News for the Michigan Wine Industry - August 2018

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August 2018

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.

In this Issue:

Michigan Wine Competition Results Announced!

Michigan Wine Competition logo

Thank you to all the wineries that support this competition by entering your wines. And congratulations to all the wineries who won awards!

Twenty-nine wine experts from around the country gathered July 31 in East Lansing for the 41st annual Michigan Wine Competition. Fifty-five of the state's 145 wineries entered 413 wines into the Competition, which is open only to wine produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit.

This was the first year wineries vied for a trophy in a category specifically for Ice Wine -- the first and only Ice Wine trophy in the United States. Michigan's climate and growing conditions are ideal for producing Ice Wine, which is made with grapes left on the vine until the temperature dips enough to freeze the grapes nearly -- but not completely -- solid. The grapes must be harvested and crushed while frozen, yielding a decadent nectar that when fermented becomes the coveted Ice Wine.

International Symposium on New Cultivars for Disease Resistance and Increased Sustainability

August 29, Leelanau County Government Center, Suttons Bay

Growing healthy grapes for producing quality wine requires a lot of spraying in the vineyards, and the use of large quantities of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc. Much effort has been done by the industry to develop more environmentally friendly practices for sustainable viticulture. One of the most recent developments in this field is the use of new disease-resistant grape varieties -- vines selected to resist fungi and to produce quality wines. Across Europe, pioneering wine producers are leading the way and testing these new breeds of super-grape vines and producing wine from them. Some of those varieties and their performance are the focus of this symposium.

Council approves producers of Michigan wine

At their August meeting, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council recognized two wineries as "producers of Michigan wine," bringing the total to 147 approved wineries throughout the state. These wineries are now eligible to participate in Council-sponsored promotion, including the Michigan Wine Country magazine and www.michiganwines.com:

Pleasant Valley Farm and Vineyard, Norton Shores
Great Mead Hall & Brewing Co., Bangor

Free drone workshops for grape growers

September 13-14, Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center Traverse City

MSU will be conducting a series of free drone workshops over the next two years for growers across the state. Through these workshops, growers will develop an understanding of drone-based data collection and analysis with specific application to their commodity groups.

VESTA Fall Semester Registration Deadline August 17

VESTA logo

Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance's(VESTA's) online program offers individuals the opportunity to advance their technical knowledge of the grape and wine industry through a complete program of courses in viticulture, enology and wine business and entrepreneurship.

View the Course Catalog and Register Today

Michigan's first ever winemaker apprentices graduate

Michigan’s first ever winemaker apprentices were recognized at a special graduation ceremony at St. Ambrose Cellars in Benzie County. Scott Cramton and Nathan Ely completed a registered apprenticeship program and earned a nationally recognized credential indicating their proficiency in the winemaking industry. Cramton and Ely spent two years in work-based learning and technical education related to winemaking. St. Ambrose Cellars worked with Northwest Michigan Works! to establish the registered apprenticeship program for winemakers.

Mark your calendar for these important industry conferences

Making It In Michigan Conference and Marketplace Trade Show
November 8
Lansing Center, Lansing

Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show
January 15-16, 2019
Grand Traverse Resort, Acme
Expanded to two days this year to include valuable enology presentations and tastings

Hats Off to ...

... Charlie Edson, with Bel Lago Winery for recognition by Wine Enthusiast as one of four producers redefining American wine

... Mackinaw Trail Winery for receiving a Double Gold in the Mid-American Wine Competition for Raspberry Fizz

... St. Julian Winery for receiving Indy International's "White Wine of the Year" award for their 2017 Mountain Road Riesling

... St. Julian Winery for receiving a $125,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Fund Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

... Brys Estate for receiving the Best in Show White Wine award at the Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition for their 2017 Gewurztraminer Reserve

... Trattoria Stella for recognition by Wine Enthusiast as one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants

... Michigan wineries receiving high awards at the Indy International Wine Competition: Best of Class for St. Julian 2017 Braganini Reserve Gruner Veltliner, 2017 Mountain Road Riesling and Sweet Nancie Peach, and Double Gold for Sweet Nancie and 2015 Braganini Reserve Chancellor; Double Gold for Bonobo Winery 2017 Pinot Gris, Cody Kresta 2017 Vidal Blanc, and French Valley Vineyards Cherry Wine and 2012 Pinot Grigio

Media Clips

Michigan winery produces canned wines (Grand Rapids magazine)

Compare Michigan wine, cider production among state wineries, brewers (mlive)

Summer wine tastings (Indy Style)

Behind the Scenes at the Michigan Wine Competition (MBTB Radio)

Best of West Michigan 2018: Winery (WWMT)

Bill to support growth of Michigan wine industry moves to State Senate (9&10 News)

Detroit Vineyards turns open space into stunning winery with urban backdrop (Click-on Detroit)

Drinking through all 50 states (Wine Enthusiast)

Explore Michigan's diverse wine scene, one of the country's most exciting developing regions (Chicago Tribune)

Take 5 with Lemon Creek Winery (South Bend Tribune)

Boskydel Tribute Preview (MBTB Radio)

Wineries worry state support will be watered down (Detroit News)

First two graduates of winemaking apprenticeship in Michigan (9&10 News)

Wine's Higher Education (Wine Spectator)

2016 Mari Vineyards Gruner Veltliner (Palate Press)

Tax reform means breaks for wine industry - for a few, and for a while at least (Northern Express)