixal.com. If you have questions about the research or participation, you can also reach out to Janelle at janelle.christian@ttb.gov |
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A Chance to Get Your Small Business Featured in Wildsam Magazine!
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| We’re excited to announce through our partnership with Good Sam, they’re giving our members an opportunity to gain national exposure through Wildsam, a trusted travel publication that highlights unique places, people, and businesses across the country.
From now through October 31st, any business that becomes a host on Good Sam Overnight Stays will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of 3 Wildsam magazine features in 2027 — with winners selected at random!
Why become a Good Sam host?
By joining Overnight Stays, you can:
• Get your business in front of 600k+ RV travelers
• Attract new visitors and potential customers
• Share your business and story with travelers looking for unique experiences
• Receive a free Good Sam Elite Membership when you become a host
• And have the chance to receive valuable national exposure through Wildsam Magazine
Best of all, it’s free to become a host.
Become a host by October 31st to be entered into the contest! |
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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 FILL OUT THIS FORM 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 2026 Board Meeting Invitation
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| Michigan Wine Collaborative is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: MWC Board Meeting
Time: November 3, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Tuesday
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZAtf-6vrzotHNxf6WWTXMvEfRfCOtdyPy1c/ics?icsToken=DEOStCvBoMOFEEeMywAALAAAAM91pDrdN8by5N-z7q7VXO3Xm6MgOlJAwVBDllVYH8sIRI-w0SrbLKk_fP_E6TSq6LzHicKwK4M3RZcN1TAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=2DE_bbJvRz-J2hWTQI-UDQ
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84087711768
Meeting ID: 840 8771 1768 |
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The Michigan Wine Collaborative appreciates support from the following Sponsors and Supplier/Vendor Members:
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| 2026 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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