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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 Karel at 517-284-5742 or bushk9@michigan.gov.
I am pleased to announce that Karel Bush has been selected as the Grape and Wine Program Manager on the staff of the Agriculture Development Division at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) as Linda Jones makes the transition to retirement in January. The selection committee interviewed 15 quality candidates in late October. I know that Karel is going to do a great job in carrying on the leadership Linda has provided over the past 17 years. Karel will take over her official duties on November 23 and will work in tandem with Linda as we move into the new year. Congratulations, Karel. I look forward to working with you in your new position.
 The 2016 Michigan Grape and Wine Conference and Northern Grapes Symposium will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo February 24-26. Complete conference details will be posted at www.michiganwines.com/conference in early November.
The hotel is holding a block of rooms until February 2, 2016, at a reduced rate of $110 per night, plus tax. Reserve online at www.radissonkz.com, enter promotional code MGWI; or by phone at 800-967-9033, and reference the Michigan Grape and Wine Conference.
The Conference Planning Committee has a great line-up of educational and social events planned. Thanks to Dean Bender, Lawton Ridge Winery; Nancie Oxley, St. Julian Wine Co.; Brian Lillie, Chateau Chantal; Robin Usborne, East of Eden Vineyard; Lorri Hathaway, Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail; Dr. Paolo Sabbatini, MSU; and Brad Baughman, MSU, for their assistance in planning the 2016 conference.
Sponsorship and exhibitor information is available at www.michiganwines.com/conference. Prospective sponsors and exhibitors may contact Sherri Goodreau at goodreaus@michigan.gov or 517-284-5733 with questions. As you are speaking with suppliers to the industry, please encourage them to participate.
2016 Northern Grapes Symposium Kicks Off the Conference February 24
Super Hardy Grape Cultivars: An Option for Michigan and the Upper Midwest
Like a conference within a conference, the Northern Grapes Symposium features a series of sessions to share results of USDA-funded research conducted over the past four years through the Northern Grapes Project. These research projects were conducted by more than 30 researchers in 12 states, targeted to improve knowledge in viticulture, enology and marketing of super cold hardy varieties bred specifically for northern climates at plant breeding programs in the Midwest and New York. Examples of the varieties that are gaining increased support from the industry in the Midwest and other colder regions of the U.S. include Marquette, Frontenac, Petite Pearl, La Crescent and many others. The goal of the Northern Grapes Project is to help producers overcome production and marketing challenges of making and selling wine from these varieties and increase the profitability and sustainability of emerging cold climate grape and wine industries. Visit www.northerngrapesproject.org for more information about the Northern Grapes Project.
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Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Dinner and Keynote Sponsor:
 Reserve Sponsor:
 Reserve Sponsor:
November 23 - MSU Campus - 4:30-7pm
Parking suggestions will be sent with a reminder on November 20 to those who are pre-registered.
December 8 - Grand Rapids - 4:30-7pm
Parking suggestions will be sent with a reminder on December 4 to those who are pre-registered.
Background: A few months ago, a group of Michigan winemakers together with MSU and MDARD representatives, visited Germany to investigate cold-tolerant and disease-resistant wine grape varieties that are not currently available in the U.S. Twenty wines produced from these varieties were shipped back to Michigan for evaluation by a broader group of Michigan winemakers.
We invite you to attend one of these tasting sessions to assist in the evaluation of these wines. Due to the limited amount of wine available, each session is limited to 25 tasters. Please contact Sherri Goodreau at goodreaus@michigan.gov or 517-284-5733 to reserve your spot on a first-come, first-served basis. Tech sheets with information about the grapes and the wines will be provided at the tasting. The wines will be discussed (led by one of the winemakers who were on the trip) with the goal of evaluating the suitability of each of these varieties for Michigan’s industry.
It is a long (7 years) process to bring these varieties through the quarantine system (Foundation Plant Services/ Clean Plant Network). Continued discussions are planned for early 2016 that will focus around WHO, WHAT, WHEN, AND HOW the industry might wish to proceed with this investigation. The same wines will be sampled at the two tasting events. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Jones, jonesl9@michigan.gov; Paolo Sabbatini, sabbatin@msu.edu; or Mark Johnson, mjohnson@chateauchantal.com.
Advances in insecticide chemistry have in recent years made possible the control of the root Phylloxera in grapevines with spirotetramat. This has opened up the potential of growing own-rooted vinifera here in Michigan. MSU AgBioResearch has been researching this possibility over the past few years at research stations and with grower collaborators.
Please join Dr. Tom Zabadal for a discussion of the merits and risks of own-rooted vinifera at a meeting for commercial wine grape growers on Tuesday, November 24. There will be demonstration of collecting, storing, and using hardwood cuttings. We'll also be discussing layering, creating own-rooted vines in the nursery, retraining winter-injured vines and other relevant and practical topics.
Tuesday, November 24
9 am to 12 noon, Southwest Michigan Horticulture and Extension Center
1791 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
There’s growing debate in Washington, D.C., about the music-licensing system. Congress is considering updating copyright laws, including those that cover music, and the Justice Department is reviewing the so-called "consent decrees" aimed at preventing ASCAP and BMI from acting in an anti-competitive manner. WineAmerica is asking the wine industry to tell us about their experiences with music licensing so that we may develop a consensus-based position to advocate for in Washington, DC. Survey closes Dec. 1.
Go to Survey
Questions? Contact Tara Good, Director of Operations, WineAmerica at tgood@wineamerica.org.
Guidelines on how handle music licensing for wineries is available to WineAmerica members.
In addition to the NAP and Tap programs mentioned in the October E-newsletter, USDA recently announced the designation of 31 counties in Michigan as Primary Natural Disaster Areas due to unusual weather conditions in 2015. Low-interest loans may be available through this program.
Read press release
Please contact your local FSA Office to be sure to submit your applications in a timely manner.
 This study, conducted in 2014-2015 and funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, considered the design, development and implementation of a sustainability certification program for Michigan wineries and vineyards. The consulting firm, 5 Lakes Energy, led the project. The final report with recommendations is available at www.5lakesenergy.com/mi-sustainable-wines.
Phase II of the project, to create a website with resources and conduct one-on-one visits with wineries regarding opportunities for enhancements around water and energy use, will be conducted in 2015-2016. This work is also being funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA. For more information, contact Liesl Clark at 5 Lakes Energy - lclark@5lakesenergy.com or 517-243-2860.
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Reports on Council-funded research projects from 2014 are available online at www.michiganwines.com/2014-research-reports. Click on each project title to reach the complete report.
An example of one of the reports:
Biology and Management of Invasive Insect Pests in Michigan Vineyards
Rufus Isaacs,Keith Mason, Steven Van Timmeren, Nikki Rothwell
Abstract: At twenty vineyards across Michigan, pheromone traps were used to monitor for European grapevine moth, light brown apple moth and the summer fruit tortrix, and none of these moths were detected. SWD and African fig fruit fly were monitored with baited traps. Spotted wing drosophila was found in traps at all vineyards and detections were earlier in the southern portion of the state. The highest levels of SWD populations in all regions occurred during grape harvest. No fig fruit flies were detected in our traps in 2014 and no brown marmorated stink bugs were found at any of the twenty focal vineyards. Our data suggest that early ripening red varieties may be the most susceptible to SWD infestation, but infestation by other vinegar flies (Drosophila species) did not show any trends among grape varieties. There was a significant positive relationship between the number of fruit flies that emerged and the severity of sour rot.
Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Vernita F. Dore highlighted the importance of rural entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy and announced that USDA is investing nearly $34 million to help 258 businesses nationwide. The funding comes from USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant program.
"This funding will enable farmers and ranchers to develop new products, improve the bottom line for their operations and help create a robust local and regional food system," Dore said. "Value-Added Producer Grants provide capital to enable ag producers to grow their business through diversification. USDA's support is especially important for beginning farmers and smaller farm operations."
Value-Added Producer Grants can be used to develop new agricultural products or additional markets for existing ones. Military veterans, socially-disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers, operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches, and farmer and rancher cooperatives are given priority when applying for these grants.
Michigan has eight recipients with a total of $851,030 in grants: Campbell Milarch LLC, $19,300; RMG Maple Products, Inc., $11,500; Leelanau Fruit Company, $5,015; Indian Summer Cooperative, Inc., $250,000; Gallagher's Vineyard and Winery Corp., $250,000; Brengman Brothers LLC, $250,000; Swallowtail Farm, LLC, $50,215; Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition Cooperative, $15,000.
View the full list of award recipients
The Great Lakes Leadership Academy is accepting applications for the 2016 Emerging Leader Program and the 2016-17 Leadership Advancement Program.
Great Lakes Leadership Academy brings together current and emerging leaders in government, non-profits, and industry to broaden perspectives about key sustainability issues and consider how leadership for the common good can influence Michigan's future.
As a GLLA participant you will invest in a transformational personal growth experience while learning practical leadership and decision making tools. The curriculum is designed to provide intense, hands-on experiences and develop dynamic networks to promote positive action on issues facing Michigan and the Great Lakes region. For more details visit http://www.glla.msu.edu/
 News You Can Use
When considering choice of yeast, there are many options that winemakers can choose from. One must consider not only the variety of grape, but also the desired wine style, growing conditions in the vineyard, and winemaking conditions in the cellar. Research being done as part of the Northern Grapes Project is looking at how different yeast strains can reduce acidity, as well as enhance desirable flavors and aromas, resulting in recommendations for matching yeast and cultivar.
This issue of News You Can Use contains links to two newsletter articles and one webinar that contain information about the yeast selection research being conducted as part of the Northern Grapes Project, as well as some background information about yeast and yeast selection.
2015-2015 Northern Grapes Project Webinar Series Schedule
December 8, 2015
The Big Chill: Cold Acclimation and Recovery from Spring Frost in Grapes in New York
Jason Londo, USDA-ARS, Grape Genetics Research Unit and Tim Martinson, Cornell University
January 12, 2016
Terroir and Typicity in Cold-Hardy Grapes
Anna Katharine Mansfield, Cornell University
February 9, 2016
Branding and Best Management Practices for Cold Hardy Wines and Wineries
Bill Gartner, University of Minnesota and Dan McCole, Michigan State University
March 8, 2016
Cold-Hardy Grape Breeding at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University
Matt Clark, University of Minnesota and Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, North Dakota State University
April 12, 2016
Northern Grapes Project Research Results: Fungicide Sensitivity and Vine Nutrition of Cold-Hardy Cultivars
Patricia McManus, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Carl Rosen, University of Minnesota
May 10, 2016
From Vine to Glass: Understanding the Flavors and Aromas of Cold-Hardy Grapes and Wine
Anne Fennell, South Dakota State University; Adrian Hegeman University of Minnesota; and Somchai Rice, Iowa State University
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Direct to Consumer wine sales continue to outpace the rate of growth on other channels of distribution. A recent report from Shipcompliant and Wines and Vines provides valuable insights into this important market segment. Two sessions at the February Michigan Grape and Wine Conference in Kalamazoo will provide industry members with additional valuable information to capitalize on Direct to Consumer sales opportunities: Direct Shipping Update (with speaker from ShipCompliant) and Wine Clubs with Craig Root.
Click the graphic below for some pre holiday season tips from ShipCompliant.
... Black Star Farms for receiving an Elite Gold award at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge for 2013 Arcturos Dry Riesling.
Note: All gold medal and higher awards are entered on each winery page at www.michiganwines.com
Michigan wineries take advantage of regulatory change that gives tipplers chance to linger longer over wine (Crain's Detroit)
'Backyard' winery helps push Michigan's industry (Grand Rapids Business Journal)
Anheuser Busch takes majority stake in Michigan's Virtue Cider (brewhound.com)
Winter Cooking Tips from Brys Estate (MyNorth)
Restaurant Wine Lists Should 'Go Local' (Vineyard & Winery Management)
Michigan's Wine Industry, Uncorked (WCBN-FM)
Mother Nature batters Northwest Michigan wine grapes (Fruit Growers News)
Glass half empty: Harsh winters hit MI wineries (WOOD-TV)
Michigan red wines get some love at wine competition (Michigan Radio)
O'Keefe pours wine - in quantity (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
A Crown of Cab Vertical (Gang of Pour)
Ranked: The 7 Best Wine Regions in America for Seeing Fall Colors (VinePair)
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