May is Wine Month in Michigan, but the struggle for many wineries across the state is very real in light of the pandemic, so the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Michigan Wine Collaborative have teamed up for their Wine Month Challenge which could prove quite lucrative for wine aficionados while also benefiting a major relief fund.
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and Michigan Wine Collaborative launched #MichiganWineMonthChallenge on Friday. Starting that day, Friday May 1st and continuing for the entire month, during Michigan Wine Month, the challenge is offering opportunities for individuals to bid on exclusive experiences at select Michigan wineries.
All proceeds from the #MichiganWineMonthChallenge will go to The Michigan Hospitality Employee Relief Fund. That relief fund was created by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association to provide grants to the state’s hospitality industry employees who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the MRLA, says, “It has been a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with partners across the state to provide new resources for our hospitality industry and this partnership with the Michigan Wine Collaborative does just that.” Winslow adds, “We are honored to work together on this challenge while continuing to raise funds for an industry that has been arguably the hardest hit in our state in the wake of COVID-19.”
Virtual tickets are available for purchase May 1- 31, 2020 on the MRLA Facebook page, at the link below, at a cost of $10 each. Participants then submit the virtual ticket to the prize package they select online. Each $10 virtual ticket purchased is equivalent to one entry. The more virtual tickets that participants submit for a package, the better the odds for winning the drawing. The drawing will take place on the MRLA Facebook page live at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Here’s the direct link: https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialMRLA/
Brian Lillie, Director of Hospitality & Distribution at Chateau Chantal and a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Wine Collaborative, says, “Our goal with the Wine Month Challenge is to raise awareness for the wine industry in our state that has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while also doing some good by raising money to support the hospitality industry’s hardworking employees.” He adds, “This partnership with the MRLA made perfect sense and we are looking forward to the good that this challenge can bring to our industry.”
Michigan wineries offering packages for the #WineMonthChallenge include:
- 2 Lads Winery
- Amoritas Vineyards
- Bonobo Winery
- Chateau Chantal Winery
- Fenn Valley Vineyards
- Hawthorne Vineyards
- Left Foot Charley
- Love Wines Winery of Ludington
- Modals Wines
- MAWBY Sparkling Wines
- Shady Lane Cellars
- St. Julian Winery & Distillery
- Winery at Black Star Farms
Participants must be 18 years of age, and can purchase virtual tickets online at the link below:
https://mrlaef.org/michigan-wine-month-challenge-submission-form.html
You can view the packages at this link:
https://mrlaef.org/relief-fund/michigan-wine-month-challenge.html
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing nearly 600,000 people and creating $40 billion in annual revenue. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is a non-profit organization formed with the mission to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations. For more information, visit michiganwinecollaborative.com.
