October 7, 2002 - For the first time ever, Michigan has exported and sold several varieties of its wines on a commercial scale into the European market of Germany, announced Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA).

"Developing and expanding export markets remains critical to ensuring the long-term future and viability of Michigan’s agricultural industry," Wyant said. "This initial sale and effort holds tremendous promise for Michigan’s grape growers, wineries and vintners and highlights the growing high-quality and tasting recognition Michigan wines are receiving, especially in such an internationally-acclaimed wine region."

Wyant explained that this exporting accomplishment was the result of two years of work. Specifically, MDA has provided the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council (MGWIC) with International Market Development Grants to significantly leverage federal funds to organize pavilions at the Pro Wein Show in Dussledorf , Germany, as well as bring prospective importers to Michigan.

After identifying German importers at the ProWein Show, MDA, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and five Michigan wineries – Bowers Harbor Vineyard, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, all from the Old Mission Peninsula area, and Ciccone Vineyard and L. Mawby Vineyards from the Leelanau Peninsula area – sold a container of Michigan wines for export to Germany. The shipment was in partnership with other Midwest wineries and totaled 828 cases of wine, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Riesling and sparkling wine, with a value of more than $62,000. Michigan’s share was 213 cases valued at $17,365.

Following this shipment, an MDA and Midwest winery representative traveled to Germany last month to kick off additional sales and marketing activities at the Wein Salon trade show in Hamburg. The German importers will also stage 10 wine tasting activities featuring the Michigan and Midwest wines throughout Germany through the end of October.

Wyant said further market development efforts are on the horizon. In fact, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council has received another International Market Development Grant for 2002-2003. Leveraging these funds on a 3-to-1 basis will allow the state’s grape and wine industry to develop another pavilion at Pro Wein in March and a new pavilion at the London Wine and Spirits trade show in May.

The state’s grape and wine industry has grown dramatically over the past decade and is gaining acclaim and recognition with numerous top awards from national and international wine competitions. Michigan is currently home to 32 wineries and tasting rooms and the state’s wine grape acreage has increased 24 percent since 1997. Michigan wineries produce more than 200,000 cases of wine annually (with the vast majority from Michigan-grown grapes), making the state 13th in wine production.