... all the members of the Michigan wine industry for struggling through a challenging vintage with optimism and a commitment to excellence that is raising Michigan's reputation as a wine region on the national wine media radar!
November 6, 12:30-4:00pm, Sandhill Crane Vineyards, Jackson
Contact Sherri Goodreau for a copy of the tentative agenda, 517-284-5733 or goodreaus@michigan.gov.
The schedule of Council meetings and approved minutes of meetings are available at www.michiganwines.com/council-business.
 March 4–6 2015
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing
The complete conference program will be posted in early November. In store is the largest trade show yet, a pre-conference for winery start-ups, hard cider and fruit wine production, winery sustainability discussion, disaster assistance information, social media, media relations and more! Sponsor/exhibitor and hotel reservation information is now available at www.michiganwines.com/conference.
|
 Work is underway to publish the 2015 edition of Michigan Wine Country magazine. HOUR Custom Publishing will be communicating regarding your opportunities for advertising space. Contact Andy Walters, awalters@hour-media.com, 248-691-1800, ext. 104, if you wish to make inquiries about advertising.
Information for listings and the "What's New" article will be collected by HOUR Custom Publishing. Please be sure to return the annual "Request for Information" form that will be sent to wineries later this fall.
Running low on the 2014 edition? Contact Sherri Goodreau at goodreaus@michigan.gov to order copies for distribution. If you run out before the 2015 edition is available in April, please let your visitors know there is an electronic version available online at www.michiganwines.com/wine-country-magazine.
|
Check your listing at www.michiganwines.com to be sure that no important information has changed. We can post more photos and video about your winery if you send the materials to us. Contact Karel Bush at bushk9@michigan.gov.
The West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) is looking for a CEO to lead this dynamic destination marketing organization. WMTA is a membership-based, non-profit organization. They have a staff of seven well-qualified professionals and a membership of over 700 throughout West Michigan. For full job description, please visit WMTA.org/ceosearch.
Resumés will be collected through November 7, 2014 with start date January 12th, 2015. Please submit resumé via email to CEOsearch@wmta.org.
USDA announced recently that the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council was one of 26 Michigan recipients of a Specialty Crop Block Grant. The grant will enable the Council to work with the wine industry to consider the design, development and implementation of a sustainability certification program for Michigan wineries and vineyards. Starting with a "best practices" review of sustainability programs in other wine-producing regions, the consulting firm, 5 Lakes Energy, will lead the project starting in November 2014 and submit their final report with recommendations in summer 2015.
A list of all Michigan recipients is found at michigan.gov.
More information about this project will be presented at the Michigan Grape and Wine Conference in March. Watch for more details.
Contact your local USDA FSA office to find out about upcoming deadlines to register for programs to reduce risks.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the Act), also known as the 2014 Farm Bill, was signed by President Obama on Feb. 7, 2014. The Act repeals certain programs, continues some programs with modifications, and authorizes several new programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Most of these programs are authorized and funded through 2018.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
NAP has been expanded to include buy-up protection, similar to buy-up provisions offered under the federal crop insurance program. Producers may elect coverage for each individual crop between 50 and 65 percent, in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Producers also pay a fixed premium equal to 5.25 percent of the liability.
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.
Information about these programs will be presented at the Michigan Grape and Wine Conference in March. Watch for more details.
SAVE THE DATE!
Monday, April 20, 2015 at the RattleSnake Club in Detroit
Details to follow in the New Year.
West Michigan Tourist Association
 How would you like to have your events broadcast on TV, your information to reach 45,000+ potential customers, and find a way to talk to a wider range of people through Social Media? West Michigan Tourist Association does all of this and MORE! As your strategic marketing partner, WMTA is here for you, all for less than $18 per month.
Our travelers want to experience the outstanding wineries in beautiful West Michigan. Help WMTA bring them to YOU! From the Indiana border to the Mackinaw Bridge, WMTA is all things West Michigan! Contact Kristin Boogaard for details and to join today Kristin@wmta.org, 616-328-4646.
|
Michigan Festivals & Events Association
 There is a growing future ahead for Michigan Wineries. Michigan Festivals & Events Association (MFEA) would like to assist with this growth and promotion through membership. Join MFEA as a destination for a low cost of $125 to have your winery listed on the michiganfun.com website, averaging 1 million hits per month.
Winery Events: After your MFEA Destination membership, include your event(s) on the website and in the 2015 "Pure Michigan Festivals, Fairs, Events" brochure (distributed throughout Michigan and across the country) for an additional membership cost of $100 per event.
Contact MFEA at membership@mfea.org or 989-845-2080 for more information and opportunities.
|
Full time cellar position.
Contact Brian Hosmer at bhosmer@chateauchantal.com.
 Located within the Leelanau Peninsula AVA in Michigan, Willow Vineyard is a well-established and respected winery that is the perfect size for newcomers or those looking to expand to the region. It's located in one of the most desirable locations on the peninsula with a fantastic view of Grand Traverse Bay. Willow Vineyard is a boutique-size winery and vineyard complete with mature vines, wine production facility, tasting room, barrel cellar and owner's private residence. Estate vines include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Contact Shelly Brunette, 231-642-6436, shelly@shellysells.com.
|
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council endorses this conference and wineries recognized as "producers of Michigan wine" by the Council are eligible to receive a 10% discount on registration, using promotion code MGWC15. Details at http://easternwineryexposition.com/
Public Act 235 of 2013 amends Section 1021 of the Liquor Control Code of 1998 to authorize on-premise licensees to allow individuals to bring wine into a licensed establishment for consumption that was not purchased by the licensee. The law took effect on March 1, 2014. Restaurants are not required to offer this service and may charge a corkage fee and set restrictions, in accordance with their own policies. More information
Effective October 1, 2014, the One Stop portal is no longer available for businesses to submit Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) license/renewal applications. MDARD customers should use www.michigan.gov/mdard-licensing to locate information and application forms. MDARD's Customer Service Center and Central Licensing Unit will continue to provide assistance to licensees. They can be reached at 800-292-3939.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced that David West has been named Vice President of Travel Michigan. West, a Michigan native, will be responsible for heading up the state’s tourism branding, advertising and public relations efforts and overseeing the award-winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign. Currently serving as Vice President of Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau, West's duties as Vice President of Travel Michigan will take effect December 1, 2014.
Food facilities (including wineries, breweries and distilleries) required to register with FDA must renew their food facility registrations this year during the period beginning on October 1, 2014 and ending on December 31, 2014. FDA encourages food facilities to renew their registrations early on in the three-month renewal period. More information available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm416121.htm.
Impact of 2014 Winter Weather on Michigan’s grape crop
Stories prompted by Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council media release sent to nearly 3,500 media contacts:
Harsh winter, cool summer deals deadly blow to grape crop (Fox 17 TV)
No 'cheers': Harsh winter hits Michigan wine grape crop (Detroit Free Press)
Harsh winter halved state wine grape crop (Lansing State Journal)
Half of Michigan's 2014 wine grapes lost to frigid winter, cold summer (Kalamazoo Gazette)
Michigan Vintage Report: Vintners Prepare for a Short Crop (winebusiness.com)
Midwest Prepares for Reduced Grape Harvest (Midwest Wine Press)
Michigan vintners prepare for short crop (Macomb Daily)
Michigan’s wine grape crop will be half the size of 2013 (Fruit Growers News)
Michigan's wine grapes will survive another rough winter, experts say (Michigan Radio)
More Media Clips:
Gems in My Glass - Michigan featured in Sept/Oct (ellenonwine.com)
Great Rieslings are Made in America Too (zesterdaily.com)
Ours and Theirs: Lake Michigan Shore (Hour Detroit)
Robinette's featured among "Flavors of Pure Michigan" (WZZM TV)
Tony Ciccone "Winemaking is in My DNA" (Midwest Wine Press)
From the vine to home: Making the most of Michigan's grape harvest (Macomb Daily)
Statewide Partnership brings Conservation Milestone (MDARD media release)
Northern Sun Winery (WJR - Travel Michigan Radio Show)
Bryan Ulbrich: Putting His Left Foot Forward (intoxreport.com)
Surprising Michigan Sauvignon Blanc (Midwest Wine Press)
Inside the Scatterbrain of Sean O'Keefe (intoxreport.com)
Bel Lago, spectacular views, diverse wines (Glen Arbor Sun)
Fraser man earns reknown as part of Michigan's growing wine industry (Macomb Daily)
Chase Bank ad featuring Chateau Grand Traverse
Is there medicinal value in discarded fruit parts? (Ketting University)
U.S. Food Consumption at an All-time High (Food Manufacturing)
Visit www.michiganwines.com/news to view media releases relevant to the Michigan wine industry.
| 
