You’ll have to forgive students in the Lake Michigan College Wine & Viticulture Technology program if they burst with pride this weekend. Their new Lake Michigan Vintners Tasting Room which opened recently will celebrate a full-tilt three-day Grand Opening Celebration this weekend from Friday though Sunday, July 21st through the 23rd in downtown Baroda.
Visitors to the new boutique winery’s tasting room can enjoy live music, food trucks, and specially priced wines poured by the folks who knew the wine when it was still a grape, the students of the program.
At long last, Lake Michigan College’s Wine & Viticulture students can share what they have been growing, fermenting, blending and perfecting since the program began in 2015.
During the Grand Opening, Lake Michigan Vintners will introduce nine small batch, limited production varietals and blends made from locally sourced fruit.
From the dry Inaugural Red Blend with hints of chocolate covered strawberries, to a semi-sweet Riesling with aromas of green tea and candied orange, there is a wine or hard cider to suit almost every taste.
Michael Moyer is the program instructor and administrator who oversees the entire academic program as well as the teaching winery and tasting room. He says, “We’ve employed old world techniques with a modern understanding to best express the unique qualities of our local grapes and vineyards.”
Moyer notes, “Because of Southwest Michigan’s soil and climate, they are more representative of European wines than those from the U.S. West Coast. They represent the naturally fruit forward, balanced, and food friendly wines our region is capable of producing.”
Grand opening weekend wine specials include half priced tastings and $5 glasses of select wines.
Acoustic musician, Joe Jason will perform 70’s favorites live on Friday from 4-7pm. Jim’s Smokin’ Café Food Truck will serve BBQ and street tacos on Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, Berklee trained singer-songwriter, Chris Behre, will perform from 2-5pm and Lulu’s Licks Antique Food Truck will offer fresh Empanadas and Tacos.
The teaching winery is the first of its kind in the Midwest.
Lake Michigan College launched the Wine & Viticulture Technology program with the support of leading wineries spanning the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail all the way up to Old Mission Peninsula.
The aim of the college’s dynamic program is to foster the next generation of expert winemakers, and to advance the state in its burgeoning status as a recognized, world class wine region.
Students of the program experience every aspect of the wine industry, including vineyard management, winemaking, lab analysis, and all aspects of business and tasting room operations.
Moyer was recruited by Lake Michigan College from the state of Washington to run the program. Since earning a Master’s Degree in Enology from University of California-Davis, Moyer worked for some of the nation’s most esteemed wineries. Now, Moyer has become an evangelist for Michigan wine.
As he tells us, “Southwest Michigan has a longer growing season than Burgundy, France, but we’re still one of the best kept secrets in the wine world. It’s exciting to partner with our area wineries who’ve been laying the groundwork, and to see our potential unfolding.”
To learn more about the Lake Michigan College Wine and Viticulture Technology program, click the link below:
http://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/wine
The Lake Michigan Vintners Tasting Room is located in downtown Baroda on 8972 First Street, and is open every Wednesday and Thursday from noon – 5pm, Friday and Saturday from noon – 6pm and Sundays from noon – 5pm. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday. For more information click this link:
