NW Michigan Food and Farming Network Report to the Community 2015 Report to the Community

2015 Report to the community Northern Michigan’s Wine Industry Winery sales are up 400% since 1996 By Don Coe Black Star Farms Our local wine industry is a proven success with sales volume in the Grand Traverse Bay area increasing by 400 percent and acreage by 300 percent since 1996. There has been a parallel increase in quality as grape growers and winemakers have learned their craft and benefitted from wine research. There is room for continued growth from the 35 plus wineries already established as interest remains The region’s wine industry has seen an increase in quality as winemakers have high among established farmers and learned their craft and benefitted from wine research. (Photos: Gary Howe) new entrepreneurs. farm markets as winery visitors dem- demonstrate support for businesses Wine tourism and the Michigan onstrate a keen interest in where their that demonstrate sound environtravel experience create a significant opportunity for allied businesses and food and beverages are produced and mental and social practices. These all provide a substantial base upon which to build. There are some clear lessons to be learned from the wine industry. First is that a “rising tide raises all boats.” The first thing our wineries did after they reached some scale, was to establish cooperative wine trail organizations to promote and market their products jointly. The second was to work together on education and research efforts to improve quality and business practices. Finally wineries have played active roles in supporting their local communities. Our local wine industry may be one of the best examples of Taste the Local Difference®. The first thing regional wineries did after they reached some scale was to establish cooperative wine trail organizations to promote their products. www.michiganwines.com 30

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