What’s happening: The
Michigan Wine Collaborative has announced that its custom wine-with-a-purpose, The DREAM Wine, is available for purchase online and select retailers starting in February. The Traverse City-headquartered nonprofit will take a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to help fund its Inclusion and Expansion Education Fund.
What it does: The Michigan Wine Collaborative’s Inclusion and Expansion Education Fund will provide education and training for two underrepresented candidates for future career opportunities in the state’s wine industry. This is the first year for The DREAM Wine, and the MWC plans to release a new fundraising wine for the program each year.
Who they are: The MWC features a volunteer board of directors made up of representatives from wineries from throughout the state. The volunteer collaborative was formed by Michigan wineries after the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council transitioned to the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, filling the gap that the transition created.
Why it’s important: “The DREAM Project is an important step in the unification of the Michigan wine industry providing opportunity and awareness to all people and a starting point for universal access to what Michigan wine offers in both employment and enjoyment of Michigan wine for all people,” says Chuck Jackson, chairman of the MWC’s Inclusion and Expansion Committee and owner of Domaine Detroit Brands.
About the wine: The DREAM Wine is a white wine blend now available for purchase
online and at Meijer, Total Wine & More, House of Pure Vin, GRNoir Wine & Jazz, and other Michigan retailers. It was created in collaboration by GRNoir Wine & Jazz of Grand Rapids; Domaine Detroit Brands and House of Pure Vin of Detroit; Drew Ryan Wines of Southfield; and Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn of Traverse City.
What they’re saying: “This wine is a beautiful white blend based on Pinot Blanc, which is a grape that I believe has a real future in Michigan wine,” says Peter King, winemaker at start-up winery Drew Ryan Wines of Southfield and MWC board member.
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