In this episode, Steve talks with John Braganini about PA 232, the Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act that now serves as the framework for a proposed Michigan Wine Grape Grower program. At least 25 percent of Michigan wine grape growers petitioned to begin the process, and MDARD appointed a temporary committee to draft a program that growers will eventually vote on. John shares insight into what this means for growers, and how assessments may support marketing, research, and education. He also discusses the realities of operating Michigan’s largest winery, with St. Julian tasting rooms in Union Pier, Paw Paw, Rockford, Frankenmuth, Troy, Dundee, and soon Gaylord. Learn more about The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: michigan.gov/mdard

Learn more about St. Julian: stjulian.com

Contact John at [email protected] or 269-330-4205

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

In this episode, I sit down with Christine McAfee, owner of Oceana Winery and Vineyard. Christine brings twenty years of experience from the Finger Lakes region, covering the full range of cool climate wine roles. She and her husband Cameron spent two years working toward the purchase of Oceana, drawn first by the house and then by the opportunity to continue the legacy Greg started. Christine walks through their phased journey: vineyard work, tasting room renovation and expansion, equipment improvements, and the lineup of proprietary blends they now steward. Learn more at oceanawinery.com. Contact Christine at [email protected].

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

In this episode, I sit down with Sue Chilton of Shiny Quarter Vineyard. We recorded in early June, and Sue walks through her approach to biodynamic light, Chinese medicine, and the living mycelial network that shapes her vineyard practices. Learn more at shinyquarter.com. Contact Sue directly at 708-699-4243.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Barry O’Brien moved back to Michigan after years in New York and bought his Old Mission land in 1999. He started as an importer, then took over the vineyard himself in 2019 and earned a viticulture degree from MSU. He farms four acres of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. He dry farms, uses no herbicides, and works with seven foot rows and four feet between plants. He produces about five hundred cases a year and makes a sparkling Pinot Noir in cooler seasons. Join Barry at Wildfire Restaurant in downtown Chicago on August 11 for a Michigan Wine Dinner at the following link: wildfirerestaurant.com/chicago/w-b-s-events/best-of-michigan-wine-dinner

Learn more about his work with the Michigan Wine Collaborative: michiganwinecollaborative.com

Find O’Brien Vineyards on Facebook: facebook.com/obrienvineyards

Visit the O’Brien Vineyards website: obrien-vineyards.com

Contact Barry directly: [email protected]

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Kniebes for a lively conversation about marketing, labels, tasting room experiences, glassware, and the creative choices that shape Lazy Ballerina Winery. Lauren and her co‑owner Melanie grew up in Coloma, inspired by their grandmother’s homemade wines and the grapes grown on their family farm. That early spark led them into the Michigan wine industry and eventually to opening Lazy Ballerina Winery in 2015. Learn more at lazyballerinawinery.com or reach Lauren at [email protected]. This is the last of our 20 evergreen episodes prerecorded for release during my time in China.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Sean O’Keefe joins me for the final episode in our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. We explore the origins of vinifera in Northwest Michigan through the work of his father, Ed O’Keefe, founder of Chateau Grand Traverse, and the early support of Dr. Helmut Becker of Geisenheim. This episode was recorded last summer while Sean was still at Mari Vineyards. Sean can be reached at [email protected]. © Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

In this episode I sit with Gunnar Olson, owner of Baroda Founders Winecellar, to reflect on the legacy of his father, Leonard Olson. Leonard helped launch modern Michigan wine, beginning with Tabor Hill in 1970 and continuing through Berrien Vintners, Tanner Creek, River Bend Winery in Louisville, and Baroda Founders Winecellars. Gunnar shares stories from inside a family that helped build the foundation for the industry we know today. Visit Baroda Founders at barodafounderswinecellar.com

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Episode 151 features Maxx Eichberg in the third installment of our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers. Maxx returns to talk about regenerative farming and the hands on work that forms the foundation of great wine. You do not have to have been involved in Michigan winegrowing for multiple decades to be a pioneer, and Maxx shows why. We also reference Lauren Burns of Tending Tilth, featured in episode 121. Learn more at strangerwineco.com or contact [email protected].

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

This episode continues our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. Tony Peterson of Contessa Winecellars shares the story behind his ten-acre vineyard, his focus on Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Moscato, and the possible addition of Cabernet Franc, and his long standing role in shaping the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. We also talk about the early days of the Michigan Grape and Wine Council, now known as the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, and Tony’s commitment to building a strong, supportive network across the industry. Learn more at contessawinecellars.com and michigan.gov/mdard/about/boards/craftbeverage.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Episode 149 features Doug Welch, owner and cofounder of Fenn Valley Vineyards and a pioneer of the Lake Michigan Shore. Doug shares the story of building Fenn Valley more than fifty years ago alongside his father and reflects on the early days of Michigan’s wine industry transformation. This conversation offers rare insight into patience, long term vision, and the steady commitment required to move a region forward. Learn more at fennvalley.com or reach out at [email protected] or [email protected].

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.