The recent growth of the Michigan wine industry has prompted the formation of regional groups of wineries that are working co-operatively to promote winery tourism in their regions.  By expanding their partnerships to include local CVBs (convention and visitor bureaus), hotels, restaurants, and agricultural and cultural attractions, the trails have been an effective stimulus in developing tourism business, particularly in the shoulder seasons.   Similar wine trails may be found in the wine regions of New York.  Brochures and web sites are available for each of Michigan’s wine trails.

During the past year, the: 

Southwest Michigan Wine Trail Association created distribution boxes outside each winery for after-hours brochure pick-up, planned distinctive signposts on county roads in the region, and worked with area hotels and non-profit groups on trail events and fund-raising tastings.   www.miwinetrail.com 

The Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail created a web site, advertised their trail in southeast Michigan, developed and erected road signs and conducted their first trail events.    www.pioneerwinetrail.com

The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula placed advertising in several publications, developed their web site and planned several events.    www.wineriesofoldmission.com

The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association continued to build four seasonal wine touring events, sponsored a commemorative poster, hosted a FAM (familiarization) tour for area tourism and media representatives, and contributed wine to several industry and charity events in the region.   www.lpwines.com

Travel Michigan provides information about the trails on the Driving Tours section of their web site: www.michigan.org.

Information about the Michigan wine industry is also available on the web site of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council’s web site www.michiganwines.com.  The Council also recently added information on starting a winery business in Michigan to their web site.


Following is the author's contact information:

Linda Jones
Executive Director
Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
JonesL9@michigan.gov