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Michigan Wine Industry Grows to World-Class Distinction
By Linda Jones, Executive Director, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
 Michigan’s wine industry continues to grow and has become a significant contributor to the state’s agricultural and tourism economies. There are currently 32 wineries in Michigan using predominantly Michigan-grown fruit, an increase from 17 in 1995. Many of those wineries have seen dramatic increases in their tasting room traffic while others in the tourism industry struggle to break even in today’s economy.
This increase in visitors translates into additional dollars for the tourism industry in general. A recent study conducted by the Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources at Michigan State University, coordinated by Dr. Ed Mahoney and Dr. Don Holecek, confirms the economic impact of the wine industry at over $75 million annually. Of this, close to $17 million is attributed to winery visitors’ non-winery expenditures in the communities surrounding the wineries.
Research and Extension work conducted by Dr. Stan Howell and Dr. Tom Zabadal and others at Michigan State University provide important technical information to the industry. As a result, the quality of Michigan wine continues to increase every year, as wine grape growers learn to select the varieties and vineyard management practices that are well suited to Michigan’s unique climate. Evidence of this is the increasing number of Michigan wines winning awards at national and international competitions each year.
The support of the tourism industry in Michigan is critical to the continued growth of the wine industry. Wineries add to the diversity of Michigan’s tourism product mix, and the wines are worthy of your support. When planning events where you’ll serve wine, think Michigan first! The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council has staff available to assist you in choosing wines that will complement your event. Serve and drink more Michigan wine (responsibly, of course) and help this industry continue to grow!
The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council is a 10-member board established by the state Legislature to support the continued growth of the wine industry, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Representatives on the council come from the wine industry, the alcohol beverage industry, MSU and state agencies.
The council publishes an annual guide to the wineries entitled “Michigan Wine Country.” Multiple copies of the magazine are available on request to members of the tourism industry for further distribution. Contact the council office in Lansing at (517) 373-1104 to be added to the mailing list. For more information about Michigan’s wines and wineries, visit the council’s web site at www.michiganwines.com.
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