Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/498427
88 WINES&VINES May 2015 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS WINE EAST L ansing, Mich.—The concept of "sustain- ability" is not a new one for vineyards in Michigan. Forty wineries currently par- ticipate in the Michigan Agriculture Environ- mental Assurance Program (MAEAP) for vineyard operations. Now the Michigan industry is looking to extend the sustainability program to include the entire wine industry in the state—not just those growing grapes. Linda Jones, executive director of the Michi- gan Grape and Wine Industry Council, told Wines & Vines that the consulting firm 5 Lakes Energy worked with her organization to get the support of the industry and write a grant application to the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The council was awarded a $75,000 spe- cialty crop block grant to look into developing a sustainability certification program for the state's vineyards and wineries. A steering com- mittee, composed of representatives from vine- yards and wineries, Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MAEAP and the Grape and Wine Council, was established to guide the sustainability project. In November the 5 Lakes Energy firm began creating a survey to determine what "sustain- ability" meant to the grape and wine industry, what individual growers and wineries are currently doing (including participation in MAEAP) and how the concept of sustainability could be extended from grapegrowing to in- clude wineries. The next phase of the project will involve energy audits of 10 wineries that have volun- teered to give benchmark data about their grapegrowing and winemaking operations. 5 Lakes has subcontracted the audits to another Michigan firm, Keen Technical Solutions of Traverse City. Keen will conduct half-day site visits and then compile a report about each winery. That information will be available to the winery involved and to 5 Lakes for inclu- sion in their final report. As part of the sustainability project, the steering committee for the council and repre- sentatives from 5 Lakes Energy have under- taken "best practices" research about different sustainability programs. This will include trips to California, Oregon and Washington state to meet with wineries and members of sustain- ability associations and programs. A report summarizing all the data and re- search done by 5 Lakes Energy is expected to be finished by August. The Council already is making plans for the next steps. Jones submit- ted a grant proposal this spring for Phase 2 of the project, which will focus on "education and engagement." As part of the education component, details of the research in the report by 5 Lakes will be posted on a website in a useful form for winer- ies. One aspect of outreach and engagement will be a one-on-one program where a person from 5 Lakes will meet with vineyards and wineries to discuss current programs that are available, such as the MAEAP for vineyards and grants for energy management. —Linda Jones McKee New Sustainability Program for Michigan? Natural Corks Champagne Corks Twinline Corks Bartops VISION Synthetic Corks G-Cap® Screw Caps Sales Representatives: Chris & Liz Stamp info@lakewoodcork.com lakewoodcork.com 4024 State Route 14 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-9252 607-535-6656 Fax PIONEER INNOVATOR PARTNER Chateau Chantal winemaker Mark Johnson stands by a sign for the Michigan Agriculture Environmen- tal Assurance Program. Michigan may develop a sustainability program for the entire wine industry.