Northern Michigan Wine Summit - City Opera House - April 26, 2010

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Authors to tell the tale of Michigan Wine History at the 4th Annual Northern Michigan Wine Summit

The 4th Annual Northern Michigan Wine Summit returns to Traverse City on Monday, April 26 at the Traverse City Opera House as the wineries of both Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula collaborate to showcase their wines and their award-winning industry. The event will feature Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis, authors of the award-winning “From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries,” which showcases Michigan wine country destinations. Lorri and Sharon will present highlights from their 2010 summer release book: “The History of Michigan Wines: 150 Years of Winemaking along the Great Lakes.” Don’t miss the fascinating history of early wine pioneers of the 1800s, the bootlegging prohibition era, the post-Prohibition boom of the 1930s and the rebirth of the industry as we now know it!

The event is in three parts:
1-2pm “The History of Michigan Wines” presentation by Lorri Hathaway & Sharon Kegerreis
2-4:30pm: Afternoon trade show featuring wine tasting, door prizes and wine
5:30-7:30pm Early-evening public wine show with wine tasting, door prizes and silent auction and a brief revisit of the historical presentation

“This event allows us to focus on the great wines we are producing here in Northern Michigan for both those in the service industry and for everyone who lives and work in our area- we know anyone can be an ambassador for local wines” says Liz Berger from Chateau Chantal Winery on Old Mission Peninsula. “We’ll be offering tastes of our wines all day to showcase the quality wines being produced in our region.”

From 1-2pm, Lorri and Sharon will introduce you to Michigan’s never-before-documented early wine history, starting with the state’s first viable wine region in the 1800s along the shores of Lake Erie. Learn about northern Michigan’s pioneers who plant the region’s first vineyards before the onset of Prohibition when legal wine production ends and a new rollicking era begins. You’ll hear about the national headline-generating raid on barrels of red wine in the Upper Peninsula and how three of Michigan’s vintners solidify their place in history during this dynamic era. The industry explodes after Prohibition and continues through the 1960s before production drops due to a changing marketplace. Significant new grape varietals crop up in the 1960s and 1970s, including plantings by five northern Michigan vintners. After a changing law shuts down several wineries, the industry reinvents itself into vibrant culinary wine and food destinations that garner national and international attention for stylish wines influenced by our Great Lakes maritime climate. Everyone is welcome, though the presentation should be of special interest to restaurant owners and managers, store owners and managers, media, significant tourism and community leaders, wineries and other VIPs.

From 2-4:30pm a trade-show featuring local wineries will open for restaurant owners & managers & waitstaff, store owners & managers & clerks, media, hoteliers, plus tourism & community leaders. Each participating winery will have a tasting table and information about their wines. This will be a great opportunity to meet will local wineries and try many local wines all in one location. Door prizes, fun, and games will keep the atmosphere light and entertaining

From 5:30-7:30pm the public will be invited to a wine tasting for $7/person. Cheeses, breads, crackers, and fruits will accompany the featured wines. An abbreviated version of “History of Michigan Wine” will be offered at 6:30pm. A fun atmosphere will feature games, trivia, door prizes, and small silent auction to benefit the Michigan Wine Foundation. Many local restaurants will offer special discounts on Monday evening to patrons with a NoMiWi ticket.

Northern Michigan is a rapidly growing wine region, currently producing world-class wines which impact not only the local economy but which also contribute to the state’s nearly $19 billion tourism industry. The Northern Michigan vintners have become a catalyst for Michigan, drawing attention to the state’s overall image as a year-round agri-tourism destination. Northern Michigan is home to over 850 acres of vineyards which are used by the over 24 area wineries to produce more than 150,000 cases of wine each year. For more details about the impact of the wine industry on Michigan’s economy visit: http://www.michiganwines.com/page.php?menu_id=19

Visit Northern Michigan Wine Summit Website >>>>

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