Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Chair Gordon Wenk, Council members
and staff wish you the very best
for the Holiday Season and
Best Wishes for 2015!
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The Michigan wine industry lost one of the founders of the modern era of winemaking in the state, Leonard Olson, on December 2. Len opened Tabor Hill Winery in the 1970s, left Michigan to pursue other interests in the 1980s and returned to the state recently to start a new winery called Baroda Founders Wine Cellar. Len was an important pioneer of the Michigan wine industry in the southwest region of the state. He brought knowledge and experience in the beverage industry from around the world to contribute to the evolution of the Michigan wine industry over a 45-year span.
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Deadline to be considered for "What's New" article is Friday, December 19 - that's tomorrow!
If you expanded your winery, hired a new winemaker, planted new vines or did anything else new and exciting in 2014, please drop a line to Cortney Casey (cort@michiganbythebottle.com) so she can consider it for the annual roundup of "What's New" in the Michigan wine world.
Dec. 19 is also the deadline for wineries to confirm their listing information. Contact Dorothy Hernandez, with HOUR Media, dhernandez@hour-media.com.
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Work is underway on a research project to consider the design, development and implementation of a sustainability certification program for Michigan wineries and vineyards. The consulting firm, 5 Lakes Energy, is leading the project and will submit their final report with recommendations in summer 2015.
An industry survey is an important component of this research. Wineries, growers and allied partners are invited to contribute their information and perspective to shape the direction of the project via an online survey that should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Click here to begin the survey
Energy Audit Webinar
5 Lakes Energy published the recent Energy Audit and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Webinar on their website: http://5lakesenergy.com/mi-sustainable-wines-energy-audit-webinar/
Please contact Cam Brown at 5 Lakes Energy - cbrown@5lakesenergy.com or 231-631-1935 for more information.
 March 4-6, 2015
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing
Discount for early registration ends February 13. Register at www.michiganwines.com/conference.
The planning partners -- Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and Michigan State University, along with industry representatives -- have developed an exciting program of activities to suit a wide range of interests from the industry. Sponsors and exhibitors are rapidly confirming their commitments to the conference; the list will be updated periodically on the conference website over the next three months.
Several dynamic speakers in the educational sessions will present on Media Relations, Social Media, Hard Cider, Fruit Wine Production and Viticulture topics. We are pleased that Dr. Stan Howell will be the Banquet Speaker this year. Staff from Travel Michigan will be on hand during the day on March 5 to assist wineries in reviewing your free winery listing on michigan.org. Liquor Control Commission staff will also be available throughout the conference to answer your questions.
Representatives of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development International Marketing Program, Environmental Stewardship Division and Food and Dairy Division will also be in attendance.
Reserve your hotel room early to be sure of obtaining a room in the conference block, which is guaranteed only until January 31.
Early in 2015, information about wines for social events at the conference will be posted to the website and distributed to those already registered.
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Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Dinner and Keynote Speaker Sponsor:
Reserve Sponsor:
Reserve Sponsor:
Vintage Sponsor:
Vintage Sponsor:
If you have an interest in viticulture, enology or wine business, check out the online education program at vesta-usa.org.
 This seminar offered by the International Marketing Program at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Food Export Midwest is for companies that are new to exporting, or those who may be considering exporting in the future. The featured speaker is Dennis Lynch who has over 30 years experience in the export market. Dennis is a dynamic speaker who will present on market trends, export growth and pricing. There will also be a company panel featuring McClure's Pickles and Safie's Specialty Products who will share their experience in international sales.
Additional information and registration
If you have any questions please contact Hannah Bollinger at bollingerh@michigan.gov or 517-284-5737. Informational flyer
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The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) sponsors annual collaboration awards for the tourism industry. The nomination deadline for the 2015 Awards is February 6, 2015. Information on past recipients and application details can be found at
http://tourismworksformichigan.org/collaboration_awards.html
Winery and wine trail-related tourism collaborations are ideal candidates for these awards. A group can nominate themselves. If you would like to discuss your ideas for a suitable nomination prior to completing the application package, please contact Linda Jones, 517-284-5741 or jonesl9@michigan.gov by mid-January.
The Annual Workplan of the Council is available online at www.michiganwines.com/council-business.
The report "Industry Needs for Support from Academic Institutions" was recently approved by the Council following discussion with the Promotion and Research committees and is available at www.michiganwines.com/docs/Industry/industry-needs-report2014.pdf.
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WineAmerica is a membership-based national organization that encourages the dynamic growth and development of American wineries and winegrowing through the advancement and advocacy of sound public policy. The organization recently redesigned its website for greater access to information for members: www.wineamerica.org.
WineAmerica is constantly working to protect and promote the prosperity of America’s diverse wine industry in Washington DC and through grassroots engagement with members of the wine industry across the country. Membership dues are assessed on a sliding scale according to winery production. Member benefits include assistance with label approval and access to supplier discounts and benefits.
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council encourages all Michigan wineries to join this organization that provides advocacy for the wine industry on the federal level and many additional benefits.
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March 19–21, 2015
The Good Food Festival and Conference will be held in Chicago with a trade show component March 20 (trade) and March 21 (consumer). This looks to be an excellent venue to attract wine tourists to the Michigan wine region and develop trade contacts at an affordable cost. Booths can be shared. More information at www.goodfoodfestivals.com.
Exhibitor Information - Contact Kristin McCracken kristin@familyfarmed.org
 Chris Kassel -- iconoclastic wine writer and founder of the popular website Intoxicology Report -- has published 'Heart and Soil', a collection of interviews, profiles and vignettes from the twin appellations of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula in Northern Michigan's fascinating wine country.
The book is available through amazon.com and Kindle. Multiple copies (5 or more) available at a discount - contact Chris at chriskassel1@aol.com or 248-788-3142.
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Entry Deadline January 30, 2015
The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (formerly The Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition) will be led by Rebecca Murphy, founder and producer of TEXSOM. The production staff, long-time volunteers, and judges remain committed and involved in continuing to grow the recognition and the influence of the Awards. More information is available at http://www.dallaswinecomp.com/
At the November 6 Council meeting, three businesses were approved by the Council for promotional listings in Council materials – 3 North Vines in Croswell, Meckley’s Cidery in Somerset Center, and Blake’s Hard Cider Co. in Armada.
Cold Climate Conference
February 5-7, Minneapolis, MN
The Minnesota Grape Growers Association, the organization that manages this important conference in the Midwest, is offering a $50 discount on registration to members of neighboring wine producing states. Contact Sherri Goodreau to obtain a discount code - goodreaus@michigan.gov, 517-284-5733. Register online at www.mngrapes.org.
Eastern Winery Exposition
March 17-19, Syracuse, NY
The Eastern Winery Exposition is offering a discount to Michigan industry members. Register online at http://easternwineryexposition.com. The discount code for Michigan is MGWC15.
Midwest Grape & Wine + Craft Brew Conference & Trade Show
March 10-12, St. Charles, MO
A 20% discount to this conference is available to members of the Michigan wine industry. Register at www.midwestgrape.com and enter MIWA as the discount code at checkout.
International Cool Climate Wine Symposium
May 26-28, 2016, Brighton, England
Held roughly every four years, the ICCWS is the major international forum focusing on fine wine production in cool climate regions across the world. Early Bird Tickets are now on sale for the 9th Symposium, offering delegates a saving of £100 off the price of a three-day ticket, normally costing £600 exc VAT. This offer will run until the end of 2014.
The packed program of seminars, masterclass workshops and tastings will be a must for all those involved in cool climate viticulture, winemaking and marketing. Topics covered will include the latest research on climate variability; sparkling and still wine production; the latest technologies for assisting in cool climate wine production; emerging cool climate regions; and new markets and consumers. More info at www.iccws2016.com.
See the Council’s Events calendar for a complete list of in-state and out-of-state winter meetings.
... Jefferson Cup Winners St. Julian Winery (2013 Reserve Riesling, 2013 Braganini Reserve Pinot Noir and Solera Cream Sherry) and Shady Lane Cellars (2013 Estate Dry Riesling, 2013 Estate Semi-Dry Riesling). And to Jefferson Cup Nominees Bowers Harbor Vineyards (2013 Medium Sweet Riesling) and St. Julian Winery (2013 Reserve Late Harvest Riesling). Complete results at www.thejeffersoncup.com.
... Shannon and Cortney Casey on the opening of their second Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room, in Royal Oak - www.mbtbtasting.com.
... Black Star Farms, MAWBY and Good Harbor Vineyards on the opening of a joint tasting room in Ann Arbor.
Steady growth in the number of wineries means bountiful supply of Michigan wines for the holiday season (mlive.com)
Old Mission's Next Winery Lands A Neighbor (The Ticker)
Cortney Casey from Michigan By The Bottle talks Michigan Ice Wine on 'Stateside' (44:20 on Michigan Radio)
4 New Wine Regions to Watch (Travel & Leisure)
Visit www.michiganwines.com/news to view media releases relevant to the Michigan wine industry.
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