The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council is a 10-member Council established by the Legislature to promote Michigan's wine and wine grape-growing industries. New wineries are starting up in Michigan every year, wine grape acreage continues to grow, sales of Michigan wines are increasing, and the reputation of Michigan as a world-class wine region is gaining more national and international attention.

The Council is funded through non-retail liquor license fees, and employs two full-time and one part-time staff, based at the Michigan Department of Agriculture offices in Lansing. Priorities of the Council are encouraging growth of the industry, promotion of Michigan wines, funding research to support wine grape growing in Michigan, and sponsoring training opportunities for industry development.

An industry newsletter is issued several times a year and an annual publication "Michigan Wine Country" provides information to consumers. Members of the industry who wish to be added to the mailing list for these materials are invited to contact the Council office at (517) 241-4468 or by fax at (517) 335-0628 or by e-mail at MDA-Michigan-Wines@michigan.gov.

Members of the Council represent various sectors of the industry:

Chair
Donald Koivisto, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture
 
Winery*
Heather Price, Sandhill Crane Vineyards
 
Winery*
Dan Matthies, Chateau Fontaine
 
Winery*
Bob Jacobson, Leelanau Wine Cellars
 
Grape Grower*
Charles Edson, Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery
 
Distributor*
Steve Arbaugh, Bayside Beverage
 
Restaurant/Retailer*
Amanda Danielson, Trattoria Stella
 
Michigan State University
Ron Perry, Chair, Department of Horticulture
 
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Melinda Remer, Director of Marketing, Travel Michigan
 
Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Julie Wendt, Division Director, Licensing
 
*Indicates Governor appointments - two-year term, may be reappointed for a second term

Staff Members:

Robert Craig, Division Director,
    Agriculture Development Division, MDA
Linda Jones, Executive Director,
    Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Karel Bush, Program Assistant

Updated 1/19/07