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Please forward this e-newsletter to other members of your organization who might have interest in the articles. It's easy to subscribe -- follow the link at the bottom of any page at www.michiganwines.com to be sure you don’t miss an issue. Back issues are posted on the website under Industry/Council Business/E-Newsletter. Feedback is always welcome to Linda at 517 284-5741 or JonesL9@michigan.gov.
Many wineries, retailers and restaurants leveraged the declaration of Michigan Wine Month by Governor Rick Snyder to engage in special promotions during April. Initiated by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, Michigan Wine Month is intended to provide a focus to kick off the summer wine touring season and raise awareness about the Michigan wine industry. Several media articles related to Michigan Wine Month are listed in the Media articles section of this newsletter.
Summer Semester - Deadline May 15
VIN 111 - Introduction to Viticulture
VIN 146 - Introduction to Enology
VIN 215 - Summer/Fall Viticulture Technology
Fall Semester - Deadline August 14
http://www.vesta-usa.org/Students/Course-Schedule
 The 2015 Michigan Wine Competition will be held August 11 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. Entry forms will be due to the Council office by July 24, with wine deliveries to be made between July 20 and 30. Entry materials will be posted online and mailed to eligible producers by the end of June.
The Gold Medal Reception at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center will be held on August 20. A block of 25 rooms starting at $109 per night are available for those who reserve prior to July 19. The hotel is often sold out weeks ahead for the night of the Gold Medal Reception, so reserving your room in advance is recommended. Call 800-875-5090 and reference the Gold Medal Reception.
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 The Grape and Wine Industry Council is pleased to have Michelle Gagliardi on board as a student assistant for the summer. Michelle recently graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. "I have always been fascinated by the wine industry," she says. "While attending Michigan State I was able to participate in a Wines and Vines horticulture class where I developed a passion for the subject. I later became the student assistant for the same class and from there pursued a job in the grape and wine industry."
Michelle will be calling wineries over the next month to encourage you to review your listing on www.michiganwines.com and submit any changes and enhancements to be added to the site in early summer.
We’ve given Michelle a few additional questions to ask wineries when she calls. Please give her a few minutes of your time. Michelle can be contacted at gagliardim1@michigan.gov or 517-284-5759.
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Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has embarked on a search to fill the position of Dean of the College to replace Dr. Fred Poston, who will retire at the end of 2015. The search committee is seeking industry input on the following questions:
- What characteristics do you believe are essential for the selected candidate?
- What does your organization believe are the greatest opportunities for a new Dean?
Please forward any thoughts you might have on these questions to Linda Jones, JonesL9@michigan.gov, by May 21.
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council will meet May 21 at the Bayshore Resort in Traverse City starting at 10:45 am. If you would like to receive a copy of the meeting agenda in advance, please e-mail Sherri Goodreau goodreaus@michigan.gov by noon on May 19. Council meetings are open to the public and industry members are encouraged to attend. Minutes are posted at www.michiganwines.com/council-business. The next meeting will be August 20 in East Lansing prior to the Gold Medal Reception.
 The 2015 edition of Michigan Wine Country magazine has been delivered to more than 200 locations throughout the state. To order copies for distribution, please contact Sherri Goodreau at 517-284-5733 or goodreaus@michigan.gov.
Please use the flyer inserted in each box to direct people to the mobile-friendly digital edition.
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As part of a USDA-funded project coordinated by the Grape and Wine Industry Council to examine different options for sustainability programs for the Michigan wine industry, a group of industry representatives visited Oregon and Washington in late April to learn about programs in place in those states. Focus was given to winery wastewater management and energy use. The participants gained a lot of insight into these issues during the visits with industry associations, non-profit organizations and wineries. This trip, and a previous one to California, will aid in developing a summary of practices from across the nation in this area of growing importance to the wine industry.
The consulting firm on this project, 5 Lakes Energy, has been posting information about this project at 5lakesenergy.com, and the presentation from the Winery Sustainability session at the March 4 Conference is available at www.michiganwines.com/conference.
 The steering committee will meet in early June to review results of the online industry survey, energy audits, and comparative analysis of other regions’ programs. The focus of the meeting will be to develop recommendations that will be included in the final report on the project, due August 1. A presentation from the project team will be on the agenda for the August 20 Council meeting in East Lansing. Additional information on the project can be found at www.michiganwines.com/research.
Members of the steering committee are: Spencer Stegenga (Bowers Harbor Vineyards), Jeff Lemon (Lemon Creek Winery), Robin Usborne (East of Eden Vineyards), Adam Satchwell (Shady Lane Cellars), Josh Appleby (MAEAP), Michelle Crook (MDARD), Gordon Wenk (MDARD and Council), and Rufus Isaacs (MSU).
An application has been submitted to MDARD for a second USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to continue this work in 2015-2016. In late summer, we will learn whether this competitive application was successful. Stay tuned.
The Wine Institute and the Oregon Winegrowers Association are preparing to move against Stephen B. Diamond, an Illinois attorney who has filed hundreds of lawsuits against wineries and other Internet shipping companies in "qui tam" litigation brought in the name of the state Attorney General against wineries that have shipped wine direct to consumers. Information at wineindustryinsight.com.
The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently closed the public comment period on the proposed rule change regarding use of AVAs by neighboring states. With input from Michigan winery members of WineAmerica, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council provided comments in opposition of the proposed rule. As indicated in this media story, comments from more than 30 individuals and organizations were mixed.
Washington, Oregon wine leaders oppose proposed AVA rule
 Planning continues toward another successful City of Riesling event July 26-27, right here in the Great Lakes State! There are opportunities for participation from wineries around the state. View detailed information, including sponsor options, in the Council's April e-newsletter and contact Amanda Danielson for additional information.
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Wines and Vines "Tasting Room Focus" - May Newsletter
Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute - "Wine Grower News"
One of the action items identified in the Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan was to create a website to assist members of the tourism industry in communicating with their state and federal legislators on legislative issues. The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan developed the site, providing many resources to identify legislators in your district, follow tourism-related bills, etc. Visit www.mitourismadvocacy.com.
Participants in this webinar will learn how the soil health principles of minimizing soil disturbance, increasing diversity, keeping living roots growing throughout the year, and maintaining residue cover can be applied in orchards, vineyards, and groves to improve soil health, increase productivity, and minimize environmental impacts. Details at conservationwebinars.net.
 North Coast Ag Advisors, GreenStone Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit East are pleased to announce the launch of the Michigan Winery & Vineyard Benchmark Program for Michigan winery and vineyard owners and managers. GreenStone is the sponsoring underwriter of the program while Farm Credit East provides the technology tools for data analysis.
A first of its kind in Michigan, the program is designed for winery and vineyard business owners and managers to help them better understand their competitive position in the marketplace, provide insight into industry trends and assess the financial implications of their growing, wine-making and marketing strategies, decisions and practices.
Press Release - Michigan Winery Benchmark Program
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Permits Online is a free, secure electronic system that allows you to apply for the type of permit, notification, or notice you need to start your TTB-regulated business, or amend your existing approvals. The Permits Online Tutorial (TTB G 2014-2) is designed to help make using Permits Online a quick and easy process.
Permits Online includes a number of integrated error-checking areas that can minimize many of the mistakes and possible questions that may pop up while filling out your application. The online tutorial is the perfect supplement to the system, taking you step-by-step through the process of using Permits Online, from preparing and submitting your application to following the status of your application all the way to approval.
 Many industry members attended Dave Haviland's Pre-Conference Session at the 2014 Michigan Grape and Wine Conference. Phimation's Monthly Strategy Hour is an opportunity for you to get a peek into Dave's consulting tool kit, talk with Dave about any strategic issues you have, and hear what other Stage 2 leaders are thinking about, via conference call.
The hour includes:
- 15 minutes of practical advice from Dave on a strategic topic
- 15 minutes of Q&A on that topic
- 30 minutes of strategy "office hours" when Dave provides his thoughts on any question you want to ask
Dave usually holds his Monthly Strategy Hour 8-9am on the second or third Friday of each month. To receive notification of future strategy hours, contact dave@phimation.com.
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Michigan Farm Bureau's Ag Labor and Safety Services division has partnered with Varnum LLP to provide a regularly updated online subscription service for federal and state employment law issues. The Agricultural Employment Compliance Guide is designed to provide practical information and FAQs on employment law hot topics while summarizing the primary federal and state employment laws and providing Extension resources and links applicable to agricultural employers.
Recent updates to the guide include:
Updated Employment Forms:
- Employment Packet
- Employment Application
- Housing Documents
30 New FAQs, including:
- What procedure should I follow to hire a crew leader and his crew?
- What are the differences between OSHA and MDARD camp rules?
- What are the current interpretations on travel time, breaks and lunch periods?
- Are there any special rules that apply if I hire my non-payroll employees through an employee staffing firm?
To learn more and subscribe to the online guide, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Clarke.
 Donnie Winchell, from the Ohio Wine Producers Association, staged another successful License to Steal Conference in Geneva on the Lake, Ohio in April. Donnie notes in her conference summary that the program speakers were great, but the relationships developed were even more powerful ...
Be they politicians or media types or other 'influencers' on the business scene in which you are involved, getting out and about and building relationships with those with whom you MIGHT have future contact is a powerful thing. As society moves ever more to virtual and electronic connections, face to face contact becomes ever more important. When an issue, crisis or opportunity arises, the ability to pick up the phone and have it answered, the knowledge that your e-mail will not be immediately deleted and the chance to have a favor granted or door opened could become a 'tipping' point in moving your issue to a positive conclusion.
So attend industry conferences, join your chamber, show up at tourism meetings, sit next to the reporter at your next opportunity, visit your congressional and state elected officials' offices with literature about your winery ... just get out as much as your schedule allows.
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 The I.D. Checking Guide is useful any time you want to verify an I.D. document presented by a customer or an employee, which makes it perfect for underage liquor sales control and I-9 compliance. The cost is $23.95 for one copy; 2-19 copies are $18.95, with $6.00 shipping and handling per order.
Contact Linda Arata, Drivers License Guide Co., 800-227-8827, linda@driverslicenseguide.com.
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Northern Grapes Project "News You Can Use"
Winery Profitability Recorded Webinars
North Coast Ag Advisors
Michigan Winery Benchmark Program Launched
MSU Survey Regarding Entrepreneurial Actions in Emerging Wine Regions
In 2011, Dr. Brent Ross, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at the Michigan State University, received grant funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate entrepreneurial activity in emerging wine regions in three states (MI, MO and NY).
The research team also includes collaborators with experience in the wine industry from Cornell University and the University of Missouri. The objective of this ongoing research is identifying the success factors leading to survival and growth of wineries and the development of grape-wine-hospitality clusters.
A first survey of wineries in the three states was conducted in 2012 to identify the challenges faced by the wineries and describe their business operations. The research team is currently conducting a second survey of wineries to examine how the wineries have developed in the last three years and the strategies they are pursuing to meet their goals.
As part of the outreach component of the project, the research team is engaged with the grape and wine industry associations in the three states to share results with industry stakeholders. The main objective of the project is to generate knowledge that can help wineries in achieving their business goals.
Wineries should have received an email request to participate. The results are expected to be available by the end of the year. For more information, contact Dr. Brent Ross at rross@msu.edu.
 ... Grape and Wine Industry Council member Brien Fox (left), president and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Henry A. Fox Sales Co., for being named the new chair of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, the national trade association for wine and spirits distributors.
... 45 North for receiving Chairman's Award and Best of Class for a medium-dry Chenin Blanc at Riverside Wine Competition held last week in California. Chateau Grand Traverse received Best of Class award for 2013 Gamay Noir. Chairman's Awards also went to: St. Julian Winery for 2014 Braganini Reserve Vignoles Dessert Wine, produced with grapes from Oxley Farms; and Bowers Harbor Vineyards for 2013 Dry Riesling from Smokey Hollow Vineyard.
... Laurentide Winery for receiving Double Gold and Best of Class at the International Eastern Wine Competition for their 2013 Chardonnay. Chateau Grand Traverse received Double Gold and Best of Class for 2013 Etcetera, and Double Gold for 2013 Late Harvest Riesling. Also Black Star Farms, Best of Class for 2013 Late Harvest Riesling, and Shady Lane Cellars, Double Gold for 2013 Riesling.
... Several wineries received Double Gold honors at Tasters Guild Competition: Chateau Fontaine, 2013 Dry Riesling; Fenn Valley Vineyards, "42" Ice Wine; 45 North, 2013 Riesling, 2014 Chardonnay; MAWBY, Tradition; St. Julian, Solera Cream Sherry, 2014 Riesling, Sparkling Peach; Tabor Hill, Grand Mark.
... Chef Eric Batten, C.E.C, from The Gallery at Michigan State University for receiving the award for the best wine and food pairing at the Michigan Pork Producers’ Taste of Elegance event in Lansing in February. Chef Eric paired Lemon Creek Winery Shiraz with Adobe Smoked Pork Belly for a winning combination!
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How Well Do You Know Legal Regulations for Winery Social Media? (winebusiness.com)
Gravity Tees Up Vine to Wine Touring (Moody on the Market)
The Winter That Just Wouldn't Quit (Wines & Vines)
Unsung American Wine Regions (Cheers)
Forget Silicon Valley, what about the next Napa Valley in Michigan? (Michigan Radio)
Eight Answers to Your Michigan Wine FAQs (Pure Michigan)
Northport Winery Closing (The Ticker)
Agriculture experts piece together state impact of winter crop damage to multi-million dollar wine industry (UpNorth Live)
Mawby: Michigan's Sparkling Wines (Kitchen Chat)
Michigan's Best: Where is the Best Winery in the State? (mlive.com)
Dablon Vineyards Take Flight (Moody on the Market)
Would You Like A State Funded Wine Organization? (Midwest Wine Press)
New Sustainability Program for Michigan? (Wines and Vines)
Agriculture Forum: Connecting with the wine grape industry (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
Michigan Wines Featuring Karma Vista Vineyards (Kitchen Chat)
Cosmic Wines from Southwest Michigan (Midwest Wine Press)
State Agriculture Department Launches the Second Edition of the Michigan Agriculture Magazine
Michigan wineries talk news and new vintages at local showcase (Hour Detroit)
Sampling Michigan Wines and Ciders at Detroit Showcase (flavor 574)
New Traverse City Winery Aims to Please (WOOD-TV8)
From the Farmer: A Fine Time for Michigan Wine (Michigan Ag Council)
Chateau Chantal to Harvest Solar Power (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
Land Stewardship Important to Old Mission Wineries (Brownfield Ag News)
Wineries' Tourism Draw (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
Thumbs Up to New Wine Trail (Blue Water Living - p. 6)
Wine Showcase shines light on Michigan varieties (Detroit News)
Celebrate Michigan Wine Month with Brys Estate (WZZM-TV13)
Michigan wineries could run out of grapes (Interlochen Public Radio)
Winter grape bud injury for the second year in a row (MSU Extension)
Sleeping among the vines: Winery bed and breakfasts (USA Today Travel)
Live in the D: Michigan Wine Showcase (WDIV-Detroit)
Michigan Wines Showcase coming up Monday April 20 at the Rattlesnake (Detroit News)
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