I’m honored to welcome Sarah Spoonholtz, a key leader at the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the familiar voice of our podcast’s introductions and closings. Sarah and I take a fresh look at Southwest Michigan’s wine industry, sharing perspectives beyond the usual narratives. As a MoodyOnTheMarket 40-Under-40 honoree, Sarah exemplifies leadership, passion, and the art of building meaningful connections. At the end of my conversation with Sarah, stay for an exclusive conversation with Maxx Eichberg, co-owner of Stranger Wine Co., as he gives us a sneak peek at his soon-to-open tasting room in downtown Buchanan, an exciting milestone for Michigan wine. For more information: smrchamber.com or contact Sarah at sspoonholtz@smrchamber.com or (269) 932-4040.

Welcome to Michigan Wine Month! As we celebrate the bounty and richness of Michigan’s wine heritage, there are few people better suited to lead us into this exciting month than Brian Lillie. Known for his multifaceted expertise, Brian offers top-tier wine concierge services through his company, Brian Lillie & Company. Whether you’re looking for virtual or in-person wine tasting events, assistance with wine cellar procurement and consolidation, guided wine travel, or industry training, Brian has you covered. Learn more about his offerings at brianlillieandcompany.com.

Today’s guest is Emily Dockery, Executive Director of the Michigan Wine Collaborative. Emily shares her insights into the vital work of the Collaborative, which supports Michigan’s wine industry through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and education. Learn more about the initiatives connecting wineries, growers, and wine lovers across the state, and discover how Michigan is making its mark in the world of wine. Also included in the episode is a special segment with Stranger Wine Co. co-owner Maxx Eichberg.

Discover Michigan's wine scene! Explore more at:

• michiganwinecollaborative.com

• tastemichigan.org

• michiganwinecollaborative.com/vintage-michigan

Find local wine events:

• michiganwinecollaborative.com/category/events

• vintagemichigan.wildapricot.org/events

Have questions? Contact Emily at info@michiganwinecollaborative.com

Join Steve on this episode of If Vines Could Talk as he interviews Jason Menken, owner of The Bottle Run, Southwest Michigan’s premier boutique winery tour service. Combining his marketing expertise with a passion for wine, Jason has built a business that takes wine enthusiasts on curated journeys through the region’s beautiful vineyards and wineries. Discover the artistry behind The Bottle Run and how Jason is shaping the local wine tourism experience. For more information, check out thebottlerun.com or contact Jason directly at jason@btlrun.com

Join Jayme and me as we conduct a comparative tasting of three exquisite Rosés from the Lake Michigan Shore. With Easter approaching, these wines are perfect additions to your celebration. Go back and explore the art of Rosé production in Episode #35. In this episode, we taste:

- Domaine Berrien Rosé 2022

- Lawton Ridge Rosé 2022

- Veritas Estate Beach Day Rosé 2023

For more details, visit domaineberrien.com,lawtonridgewinery.com, and mivintageinn.com.

Today, I welcome back Brian Lillie to the show. Brian wears many hats as a true advocate of Michigan wine. In this episode, we will explore his role as Vice President of Hospitality Operations and Distribution at Chateau Chantal. Recorded in October, we delve into the rich history of this renowned winery and much more. For more information, visit chateauchantal.com or contact blillie@chateauchantal.com.

Today’s guest is Liana Smith, a soon-to-be graduate of the master's program in Sustainable Viticulture & Enology at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy. Liana plans to return to Michigan to apply her expertise in sustainable winegrowing later this year. In this episode, we will define key terms related to sustainable winegrowing and discuss sustainable practices within the industry. For more information, visit lianarosewine.com or contact Liana directly at lianarosevines@gmail.com.