MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
2:00 p.m.
Constitution Hall
Lansing, Michigan
Approved August 3, 2006

Members Present via Telephone:
Mitch Irwin, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture
David Miller, St. Julian Wine Co.
Joe Herman, Herman Farms
Liz Berger, Chateau Chantal
Melinda Remer, Travel Michigan
Lou Gostinger, Lakeside Beverage
Ron Perry, Michigan State University

Members Absent:
Julie Wendt, Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Kristin Jonna, Merchant's Fine Wine

Others Present:
Linda Jones, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
Karel Bush, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council
David Creighton, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council

Chair Irwin called the special meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

THE CHAIR ASKED FOR ANY REVISIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND HEARING NONE HE ORDERED ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA.

Minutes of the January 12, 2006 Meeting

MOTION: MELINDA REMER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE JANUARY 12, 2006 MINUTES. SECONDED BY LIZ BERGER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Minutes of the February 1, 2006 Special Meeting

MOTION: LIZ BERGER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE FEBRUARY 1, 2006 MINUTES. SECONDED BY JOE HERMAN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

STAFF REPORTS

Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition: David Creighton reported that the competition will be held August 1, 2006, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. The Gold Medal Reception is August 3. Twenty judges have been invited to participate in the competition. Doug Frost and Dan Berger, who have judged in previous years, are both unable to attend this year. Council staff is putting together a procedures manual for the competition.

Julian-Stille Ag Innovation Fund Update: Linda Jones reported that the Julian-Stille value-added grant program has been restarted. Application deadline is July 13, 2006. Chair Irwin stated that recommendations will be submitted to the Administration Board in early September, and that awards will be announced in early October. Workshops will be conducted throughout the state; schedule is available on the MDA website.

Consumer Research Report Publication: Linda Jones reported that a comprehensive summary of wine tourism research findings is nearly complete. A summary of wine consumption research findings will be compiled later this summer. Both summaries will be available on CD.

NEW BUSINESS

Robinette's Winery: Linda Jones stated that she received an application from Robinette's Winery to be added to the Council's list of producers of Michigan wine. She stated that the winery uses 100 percent Michigan fruit and recommended to the Council that they be approved. Ron Perry commented that the Robinettes are leaders in the fruit industry and that their business venture may encourage other tree fruit growers to consider grape and wine production.

MOTION: DAVE MILLER MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVE ROBINETTE'S WINERY AS A "PRODUCER OF MICHIGAN WINE" FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES OF THE COUNCIL. LIZ BERGER SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Enology Extension partnership with MSU: Dave Miller reviewed a memo distributed to Council members prior to the meeting (Attachment A) regarding the Council's assistance in funding a faculty position in viticulture research at Michigan State University. Ron Perry asked whether financial support for this position will affect funding provided by the Council for research grants. Linda Jones stated that the funding will come from Council carry-forward funds (accumulated surplus) and won't impact the budget for research grants.

MOTION: DAVE MILLER MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL ALLOCATE $100,000 OF ITS CARRY-FORWARD FUNDS TO PLEDGE TO AN ENOLOGY EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS (approximately Sept. 1, 2006 to August 31, 2008). LIZ BERGER SECONDED. RON PERRY ABSTAINED FROM THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

OTHER BUSINESS
Chair Irwin commended Council staff for a successful publication of Michigan Wine Country magazine.

Dave Miller commented that the Research Committee will request that WineMichigan serve as a "clearinghouse" for donations from the wine industry for the MSU enology faculty position. Chair Irwin recommended that WineMichigan approach legislators, MDA and MSU to get involved. He suggested that MDA, MSU and WineMichigan meet before WineMichigan meets with legislators.

Dave Miller commented that the grape and wine program at Great Lakes Expo has been expanded to include a half-day for grant awards, half-day for general grape sessions, and half-day for wine and wine grapes. He is in need of a keynote speaker and asked for suggestions from Council members.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

The following document is on file in the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council office and can be obtained upon request:

1. Memo to Council from Dave Miller and Linda Jones: Update on Discussions with MSU Regarding Needs of the Wine Industry and New Partnership Opportunity