There's always one particular association that drives the advancement of a wine region. This is where the Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) shines! "MWC’s mission it to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations. We focus on bringing Michigan wines to the global wine stage and creating a more inclusive wine industry." The Collaborative is a non-profit organization which serves the Michigan wine industry and its consumers. MWC is a member-run organization comprised of winemakers, grape growers, suppliers/vendors, educators, industry affiliates, researchers/educators, consumers, and more. Their main mission is to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry. The immediate goal is to bring exposure to the industry and make Michigan wines more understood and accessible for wine lovers. Follow hashtag #winestudio 9-10pm ET 5 February - An introduction to Michigan Wine Michigan Wine Collaborative Director Emily Dockery St. Julian Winery Lake Michigan Shore AVA Winemaker: Nancie Oxley @stjulianwinery 12 February St. Julian Winery Lake Michigan Shore AVA Winemaker: Nancie Oxley @stjulianwinery As Michigan’s oldest winery, St. Julian Winery truly reflects the soul of Michigan. For nearly 100 years they have focused on achieving the highest quality and consistency in their products. Through the years they have cultivated land in the state’s most premium appellation — Lake Michigan Shore, which has lead to their unrelenting commitment to using local fruit and resources to craft their exceptional products. Their dedication to creating the finest quality from farm to bottle, while supporting the local community, has allowed the best of our state to shine through in every bottle. Over the past 15 years, St. Julian has focused on producing a new line of single variety wines. The grapes come from the vineyards in Southwest Michigan, producing top quality wines. In 1999, Braganini Reserve Meritage was “born” establishing a small lot production of dry, single variety wines. St. Julian now has over 15 Braganini Reserve wines ranging in many different winemaking styles. Wines: 2017 Mountain Road Riesling ($19.99) 2017 Braganini Reserve Grüner Veltliner ($19.99) Amoritas Vineyards Leelanau Peninsula AVA Viticulturalist: Emily Goodell @AmoritasVines Michael, Emily, and Matthew Goodell carry the torch of entrepreneurial wine industrialism, originally lit wife & mother, Mary Northcutt, into the forefront of Michigan farmers and winemakers. Along with Matthew’s wife Nora, the team has forged ahead tirelessly, pursuing a goal to craft clean, delicate, and delicious wines. Wines created from grapes planted, nurtured, and harvested by hand on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula. Wine: 2016 Chardonnay ($21) 19 February L. Mawby Winery Leelanau Peninsula AVA Winemaker: Peter Laing @mibubbly Fine, traditional method sparkling wines, classically styled, produced entirely from grapes grown on the Leelanau Peninsula. Mawby wines express the character of this special place, the care of the people tending the vines, and the purity of intent of those guiding the transformation of grape to sparkling wine. Wine: Blanc de Blanc ($25) Big Little Wines Leelanau Peninsula AVA Winemaker: Peter Laing @bigLITTLEwines Big white wines. Little Leelanau Peninsula. Big brother. Little brother. Big passion. Little ego. The goal is to make full-bodied, hand crafted wines that are expressions of both staff and parents’ ten-acre vineyard in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Wine: 2017 Mixtape Field Blend Fenn Valley Vineyards Lake Michigan Shore AVA @fennvalley Fenn Valley Vineyards is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery complex established in 1973. Their goal has always been to produce world-class wines from grapes grown along the shore of Lake Michigan. The Fenn Valley estate is a 240 acre farm located five miles from Lake Michigan just south of Holland, Michigan. The site was chosen after reviewing weather, climate, and soil survey maps. Unlike farmers who already own farm land and then begin to grow grapes, the Welsch family migrated from the Chicago area and were therefore free to select the most desirable site for viticulture based on the available data. What does their slogan, “The Lake Effect Everyone Loves” mean? What they call the “Lake Effect” is the moderating effect that Lake Michigan has on the climate of West Michigan, and it is what makes grape growing possible. There is a narrow band right along the shore where cold tender grape varieties can be successfully grown. Most people who live there know the Lake Effect as heavy winter snowfall. But they know the Lake Effect as milder winter temperatures leading to great Michigan wine. Wine: Chateau Chantal Director of Marketing: Kyle Browning @ChateauChantal The Begin family, Robert, Nadine and daughter Marie-Chantal, opened the doors of friendly hospitality in 1993 upon the completion of a French style three room B&B, winery and vineyard estates. Focusing on Michigan wines, they produce Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and other varieties. Perhaps even more interesting than the magical story of winemaking is the history of the Chateau’s founding couple, Robert and Nadine. Their fascinating tale begins with two previous careers of service to others. As a Catholic diocesan priest for 12 years, Robert worked in his home area of Detroit until a decision was made in 1972 to begin again as a businessman heading a construction business. Nadine had taken a similar path by entering the Felician Sisters in 1950. After earning her Master’s Degree in Home Economics and teaching for 22 years, she too made a decision to seek a different life. Married in 1974, the couple followed Robert’s dream of building a European style winery chateau. Wine: 30 Year Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay ($30)
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