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April is Michigan Wine Month

Raise your glass high and make a toast to Michigan Wines!

April has been officially designated as "Michigan Wine Month" in order to promote the increasingly high quality and competitive wines produced here as well as to acknowledge the level of tourism that Michigan's wineries generate. Wine production and winery tourism annually contribute $75 million to the state's economy. Michigan currently is home to 45 wineries with more popping up each year. There are also several wine trails and tasting rooms scattered throughout the wine producing regions.

Michigan's oldest wine region is located in Southwest Michigan, but Northwestern Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula are growing rapidly. Southeast Michigan is getting into the wine making business as well and this up and coming region has also set up a "wine trail" association for staging weekend events called the Pioneer Wine Trail.

April also happens to be the month that the state releases Michigan Wine Country magazine, the annual guide to all things wine such as directions to wineries, special events, new releases and much more. This year's theme to the magazine is "Romancing the Vine" and in addition to the above information features Bed and Breakfasts that are close to wineries and involved in the wedding business.

Maybe you'd like to start your own winery or vineyard. If you do or are just curious what it would take, then check out Michigan Wine Resources on the state of Michigan's web site. The guide is designed to provide the best available resource materials in one convenient location for both existing and prospective operators.

For those interested in learning more about the scientific aspects of winemaking, Michigan State University has a comprehensive web site that brings together the resources at MSU with those of the grape growing industry. On the site you can get information about the current season, vineyard weather, detrimental/beneficial pests, diseases, cultural pratices and links to study programs/workshops.