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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-Newsletters. Feedback and suggested content is always welcome. Contact Karel Bush at 517-284-5742 or bushk9@michigan.gov.
 Entry deadline is today by midnight!
Wines must be received by Friday, June 30
Judging: July 18
Gold Medal Reception: July 27
Entries are coming in for the 2017 Michigan Wine Competition; each year, the staff looks forward to receiving the amazing variety of wines produced by the skilled winemakers in the state.
If you haven't sent your entry form yet - there's still time! The deadline to receive entries is midnight today, June 22. Visit www.michiganwines.com/competition for entry materials.
The Gold Medal Reception - a celebration of the outstanding wines of Michigan - is July 27. Wineries that enter the competition receive complimentary tickets to the Reception. Invitations will be mailed in early July.
Lodging rooms at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center often sell out for the night of the Reception, so please reserve early to avoid disappointment. Reservations may be made online (click on "check here for special rates" and enter Group Code 1707GOLDRO) or by phone at 800-875-5090 (reference Gold Medal Reception). Discounted room rates starting at $113 are guaranteed until June 27 or until rooms are sold out.
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Proposals due August 1, 2017, 5:00 pm
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council (MGWIC) is hereby issuing a call for proposals for projects to commence January 1, 2018.
Due to a decrease in MGWIC funding, we anticipate a lower amount will be allocated to research than previous years. The Viticulture and Enology Research and Education Committee's anticipated budget for 2018 awards is $75,000. Priority will be given to continuing projects from FY17, which is expected to equal more than $100,000.
Proposals related to the Council's overarching mission or promotion objectives will be directed to the full Council or the Promotion Committee, depending on the subject area. Funding for these projects will come from either the Council's discretionary general funds or the Promotion Committee budget, as determined by the Council.
Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, to Sherri Goodreau at goodreaus@michigan.gov. Funding decisions will be communicated starting in November.
Potential applicants for these research grants are welcome to contact Karel Bush, bushk9@michigan.gov, or Gordon Wenk, wenkg@michigan.gov, with any questions about the Council's funding of research projects.
Proposal Guidelines Template FY18
Research Priorities
 Deadline for applications is July 15, 2017
The Michigan Restaurant Association has partnered with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Michigan Ag Council to raise awareness of the economic impact of restaurants using Michigan manufactured products, including beverages. This is a group partnership that will be working together to recognize restaurants with the 2017 Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT Restaurant Award.
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We have enhanced winery listings on the Council's website by adding the availability of these additional beverage alcohol products: hard cider, beer, fruit wine and spirits. The items have also been added to the search criteria for the "Plan Your Wine Tour" interactive trip guide so travelers can identify all products available at your location.
Wineries - please check your listing and let Jenelle know if something needs to be changed - jagminj@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council is investing in a comprehensive Economic Impact Study to be conducted summer 2017. The information gathered from this study is invaluable to the industry and can be used by wineries and wine trails for marketing, grant writing, media, legislative, and regional policy initiatives. It has been 12 years since our last study, and the industry has changed considerably since then.
For the study to be of value, YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VITAL. We know that you receive a lot of surveys and it can be overwhelming, but we ask that you please make extra effort to take part in this one. Guerrilla Economics is leading this study, and Karel and Jenelle will work closely with them to encourage winery participation.
Please note: This study is different from the NASS Grape Acreage Survey that was recently conducted by USDA. The NASS study is also very important and will feed into the report on our overall Economic Impact Study.
Contact Jenelle at 517-284-5790, jagminj@michigan.gov with any questions regarding the study. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Lacey Ritter resume
Lacey has been working in the viticulture industry in Arizona for a few years. She recently moved to Michigan and would like to continue to work in a vineyard.
In May alone, MLCC processed more than 800 Special License requests!
If you're planning an event that requires a Special License from
the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, be sure to plan ahead and submit your
license application at
least 10 business days, and preferably 30 days or more prior to the event.
What would happen to the success of your event if you weren't able to serve alcohol? If it's critical for success, then put this at the top of your Event To-Do List!
Press release from MLCC
Detailed information about applying for Special Licenses,
including application, instructions and checklist
To be listed in Michigan Wine Country magazine and michiganwines.com, wineries must meet criteria set by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, and submit a request that is reviewed by the Council at a regularly scheduled meeting.
When a winery changes ownership, the winery must submit a new request for approval under the new ownership.
Several times over the years, we have removed winery listings from our promotional materials. Some reasons for removal include: business closes; no sales reported to the MLCC for two years or more; the winery no longer meets the criteria for inclusion and does not anticipate meeting it in the future.
Contact Karel Bush, bushk9@michigan.gov, 517-284-5742, with questions.
The Council has partnered with Michigan State University Extension to produce videos, in a webinar format, that will help growers implement research projects funded by the Council. Videos are currently available for projects funded in 2015.
The videos and PDFs of the final reports can be accessed at michiganwines.com. Topics include: IPM; own-rooted Vinifera vines; invasive insect pests; modernization of Enviroweather stations; leaf removal; and Grapevine Leaf Roll Virus.
Organized by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Sustainability Conference (MISCON) is designed to promote meaningful engagement with business professionals in discussion surrounding the topic of sustainability. By addressing the triple bottom line -- people, planet, and profit -- your organization can achieve cost savings and improve your brand image. MISCON will help forward-thinking business professionals to develop and strengthen the in-house sustainability tools and communication strategies needed to engage your community and stakeholders.
The treatment of wine differs extensively across the states, and at higher rates than beer because of greater alcohol content. See where Michigan lies on the wine tax spectrum. Hint - we're pretty low compared to most states.
 MSU Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor
There will be workshops and discussion in the field on: bugs and diseases, trellising, rootstocks and the influence of crop level on wine quality. They will have equipment demonstrations in the vineyard, including an update on the present status of vineyard drone technology. At the end of the day is the Wine Showcase of some of the area's best and a steak cookout.
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 Near real-time weather data in graphical format allows users to visualize weather over time
Michigan State University’s Enviroweather has a new application that will help users understand changes in local weather conditions. Graphical displays called "Meteograms" are now available for all stations. They show graphs of individual weather variables (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc.) at 5-minute intervals as recorded by Enviroweather stations.
See the new meteograms
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... Brys Estate Winery, for receiving Platinum and Best Riesling Awards for 2016 Dry Riesling at Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
Michigan-Grown Vines Take Root at Commercial Venture (Traverse City Business News)
New from Left Foot Charley (Gang of Pour)
SW Michigan wine festival to feature drinks, beach views (abc7 Chicago)
#PascuaPitStop: Mari Vineyards in Traverse City (wzzm13)
12 Restaurants Worth the Drive from Chicago (Eater Chicago)
The Surprising Rise of Michigan Wine (grapecollective.com)
Chateau Chantal launches summer lunch menu (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
How Soil Shapes the Flavor of Michigan Wines (Hour Detroit)
Yes Way Rose (Lakes and Grapes)
The 7 Best Wine Trails in Michigan! (BestThingsMI.com)
Anderson Valley Wineries Promote Alsatian Varietals in Festival (Wine Business Monthly)
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