MEDIA CONTACTS:
Henri Boucher, Show Producer (616-447-2860 / henrib@showspan.com)
Cathleen McDonald, Show Manager (616-447-2860 / cathleenm@showspan.com)
Dianna Stampfler, Show Publicist (269-330-4228 / dianna@promotemichigan.com)

Michigan Made Beers, Wines & Spirits Shine at
Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich) – Of the 1000+ beers, wines, ciders and spirits to be featured at the 2nd Annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival, as many as 200 are proudly crafted in Michigan. Nearly three dozen micro-breweries, wineries and distilleries will showcase their products November 12-14 in the elegance of the Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place. Additionally, seven paid seminars will be held throughout the weekend offering an in-depth look at the products that are hand-crafted here in the Great Lakes State.  

The craft beverage industry continues to grow in Michigan at an impressive rate, boosting the state’s ever present agri-tourism industry (www.michigan.gov/agtourism) and up-and-coming culinary-tourism industry. Currently, agriculture is touted as Michigan’s #2 industry ($71+ billion), while tourism ranks at #3 ($18 billion).

Wine, grapes, grape juice products and related industries produced nearly $790 million of total economic value to the State of Michigan, in 2005. In addition, the industry paid more than $42 million in state and local taxes in Michigan, and an additional $42 million in federal taxes and accounted for more than 5,000 jobs across the state, for a payroll of more than $190 million. Michigan’s wine industry is promoted via the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council (www.MichiganWines.com) through the Michigan Department of Agriculture (www.Michigan.gov/MDA).

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.” Several recent initiatives have also resulted in growing of hops in Michigan, to help support the state’s brewing industry. Michigan’s brewing industry is promoted via the Michigan Brewers Guild (www.MichiganBrewersGuild.org) and copies of their annual magazine, Michigan-The Great Beer State, will be available at the Michigan brewery booths.

Currently, Michigan boasts 11 licensed artisan distilleries across the state producing top-notch vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, brandy and au de vie from agricultural commodities such as rye, grapes, wheat and various locally-grow fruits. Currently, Michigan ranks second only to California in the number of licensed distilleries. In 2008, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation estimated that given the appropriate licensing, distilleries could generate $414 million in economic activity and 1400 new jobs for the state.

Michigan producers at this year’s Festival include:

WINE

• 2 Lads Winery (www.2LWinery.com): One of Michigan’s newest award-winning wineries, situated on 58 acres on the Old Mission Peninsula, invites you to stop by for a taste in booth #43.
• Black Star Farms (www.blackstarfarms.com): Operating wineries on both Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, as well as a tasting room at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Visit them in booth #24.
• Bowers Harbor Vineyard (www.bowersharbor.com): Award-winning estate wines await you in booth #41. Situated along the 45th Parallel, this family-run winery produces dynamic cool climate on the Old Mission Peninsula.
• Brys Estate (www.brysestate.com): Situated on an 80-acre former cherry farm on Old Mission Peninsula and producing international award-winning wines – including the best ranked Cab-Franc in Michigan – available for sampling in booth #43.
• Cascade Winery (www.cascadewinery.com): Calling Grand Rapids home, you can “make your own” wine – with Michigan fruit – at this winery. Find out more by visiting booth #31.  
• Chateau Chantal (www.chateauchantal.com): Perched atop a bluff on Old Mission Peninsula, this winery B&B will be sampling some great holiday and reserve wines from booth #44.
• Chateau Grand Traverse (www.ctgwines.com): As one of Michigan’s largest wine producers, you’ll find a wide variety of wines worth exploring at booth #42.
• Circa Estate Winery (www.circawinery.com): Michigan’s newest winery on Leelanau Peninsula will offer up its newly released wines in booth #30. This is the first public tasting for Circa…so don’t miss out.
• Contessa Winery (www.contessawinecellars.com): A third generation winemaker operates this Coloma winery, part of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Check out the wines in booth #70.
• Domaine Berrien Cellars (www.domaineberrien.com): Established in 2001 and committed to hand-crafting high quality estate bottled wines from the grapes grown in the vineyards. Visit them in booth #72.
• Douglas Valley (www.douglasvalley.net): Michigan’s first organic vineyard community can be found in Manistee, on a 640-acre historic fruit farm. Sample the fruits of their labor in booth #32.
• Fenn Valley (www.fennvalley.com): You’ll find a wide variety of wines to sample from Allegan County’s only winery, including their 42 Ice Wine, by stopping by booth #71.
• Free Run Cellars (www.freeruncellars.com): Wines like Vineyard Tears, Merlot, and the Raspberry Dessert Wine will be served in booth #53
• Hickory Creek (http://hickorycreekwinery.typepad.com/hickory-creek/): Creating world-class wines from grapes grown exclusively on Lake Michigan's eastern shore in booth #74.
• Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery (www.karmavista.com): Sample Watusi red, the ’07 Merlot and Razz M’Tazz Dessert Wine, all with grapes grown along the Lake Michigan shore, in booth #52
• Lake Effect Winery (www.lakeeffectwinery.com):  This new Fruitport Township winery makes impressive fruit wine wines made from pears, apples, elderberries and chokeberries for sampling at booth #10
• Lawton Ridge (www.lawtonridgewinery.com): One of Michigan’s newest wineries – located near Kalamazoo – serving up samples in booth #74
• L. Mawby (www.lmawby.com): Known as the premier sparkling wine maker in the state, and one of the top in the country, attendees are encouraged to ask for SEX when visiting booth #24.
• Leelanau Wine Company (www.leelanaucellars.com): Sporting a new tasting room on Grand Traverse Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula, you’ll find award-winning wines (including fruit wines) in booth #63.
• Left Foot Charley (www.leftfootcharley.com): Housed in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, sample award-winning white wines from one of the nation’s top Riesling makers in booth #41.
• Lemon Creek Winery (www.lemoncreekwinery.com): A family-owned farm that has been in operation for over 150 years along the rolling clay loam hills of Berrien Springs. Visit them in booth #50.
• Peninsula Cellars (www.peninsulacellars.com): Recently featured in TIME magazine for its award-winning Riesling where it was touted as the only non-west coast Riesling worth buying. Sample it yourself in booth #44.
• Robinette Cellars (www.robinettes.com): A Kent County agricultural treasure, you’ll find fruit wines and hard cider for sampling in booth #34.
• Round Barn Winery (www.roundbarnwinery.com): Housed in an historic Amish round barn, in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country, you’ll find “Vineyard Tears” one of the offerings for tasting in booth #53.
• Shady Lane Cellars (www.shadylanecellars.com): A century old chicken coop, lovingly restored into a tasting room on Leelanau Peninsula, offers a memorable setting for wine tasting. Sample the wines by visiting booth #11.
• St. Julian Winery (www.stjulian.com): Michigan’s oldest and most decorated winery will be pouring samples of a variety of wines in booth #64, as well as their Braganini Reserve line in booth #73.
• Tabor Hill Winery (www.taborhill.com): The only Michigan winery to also boast a full-service restaurant, you’ll find award-winning wines and sparkling wines for sampling in booths #23 and #51.  
• Warner Vineyards (www.warnerwines.com): Michigan’s second oldest winery, located in Paw Paw, and dating back to 1938. Sample the ’06 Chardonnay Reserve or ’07 Cab/Merlot Blend, as well as several sweeter fruit wines and ports in booth #54.

BEER

• Bell’s Brewery (www.bellsbeer.com):  Michigan’s largest producing micro-brewery crafts 14 different kinds of ales, beer, porter and stout – several of which will be available for sampling in booth  #212.
• Founders Brewing Company (www.foundersbrewing.com): Focusing their efforts to one simple pursuit…ignore mainstream and make the beers they want to drink. Made locally in Grand Rapids and available in booth #192.
• New Holland Brewing (www.newhollandbrew.com): Makers of award-winning beers, hard cider and the newly released Artisan Spirits. You’ll find “Art in Fermented Form” worth a visit to booth #194.
• Short’s Brewery (www.shortsbrewing.com): House-made beers like Pandemonium Pale, Huma Lupa Licious IPA, Bellaire Brown Ale and Soft Parade will be available for sampling in booth #322.

SPIRITS

• Grand Traverse Distillery (www.grandtraversedistillery.com): Michigan’s first hand-crafted vodka micro-distillery will offer samples of its award-winning True North Vodka, Natural Cherry Vodka and new Wheat Vodka from booth #33.
• Valentine Vodka (www.valentinevodka.com): Detroit’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition, this spirit is handcrafted in small batchs from a proprietary blend of Midwestern grains. Taste it at booth #22

In addition to the samplings at the individual booths, a handful of Michigan libation experts will present informational seminars throughout the festival at a cost of $15 per person (to cover the cost of the samples). Organized by Joe Borrello from Tasters Guild International, these presenters and their seminar topics include:

Thursday, November 12

7:30pm    Larry Mawby – L. Mawby Vineyards
“Celebrate the Season with Michigan Sparkling Wines”

Friday, November 13

7:30pm    Sean O’Keefe – Chateau Grand Traverse & Bryan Ulbrich – Left Foot Charley
“International Riesling Foundation”

Saturday, November 14

1:30pm    Fred Bueltmann – New Holland Brewing Co.
“Micro Brews”

1:30pm    Doug Welsch – Fenn Valley Vineyards
“Michigan’s World Class Rieslings”

3:00pm    Coenraad Stassen – Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery & Brian Hosmer, Chateau Chantal
“Michigan Cab Franc”

4:30pm    Brian Bulles & Bob Jacobson – Kent Beverage
“The Development of Northern Michigan Wines”

6:00pm    Chris Moersch – Round Barn Winery
“Pinots of Southwest Michigan: Red, White & Sparkling”

Show dates and times will be posted at the show and online at www.GRWineFestival.com.
The 2nd Annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival is expected to draw some 10,000+ individuals throughout the three days, making it the largest food and wine festival in the state and one of the premier events of its kind in the Midwest. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for the finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of wine, food and other culinary delights, the International Wine & Food Festival in Grand Rapids delivers a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.

 

For more information about the 2nd Annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival: www.GRWineFestival.com or 800-328-6550.

 

PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

PRODUCED BY:
Wine and Food Festival, LLC
2121 Celebration Dr NE • Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 • 616-447-2860 •  FAX: 616-447-2861
www.ShowSpan.com • Events@ShowSpan.com