Just in time for the holidays! If you're searching for a unique and special gift idea or an activity to enjoy with your family, friends, or business associates, we have an exciting offer for you. Meredith George, the owner of the St. Joe Wine Shoppe, and I bring private wine tastings directly to your home, office, or any location you prefer. I focus on showcasing the finest Michigan wines, while Meredith presents exceptional selections from around the globe. Join us for an engaging discussion about these wine tastings and discover how you can participate. For more information, visit www.stjoewineshoppe.online/events or call 269-FUN-WINE. You can also reach me at [email protected] or 269-326-1576.

Today, my guest is Michael Reinke, the Viticulture Specialist at the Michigan State University Extension Center, located just east of Benton Harbor. Recorded in August, this episode features a discussion on Michael’s career and some of the exciting projects he’s working on at the Center. If you have any questions, you can reach Michael at 269-927-5674. You can also find the Center online at www.canr.msu.edu/berrien/index.

Jayme and I embark on a blind tasting of three exceptional dry Rieslings from around the world. Our lineup includes Domaine Berrien’s 2022 Dry Riesling from Michigan, Selbach Oster from the prestigious Mosel region, and the iconic Trimbach from Alsace. Notably, Domaine Berrien is located at approximately 42° N, the Mosel region at about 50.5° N, and Alsace around 48.5° N. Join us as we explore the distinct flavors and nuances of each wine.

Today's guest is Tim Godfrey, the new Director of Wine and Viticulture Technology at Lake Michigan Vintners. With big shoes to fill after Michael Moyer’s departure, Tim is here to share the latest on the Midwest’s first teaching winery. Prepare to dive into his philosophy, and his exciting vision for the future of Lake Michigan Vintners. www.lakemichiganvintners.com

Jayme and I explore corks and screw caps, and when, where and why it makes sense to use each.

Jason Johnson is brand new to the Lake Michigan Shore and comes to us from California’s Napa Valley. Last winter Zach and Lindsay Filkins purchased Karma Vista Vineyards from Joe and Sue Herman, and one of their first hires was Jason. He brings a wealth of experience and we are all excited to see what he does with the new venture. You can reach Filkins Vineyards at their website, filkinsvineyards.com or by email, [email protected]. If you have a question for Jason, feel free to reach him directly at [email protected].

Sherry Seston is back with us today for another winery immersion. Joining Jayme and me, Sherry will guide us through a tasting of four exquisite wines from her Veritas Estate winery in South Haven, Michigan. The four wines are, Wren White Blend 2023, Chardonnay 2023, Beach Day Rose’ 2023, Blaufränkisch 2023. Go back to episode 61 to hear Sherry’s Chardonnay featured in a blind tasting we performed, including one from Chablis and one from Argentina. mivintageinn.com

Mike De Schaaf is my guest today. Mike is not only a seasoned vineyard consultant but also the farm manager at the MSU Extension Center in Benton Harbor. We dive into his journey in the Lake Michigan Shore wine industry and explore the vinifera varieties that thrive in this region. Plus, Mike has a story about my mom that you won’t want to miss.

Jayme and I discuss the USA AVA system, particularly focused on the Midwest states. There’s a lot of information here, and a few things that we’d really appreciate feedback about. If you have information that can help us, please let me know. Note that this is part 1. Be sure to tune into part 2 in a few weeks.

Claire Kliss wears two big hats. She’s the general manager at Contessa Wine Cellars in Coloma, Michigan, and she is the President of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, a group of about 15 wineries focused on promoting the wines of our AVA. email: [email protected] websites: contessawinecellars.com & lakemichiganshorewinetrail.com

Jayme and I are blind tasting three Chardonnays from around the world. The three wines we tasted (not in order, otherwise I’d give away the surprise) were Alpasión Grand Chardonnay 2021 from the Uco Valley in Argentina, Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2021 from France, and Chardonnay 2023 from Veritas Estate in the Lake Michigan Shore.

Jake Nivison is my guest today. Jake is the vigneron at Domaine Berrien Cellars here near Baroda, Michigan. Join us as we talk in their new barrel room about Jake’s interesting history, and his commitment to education. The website is domaineberrien.com and you can contact Jake at [email protected].

Jayme and I delve into the exquisite wine regions of France, including Alsace, the Loire Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. We can't help but draw parallels to our beloved Michigan wine regions. Let's uncork some knowledge and sip on some comparisons!

Geoff Hamelin and his father, Paul, are the proud owners and operators of Verterra Winery located in the picturesque Leelanau Peninsula. Verterra Winery is renowned for consistently crafting top-notch, award-winning wines. Just recently, their Merlot Rose' took home the prestigious top prize in the Michigan Governor’s Cup competition. Cheers to Verterra Winery for their well-deserved win! verterrawinery.com

Today, we are thrilled to unveil our latest offering: Winery Immersion. Join Jayme and me as we chat with Jason Forbes, the Wine Club Manager at Dablon Vineyards and Winery in Baroda, Michigan. Jason has graciously invited us to sample five of Dablon's exquisite wines. Tune in as we sip, savor, and share our thoughts on these delightful libations. Cheers to a great experience! www.dablon.com Contact Jason at [email protected] with questions, or call 269-999-6111.

Meet Paula Camp and her partner, Mary, the dynamic duo behind Carriage House Ciders in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Paula's story is nothing short of extraordinary - join us as we delve into her journey of making major life changes, venturing into the world of cider production long after most people have retired, and crafting exquisite European-style ciders that will tantalize your taste buds. Get ready for a cider experience like no other! Email questions to [email protected]; the website is carriagehouse.love

Welcome to Podcast #55, our first anniversary show! What better way to celebrate than with something sparkling? Jayme and I are raising a glass of bubbly as we dive into the fascinating world of sparkling wine production. Did you know there are seven different methods to make sparkling wine? So grab a bottle of Michigan bubbly, pop that cork, and join us as we explore the effervescent world of sparkling wine! Cheers to one year of podcasting!

Guess who's back? Andrew Backlin, that's who! Today, we're diving into the latest buzz at Modales, his side hustle Backlin Wine Consulting, the thriving Michigan wine scene, and what the future holds. Let's uncork some juicy details and toast to what's to come! You can reach Andrew at backlinwineconsulting.com.

Today, Jayme and I have the pleasure of sampling three exquisite Michigan sparkling wines. First up is "Bedazzled," a crisp and dry bubbly white wine from Black Star Farms. Next, we have "Cows on the Beach," a 2022 bubbly Muscat from Chateau Fontaine nestled in the picturesque Leelanau Peninsula. And last but certainly not least, we'll be sipping on "Sparkling White" from Chill Hill winery right here in the Lake Michigan Shore. Make sure to mark your calendars and tune in to our podcast in two weeks, where we'll be delving into the fascinating world of sparkling wine production. Cheers to bubbly adventures ahead! Blackstarfarms.com; chateaufontaine.com; chillhill.net

Dan Nitz is my guest today. Dan owns Arrowhead Vineyards and has started the Nitz Family Vineyards wine label. Arguably the largest wine-grape grower east of the Rocky Mountains, Dan cultivates hundreds of acres of vinifera, hybrids as well as a few acres of juice grapes. nitzwines.com

Jayme and I go full-geek and talk about anthocyanins and Brettanomyces. There's no doubt the science of wine is truly fascinating. Today we share some things we've learned - and some opinions - about these two very different topics. DISCLAIMER: Be sure to do your own research on topics we discuss, particularly when we talk about perceived medical benefits. Enjoy!!

Cody Kresta Winery is making great wine thanks to owner/winemaker David Butkovich and grower/assistant winemaker Robert West. Today we’ll talk about how both of these great winemakers came into the business, discuss their fabulous wines, and some of the secrets behind them. codykrestawinery.com

Jayme and I are tasting three Lake Michigan Shore Merlot. We have one each from Dablon, Karma Vista (now Filkins Vineyards), and Lawton Ridge. We thought they were, respectively, bold, elegant and vibrant. At the end of this episode is a short segment on my experience with decanting. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along. dablon.com, filkinsvineyards.com, lawtonridgewinery.com

Matt Goodell and Emily Goodell are the brother – sister team responsible for much of the operation at Amoritas Vineyards located in the Leelanau Peninsula. amoritasvineyards.com

Jayme and I discuss all of the reasons that Lake Michigan makes it possible for Michigan to be such a fantastic region for growing vinifera and therefore making fantastic wines. Pop open a bottle and listen along.

Nancie Oxley is my guest today. Listen in to this fantastic discussion with Michigan’s first female winemaker, and the head of winemaking at the state’s largest producer, St. Julian. If you have a question for Nancie, send it over to [email protected]. Check out the website at www.stjulian.com.

Jayme and I are tasting three white blends from the State of Michigan. Represented today are Cody Kresta and St. Julian in the Lake Michigan Shore and Rove Estate in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. We were delighted with all three of these delicious and very different wines. https://codykrestawinery.com/ https://rovewinery.com/ https://www.stjulian.com/

Sherry Seston is my guest today. Sherry is probably the newest winemaker here in the Lake Michigan Shore. Her husband Tim and she moved to South Haven from Wisconsin a year ago. In that time they’ve opened a B&B, planted grapes, and started building a winery. Sherry also seized the opportunity to make wine last fall, and her debut vintage release happens this Saturday at the inn. www.mivintageinn.com

Jayme and I talk about legal requirements for wine bottle labels in the United States. We also share our opinions on what we’d also like to see on labels. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along. Here's a resource you can use for reference: https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-label-usa#

Welcome to podcast #42. Kristy Wenz is my guest today. Kristy is a wine and wine travel writer who is no stranger to Michigan wine and the Lake Michigan Shore. She hasn’t just written about our wineries; she has actually worked at two of them. Listen in as we talk about all things Michigan and learn about our unique and special connection. You can read Kristy’s work at her website, https://kristyswinetravels.substack.com/. She also helped produce a video promoting the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail which you can find here, https://miwinetrail.com/

Jayme and I are tasting three Viogniers from the Lake Michigan Shore, and specifically, all from the same area east of Baroda. The Wineries? Domaine Berrien Cellars, Modales, and Stranger Wine Co. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along as we talk about these and even suggest one for breakfast! www.domaineberrien.com www.modaleswines.com www.strangerwineco.com

Tom Knighton is the founder and owner of Blustone Vineyards located on the Leelanau Peninsula northwest of Traverse City. Tom and his team have a beautiful site and equally beautiful wines. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along. www.blustonevineyards.com

Jayme and I are sharing things we look for when we visit a tasting room. We hope this offers insight for you to consider for your next world-class experience. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along.

Meredith George is my guest today. Meredith owns the St. Joe Wine Shoppe, located in the Market in downtown St. Joseph Michigan. Relatively new to wine, Meredith shares about her time at Dablon, her thoughts about Michigan wine, and her support of women winemakers. Listen in as we also cover a broad spectrum of other topics. www.stjoewineshoppe.com

Today's special episode is Amy Birk from Domaine Berrien Cellars returning to the podcast to share a few of her library wines. Listen in as we taste recent vintages of her Wolf’s Prairie Red, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with older versions of the same wine. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and listen in to this captivating discussion. www.domaineberrien.com

Kacey Wierzba and Maddie Vint are my guests today from Shady Lane Cellars located in the Leelanau Peninsula near Traverse City, Michigan. Listen in as the two remarkable winemakers talk about their passions, vineyards and wines. We’ll also hear about numerous awards, the history of the property, and two special dogs, Lola and Frankie. If you have questions for Kacey or Maddie, you can send them to [email protected], or go to the website, www.shadylanecellars.com.

Jayme and I discuss the four types of winemaking – and in particular, the fermentation process – for red, white, rose’ and orange wines. We also share some of our favorite varieties. Pop open of Michigan wine and follow along.

Maxx Eichberg of Stranger Wine Company is my guest today. Maxx and his partner Sidney purchased the vineyard from James Lester – known as the Avonlea vineyard – just 3 years ago. Listen in as we talk about the history, Maxx and Sidney’s unique ackground, regenerative practices and future plans for Stranger. www.strangerwineco.com.

Jayme and I are tasting three amazing Michigan Chardonnays. We have one each from Ciccone, Chateau Chantal and White Pine – each representing the three main Michigan AVAs. We also talk briefly about Riedel glassware and wild turkeys – the bird, not the drink. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along. https://cicconevineyard.com/, https://www.chateauchantal.com/, https://whitepinewinery.com/

Welcome to podcast #32. Brent Kroll is my special guest today. Brent is the Founder and Sommelier of Maxwell Park Wine Bar in Washington DC. With strong Michigan roots, Brent brings a great perspective about Michigan wine. His wine bar recently won special recognition by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, who dubbed the place “Not your typical buttoned up wine bar.” Also, a very special thanks to Miranda Franco, an east coast wine writer who introduced me to Brent. www.maxwellparkdc.com

Today Jayme and I share our opinions about four sub-AVAs of the Lake Michigan Shore, and we highlight a few other Midwest AVAs. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and listen in.

Charlie Edson is the founder of Bel Lago Winery in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. He started planting vineyards in the late 1980s and opened the tasting room in the late 1990s. A special thanks to John Heekin, the new owner of Bel Lago, for introducing Charlie to Steve. Please send inquiries to: [email protected].

Jayme and I are conducting a blind tasting of three Pinot Gris, or Pinot Grigio. Those three come from Pasqua in Italy, Elk Cove in Oregon and Dablon, here in Baroda, Michigan. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and listen in.

In episode #6 I interviewed Bill Schopf, the owner of Dablon, a beautiful winery and tasting room perched on a hill overlooking acres of vineyards. Today Rudy Shafer is my guest. Rudy is the operations manager at Dablon who oversees all vineyard and winery operations. Hear more detail about what’s happening at Dablon and find out about Rudy’s special past-time passion. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and listen along.

Today we close out the series about Michigan grapes. Jayme and I talk about the important place the Concord has in our history. We also discuss other juice grapes, hybrids and vinifera varieties, including Niagara, Catawba, Delaware, Baco Noir, Vidal Blanc and Chardonnay. Follow along with your favorite bottle of Michigan wine.

Lemon Creek Winery celebrates 40 years of business this year. Listen in as Kait Lemon and Jerardo Bocanegra talk about everything from nearly two centuries of history in the area, farming operations, the winery and wines, the tasting room and some of the celebrations planned for the year. In addition to social media, you can contact the winery at [email protected].

Today Jayme and I are tasting three red blends from the Lake Michigan Shore – all from the Baroda region. We have Big Chill Red from Chill Hill, Vineyard Red from Round Barn Winery and Producer’s Cut from Dablon. Pop open a bottle of Michigan wine and follow along! www.chillhill.net www.roundbarn.com www.dablon.com

Dave Miller and his wife Sandy own and operate White Pine Winery with their tasting room located in downtown St. Joseph Michigan. Dave is one of our veterans here in the Lake Michigan Shore. Join us for a deep dive into grape growing techniques and grape varieties and hear more about the great wines Dave and Sandy are serving up at their tasting room. Pop open a bottle and follow along. See their website at www.whitepinewinery.com.