State's wine industry growing more fruitful

Special April events celebrate Michigan Wine Month

The alarm clock is buzzing, as Michigan wineries wake up from a long winter's snooze.

Now through May, workers will be pruning and tying vines in the vineyards, cranking up the bottling line for the 2010 whites and dusting off the tasting counters.

And just like every other April 1, Gov. Rick Snyder will make it official that April is Michigan Wine Month, when state officials, wineries and restaurants celebrate the renaissance of Michigan wines.

The state now has 81 wineries, up from 68 last year, and they are spread all around the state. While sales of all wines in Michigan were up 4 percent last year, sales of Michigan wines were up 12 percent, according to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

"The industry continues to evolve, and all producers are growing in sales," says Linda Jones, executive director of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, who points to the sweeping "Sunday morning liquor sales" bill signed into law in December that contained many changes to bring the state more in line with the rest of the country.

In addition to allowing Sunday morning liquor sales, the law clarified that Michigan tasting rooms can charge for samples — finally, they don't have to give their products away — and retailers can hold in-store tastings.

Jones notes that many of the newly licensed wineries are farm marketers — such as apple growers running cider mills that added fruit and other novelty wines, following the lead of Uncle John's Cider Mill and Fruit House Winery in St. Johns and Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids.

Here's a taste of key April happenings for Michigan Wine Month.

Michigan Wine Showcase
This large tasting of Michigan wines, with winemakers and owners present, runs from 6-8:30 p.m. April 11 in the ballroom of the Radisson Hotel & Suites, 39475 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills. The event is hosted by Master Sommeliers Claudia Tyagi and Madeline Triffon, who are teaming with chef Tim Budzinski of Northern Lakes Seafood Company for appetizers. Admission is $45 in advance, $50 at the door, with a $5 discount for Vintage Michigan members. To purchase tickets in advance and/or join Vintage Michigan, call (517) 241-4468 or (517) 241-3415.

Vinotecca's menu
Longtime supporter of Michigan wines and food products, Vinotecca Wine Bar and Restaurant, 417 N. Main, Royal Oak, will feature a roster of Michigan wines and meads by the glass to pair with a menu of Michigan foods. The eight featured drinks include Left Foot Charley Rose, Fenn Valley Cabernet Franc and B. Nektar's Barrel Aged Dry Cyser. Dishes include Lake Superior potato-encrusted walleye and a pate duo of Ludington smoked trout mousse and Mackinac chicken liver pate. Call (248) 544-6256.

Michigan Wine Country Guide
The annual guide to Michigan wineries for 2011 is out. Like the industry itself, it's bigger than last year's, up eight pages to a total of 64. It's packed with useful information, including maps, exact addresses and driving tips for each winery. The ads are as useful for travelers as the stories. It's free and can be ordered at www.michiganwines.com or by calling (517) 241-3415 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.