About the Council
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council is an 11-member Council established by the Legislature to promote Michigan's wine and wine grape-growing industries. New wineries are starting up in Michigan every year, wine grape acreage continues to grow, sales of Michigan wines are increasing, and the reputation of Michigan as a world-class wine region is gaining more national and international attention.
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council has been established
within the Michigan Department of Agriculture to provide for research,
education and the promotion of the Michigan wine grape and wine industry,
stimulating value-added, sustainable agriculture.
(May 2003)
The Council is funded through non-retail liquor license fees, and employs two full-time and one part-time staff, based at the Michigan Department of Agriculture offices in Lansing. Priorities of the Council are encouraging growth of the industry, promotion of Michigan wines, funding research to support wine grape growing in Michigan, and sponsoring training opportunities for industry development.
An industry newsletter is issued several times a year and an annual publication "Michigan Wine Country" provides information to consumers. Members of the industry who wish to be added to the mailing list for these materials are invited to contact the Council office at 517-241-3415 or by fax at 517-335-0628 or by e-mail at MDA-Michigan-Wines@michigan.gov.
Members of the Council represent various sectors of the industry:
Chair
Donald Koivisto, Director,
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Winery*
Heather Price, Sandhill Crane Vineyards
Winery*
Dan Matthies, Chateau Fontaine
Winery*
Robert Jacobson, Leelanau Wine Cellars
Wine Grape Grower*
Charles Edson, Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery
Distributor*
Steven Arbaugh, Bayside Beverage
Restaurant/Retailer*
Amanda Danielson, Trattoria Stella
Michigan State University
Doug Buhler, Associate Director, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station; Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Melinda Remer, Director of Marketing, Travel Michigan
Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Julie Wendt, Division Director, Licensing
Additional Member*
David Anthony, Hannahville Indian Community
*Indicates Governor appointments - two-year term, may be reappointed for a second term
Staff Members:
Robert Craig, Division Director, Agriculture Development Division, MDA
Linda Jones, Executive Director, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Karel Bush, Promotion Specialist, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Sherri Goodreau, Program Assistant, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
