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What’s Happening This Holiday Season at Journeyman & The American Factory

Distiller Spirits, Distilleries, Gin, Journeyman Distillery, Lake Michigan, Whiskey

COMEDY ON THE ROCKS

Location: The American Factory (258 South Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385)
Date: Friday, December 27th
Time: 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm CT
Price: $22/person, must be 21+
Tickets: Available here
Details: Head to The American Factory for an evening of laughs and libations at Comedy on the Rocks. Journeyman welcomes Dave Dyer, a regular on The Bob & Tom Show and a former writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, alongside Will Green, a New England comedy scene fixture who has performed at festivals such as Gilda’s LaughFest and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival. Bring your friends, enjoy cocktails made with Journeyman’s award-winning spirits, and kick back for a fun evening of comedy.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE FEATHERBONE FACTORY

Location: The Featherbone Factory (109 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128)
Date: Tuesday, December 31st
Time: Staymaker Prix-fixe Dinner: 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm ET, NYE Dance Party 9:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET
Price: Prix-fixe dinner: $75/person, NYE Dance Party: $40/person
Tickets: Available here.
Details: Begin your NYE celebrations at Staymaker Restaurant with a three-course prix-fixe meal paired with signature Journeyman cocktails. Afterward, join the dance party for music, drinks, and dancing. Each dance party ticket includes access to the event, a welcome cocktail, two drink tickets, and a midnight toast. Additional drink tickets are available for $10 each or five for $40

MEET THE MAKERS: ART OF DISTILLING
WHERE: The American Factory, 258 South Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385
DATE: January 19
TIME: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. CT
RESERVATIONS: Here
DETAILS: In the final installment of Journeyman’s Meet the Makers series, join Head Distiller Jacob Rippetoe and founders Bill and Johanna Welter for an up-close look at how Journeyman crafts its award-winning spirits. Taking place at The American Factory, this free event offers the chance to experience the art and history behind Journeyman while sampling their signature spirits and cocktails.

BURNS NIGHT: A SUPPER OF CELEBRATION

WHERE: The Featherbone Factory, 109 Generations Dr. Three Oaks, MI 49128

DATE: January 25
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET
RESERVATIONS: Here
DETAILS: Journeyman is honoring national Scottish poet Robert Burns’ birthday with an authentic Burns Night Supper at The Featherbonr Factory. The team will set the mood accordingly with a candlelit ambiance, bagpipe music, poetry readings, and hearty Scottish dishes. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample unreleased single-malt whiskeys crafted by Journeyman while enjoying a cozy winter celebration of one of Scotland’s most beloved poets. Each guest will leave with a 200-mL bottle of Silver Cross Four Grain Whiskey. Tickets are $80 per person, and attendees must be 21 or older to attend.

ZERO PROOF GIN & N/A COCKTAIL OFFERINGS

WHERE: The Featherbone Factory, 109 Generations Dr. Three Oaks, MI 49128 and The American Factory, 258 South Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385
DETAILS: Just in time for Dry January, Journeyman has released a zero-proof version of their beloved Field Gin — crafted in collaboration with Chicago’s iconic Field Museum of Chicago. An ideal bar cart addition, the non-alcoholic spirit has tasting notes of herbs, sweet berry, citrus, cucumber, juniper and coriander, providing a classic gin-like profile with a crisp and clean finish. Available for $34.99/bottle, the Zero Proof Field Gin can be purchased at both locations in Three Oaks and Valparaiso and will be available on Journeyman’s website. Plus, the Journeyman team is using the new spirit to shake up some tempting non-alcoholic cocktails available at their campus restaurants in Valparaiso, Indiana and Three Oaks, Michigan. Sips include the Dirtless Martini with N/A Field Gin, olive juice and blue cheese olives, the N/A Lavender Gimlet with lavender simple syrup, lime and grapefruit juice, and the N/A Ramos Gin Fizz with lemon juice, soda and foamy egg white.

ALERT: Virtue Cider Enters New Era with Independent Ownership, Revamped Culinary Programming and More

Cidery, Farm-to-Table, Farms, Fennville, Lake Michigan, Virtue Cider

Virtue Cider founder Gregory Hall, a pioneer in the farmhouse cider industry and a major player in Southwest Michigan’s craft beverage landscape, has repurchased the proper farmhouse cider brand from beer titan Anheuser-Busch. Nestled in the distinctive fruit-growing terroir of coastal Southwest Michigan, which Greg deems the “Napa Valley of cider making,”

Virtue Cider is taking its sustainable old-world production methods back to its independent roots, bringing the brand’s deep commitment to clean, high-quality ciders to new heights with a series of announcements for the new era. These include a full distribution overhaul, a farmhouse tasting room renovation coupled with a new menu direction, guest chef dinners, local artist collaborations and a reinvigorated direct-to-drinker subscription service delivering sustainable sips nationwide.

“My heart and soul have always been devoted to crafting independent beverages that connect with our local community,” says Hall. “I’ve poured myself into building both Goose Island and Virtue Cider on this foundation, guided by a passion for creativity and collaboration. As Virtue Cider enters this new chapter, I’m excited to return to our roots, refine our winemaker’s approach to craft cider, and rediscover the sense of independence that inspires us and helps us grow.”

Following his 20-year tenure at Goose Island Beer Company, founded by his father John Hall, Greg immersed himself in European cider culture, soaking up time-honored techniques from some of England and France’s top cider craftsmen. He brought that same spirit home to the United States, purchasing the brand’s Fennville, Michigan farm in 2011 and building a haven for craft cider production anchored in two ingredients: apples and time.

Hall sold a 51% stake in Virtue Cider to Anheuser-Busch in 2015 and reacquired the brand in late summer 2024. A constant throughout Virtue Cider’s history, the brand will continue to use only local heirloom fruit with absolutely no added sugar, uplifting the apple farmers of the Midwest’s “Cider Coast” and raising a glass to sustainable Michigan-made sips.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN VIRTUE CIDER’S NEW CHAPTER:

Once again embracing its spirit of independence, Virtue Cider is leaving big beer-backed cans on grocery store shelves behind and committing to 750 ML bottles, only available at Virtue Farm or through the brand’s robust direct-to-drinker shipping program.
In tandem, Hall will stay true to his love of grassroots relationship development in the chef community, pouring new seasonal releases and beloved bottle varieties at intimate gatherings inside some of the Midwest’s best chef-driven restaurants.
Hall will also welcome some of the nation’s most prominent culinary talents to Fennville for guest chef dinners with fine cider pairings, embracing the local bounty of the micro-region.
On the 48-acre Virtue Farm, the tasting room will undergo extensive renovations and welcome a vibrant new food program, with a menu refresh to align with the brand’s wine-making approach to cider. Menu details are forthcoming but will focus on seasonal, homestyle comforts made with regionally sourced ingredients.
Hall and his team are also excited to continue nurturing their direct-to-drinker and Cider Society subscription box programs, delivering proper farmhouse cider from the fermentation tank to the front porch. Cider enthusiasts in 43 states across the country can give the gift of Michigan cider to themselves and their loved ones with access to holiday boxes and exclusive seasonal releases.
Virtue Cider has also forged new partnerships with local musicians and makers through amped-up live music programming at Virtue Farm and merchandise and cider label partnerships with acclaimed regional artists. Tony Fitzpatrick, whose work has been showcased at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, is the first of many Midwest artists to join the list of collaborators.

More details on Virtue Cider’s upcoming craft cider releases, renovations, events, and more to be released in 2025. For more information, follow Virtue Cider on Instagram or visit the website at www.virtuecider.com.

ABOUT VIRTUE CIDER: Located on a 48-acre farm in Fennville, Michigan, Virtue Cider is a craft cider company committed to creating exceptional farmhouse ciders that blend old-world traditions with modern cider fermentation and aging techniques. Embracing a deep-rooted respect for sustainable practices and local partnerships, Virtue was founded in 2011 by Gregory Hall, who brought two decades of innovation and an impressive collection of 14 consecutive Great American Beer Festival medals from his tenure as head brewmaster at Goose Island Beer Company.

After his time at Goose Island, Hall set out on a pilgrimage to the cider capitals of England and France to study time-honored European cider-making traditions, and Virtue was born. Virtue Farm, Virtue Cider’s headquarters, is specifically located in the heart of one of the country’s premier apple-growing regions, known as the Midwest’s “Cider Coast.” Hall has cultivated a deep bench of local farming partners, using the bounty of the highest quality Midwestern heirloom apples to craft a collection of crisp, complex, award-winning ciders, which never contain added sugar.

Apples are pressed on-site and fermented in tanks below ground to maintain a steady temperature, housed within three cider houses with architecture that emulates the Norman French style and a strong environmental focus. Virtue Cider’s farm is open year-round and is a vibrant destination for visitors, offering scenic trails, a tasting room featuring a seasonal menu and samples of a variety of ciders, cider flights, and more from their extensive portfolio. For more information on Virtue Cider, please visit www.virtuecider.com.

ABOUT VIRTUE FARM: Virtue Farm, located in Fennville, Michigan, is a 48-acre farm and the destination headquarters of Virtue Cider. Three Norman French-style cider houses, built with Michigan White Pine, hold Virtue’s below-ground fermentation tanks, which use only locally sourced apples and are naturally cooled and heated by the region’s climate.

Most of the farm’s electricity is sourced from 200 solar panels, just one piece of the farm’s vast commitment to sustainability and nourishing its community. Over 20 acres of the farm are grasslands, creating a monarch waystation for Michigan pollinators, and the farm is home to several Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, harking back to old orchard folklore, as well as a variety of chickens. Virtue Farm also features a full tasting room with cider flights, handhelds, and charcuterie selections, offers guided tastings and tours for visitors, hosts live music, and supplies seasonal bottle selections for Virtue Cider’s national Cider Society subscription service.

For more information on Virtue Farm, please visit www.virtuecider.com.

Article: Goose Island’s Greg Hall Reclaims Virtue Cider From Anheuser Busch-InBev

Cidery, Fennville, Virtue Cider

Goose Island’s Greg Hall Reclaims Virtue Cider From Anheuser Busch-InBev https://flip.it/AYVldS

Join in a Friendsgiving Dinner at Virtue Cider

Cidery, Drink, Fennville, Holiday, Holiday dining, Holiday events, Holiday Travel, Michigan Wines, Thanksgiving, Virtue Cider

On Saturday, November 23rd, from 6-9 pm, join Virtue founder Greg Hall for an evening of feasting, proper farmhouse cider tastings, and live music. Hosted in the cider tasting room at the beautiful 48-acre Virtue Farm in Fennville, guests can dig into roasted turkey and seasonal sides all paired with curated cider selections — a perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving with your closest friends before heading home for the holiday.

Plus, those still searching for a Thanksgiving Day housewarming gift can pick up one of Virtue’s Thanksgiving Cider Boxes, which contain four 750 ml bottles of old-world, autumnal craft ciders. Each box is $125 and will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets for the evening are $100 and can be found on Tock. Must be 21+ to attend.

All photos courtesy of Virtue Cider.

FRIENDSGIVING WITH VIRTUE CIDER FOUNDER GREG HALL

https://virtuecider.com/ | 2170 62nd Street Fennville, MI

DATE: Saturday, November 23rd

TIME: 6-9 pm

TICKETS: $100 per person, available for purchase here.

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Zachary Engel of MICHELIN-Starred Galit & Ex. Chef James Galbraith Create a Special One Night Only Menu at New Buffalo’s PostBoy

Chefs, Farm-to-Table Restaurant, James Galbraith, Michelin, PostBoy, Restaurants, Uncategorized, Zachary Engel

Chef James Galbraith.

PostBoy, Southwest Michigan’s long-awaited chef-driven restaurant from Ben Holland and Chef James Galbraith (Anemel, Houndstooth), fresh off their November 1st opening. Now, they’re hitting the ground running by welcoming a star-studded lineup of the region’s best chefs through their doors, kicking the collaborative dinners off with Chicago’s James Beard Award-winning Chef Zachary Engel of MICHELIN-Starred Galit on Sunday, November 17th.

Chef Zachary Engel

Chef James and Chef Zachary will be combining their culinary talents through a multi-course wine dinner, featuring items like Galit’s beloved hummus with roasted lamb bulgogi banchan, a cucumber and melon salad with ramps, and smoked turkey shawarma with sweet potato and medjool date. As Southwest Michigan continues to make a name for itself in the national culinary landscape, this ticketed dinner will be an exclusive chance to taste the work of one of Chicago’s most revered chefs and New Buffalo’s newest trailblazer all under one roof.

Full details of the dinner are below, and tickets can be purchased via Tock HERE.

DATE: Sunday, November 17

TIME: 6:30 p.m. ET

DETAILS: Guests will taste the collaboration between MICHELIN-starred Galit’s Zachary Engel and PostBoy’s James Galbraith during a multi-course wine dinner, with canapes, dueling dishes and delectable desserts. Items will include snacks like foie gras with toasty challah and last summer’s Michigan cherries, cucumber salad with melon and last year’s ramps, smoked turkey shawarma with sweet potato and Medjool date, and beyond.

TICKETS: $120 per person with a $50 wine supplement, prior to tax and gratuity. Tickets available via Tock HERE.

Apple Fest 2024: A Celebration of Fall at Virtue Cider

Cidery, Events, Family Excursions, Fennville

As leaves begin to swirl in a kaleidoscope of fall colors and apples ripen in hues of yellows, reds, and greens, it’s time to celebrate Southwest Michigan’s harvest at Apple Fest 2024. Hosted by award winning Virtue Cider, enjoy live music, orchard and farm tours, tastings of their proper farmhouse cider, and much more on their sustainable solar-powered farm.

The festivities kick off on Saturday, October 12th from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST (2170 62nd St., Fennville, MI) with live bands, a pig roast, face painting, and a bustling bonfire where guests can relish the crisp autumn air while exploring the charming Norman French-style cider houses. The celebration continues on Sunday, October 13th from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. EST with a variety of programming open to all ages. Guests over 21 have the option to delve into the world of cider making with founder Gregory Hall and Virtue’s cidermakers on a production tour, exploring the intricacies of the fermentation, blending, and barrel-aging processes — or talk all things apples and proper farmhouse cider on a guided cider tasting.

Guests of all ages can also join a guided farm and orchard tour to experience Virtue Farm’s flora and fauna, visit the heritage breed animals, and meander amongst the orchards. No reservations or entry fees are required for this exciting celebration, but those interested in booking tours and guided tastings can do so in advance on Virtue’s website here.

ABOUT VIRTUE CIDER: Founded in 2013 by award-winning Goose Island Beer Company brewmaster Gregory Hall, Virtue Cider crafts proper farmhouse cider from local heirloom fruit on a sustainable solar-powered farm in Fennville, Michigan. Following a two-month pilgrimage to study the craft of cider in England and France, Hall brought traditional techniques from faraway lands to Virtue Farm, located in one of the country’s best apple-growing climates.

The Norman French-style cider houses are located on over 48 acres of grasslands, surrounded by an array of Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs and chickens, and house several below-ground fermentation tanks, naturally cooled and heated by the Michigan climate.

Virtue Farm also features a full taproom with tasting flights, handhelds, and charcuterie selections, offers guided tastings and tours, and supplies seasonal bottle selections for Virtue Cider’s national Cider Society subscription service.

For more information on Virtue Cider, please visit www.virtuecider.com.

Photos courtesy of Virtue Cider.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE OLD MISSION PENINSULA WINE TRAIL MAC & CHEESE BAKE-OFF

Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan Wines, Northern Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula, winery

This November, taste your way through Old Mission Peninsula during the annual Mac & Cheese Bake-Off! Spend the day with family and friends touring the rolling hills and stunning views as the OMP Wine Trail Wineries once again partner with local chefs for a favorite wine and food pairing event that’s perfect for cheese lovers on Saturday, November 30th from 10am-5pm.

The Mac & Cheese Bake-off pairs the exquisite wines of Old Mission Peninsula with deliciously unique macaroni and cheese recipes from local chefs partnered with each of the ten OMP Wine Trail wineries. Each dish will be expertly paired with an Old Mission Peninsula wine from the partner winery along with special wine features, discounts, and more. Event goers are in control of the competition—each given the important task to vote for their favorites: best pairing, cheesiest dish, and best overall. Winners will receive their rightful place in history as winners of the 2024 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off.

Arriving on the heels of Thanksgiving, this annual event lets you break the monotony of leftovers to indulge in a classic, cheesy, comfort food. “Our favorite part is the creativity that the chefs show in their interpretations of macaroni and cheese, and how each pairs with the wine,” comments Caitlin Hammond, Director of Operations at Peninsula Cellars. “We love showcasing Traverse City’s great culinary talent and feel so lucky that local families and friends continue to make our wineries a part of their holiday traditions.” Tickets for the 2024 Great Mac & Cheese Bake-Off are now available. This is a sell-out event with a limited number of tickets available.

Tickets include a souvenir glass in addition to food and wine pairings. New this year, attendees can purchase the Noodle Fanatic Package to receive macaroni merchandise along with their ticket! Designated Driver tickets are also available for purchase. (DD ticket holders do not receive a souvenir glass, but tickets do include food and non-alcoholic beverages.)

Participating wineries include 2 Lads, Black Star Farms on Old Mission Peninsula, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, Hawthorne Vineyards, Peninsula Cellars, Mari Vineyards, and Tabone Vineyards.

For additional information and to purchase tickets visit ompwinetrail.com/wine-trail-events/

The Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail, a collection of ten distinct wineries, is an unparalleled experience on the Old Mission Peninsula of Traverse City, Michigan. Stretching 19 miles into Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, the peninsula is only four miles wide at its broadest point. Old Mission Peninsula’s stunning appellation and proximity to Lake Michigan provide not only an ideal climate for growing varietal wine grapes, but a breathtaking travel destination as well.

For your enjoyment, here’s a winning recipe and wine pairing from the past.

Winner: Best Pairing

Smokehouse Mac Shack Taco Mac & Cheese with Mari Vineyards 2016

Scriptorium Riesling

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef
1/4 cup chopped lettuce
1 chopped tomato
1/2 chopped yellow onion
2 cups of your favorite noodles
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons of flour
Salt & pepper to taste
Taco seasoning
Scallions & sour cream for garnish

Instructions

Add chopped onion to oil in a skillet. Cook until translucent.

Add ground beef and taco seasoning and cook through, and drain of oil and set aside.

Cook noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a new pan, add butter, flour, salt, and pepper to create a roux. Add cheddar cheese. Add heavy cream

until sauce is creamy.

Add noodles to cheese sauce & stir.

On a plate, layer corn chips. Add 1/3 cup of Mac & cheese mixture, and 1/4 cup of ground beef.

Top with chopped lettuce, tomato, and scallions.

Add a dollop of sour cream and enjoy.

US Among Top Wine Destinations: New Global Ranking Revealed

Baden Baden, Baden-Württemberg, California, California Wine, Champagne, Culinary Trails, Historic foodways, Michigan Wines, Oberkirch, Old Mission Peninsula, Round Barn Estates, Saxon Wine Trail, South America, Sustainable wineries, Uncategorized, winery

France ranks first in the list of top destinations for wine lovers with the highest amount of wine production, contributing to the highest wine consumption per capita as well.
Spain has the largest vineyard area, at 945K hectares, supporting a wine production of 2,833 million liters.
Argentina offers the most affordable mid-range wine at $4.00 per bottle.

Ubuy recently analyzed more than 50 countries to identify the best for wine lovers. Key factors included wine production volume, consumption per capita, vineyard areas, wine imports, and the price of mid-range bottles. The composite score was calculated considering all five metrics for each country.

Country	Population	Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) (Markets)	Wine Consumption per Capita	Vineyard Surface Area (in hectares)	Wine Production (millions of liters)	Wine Imports (millions of liters)	Composite Score
France	64,756,584	$8.70	53.7	792,023	4,803	595	88.09
Italy	58,743,490	$7.62	40.3	719,955	3,829	203	73.37
Spain	47,486,443	$7.62	29.3	945,061	2,833	54	67.65
Germany	83,264,727	$6.52	25.2	103,687	860	1,357	61.03
Portugal	10,229,884	$5.44	50.3	182,000	752	297	57.78
United States	341,347,980	$15.00	13.9	391,538	2,429	1,227	54.06
United Kingdom	67,903,439	$12.05	27.5	3,800	–	1,233	50.08
Argentina	45,985,165	$4.00	24.0	204,847	881	1	46.79
Chile	19,651,487	$5.52	21.8	172,000	1,103	2	44.73
China	1,425,341,345	$13.86	–	755,719	317	249	43.80

France ranks first among the top countries for wine lovers, with a composite score of 88.09. The country has the highest wine production, which contributes to its also having the highest wine consumption per capita at 53.7. With one of the highest vineyard surface areas at 792 thousand hectares, France secured its top spot in the list.

Finca Villacreces, a winery on the Ribera del Duero Wine Trail in Spain.

Italy ranks second with a composite score of 73.37. Italian vineyards, covering 719 thousand hectares, contribute to wine production, while Italians enjoy a strong 40.3 liters per capita annually. The price per mid-range bottle in Italy is $7.62.

Muelas Winery in the Medieval city of Tordesillas, Spain. Photo: Jane Simon Ammeson.

Spain is the third country on the list for wine lovers, with a composite score of 67.65. Its high position is secured by its largest vineyard area, at 945 thousand hectares, supporting a wine production of 2,833 million liters. People drink an average of 29.3 liters of wine per person, enjoying bottles priced at $7.62.

Julius Renner Weinhaus, Oberkirche, Germany. Photo: Jane Simon Ammeson

With a composite score of 61.03, Germany is fourth, thanks to its wine imports of 1,357 million liters, which is the highest on the list. With its diverse preferences, the German market enjoys mid-range wines priced at $6.52 per bottle.

Portugal, with a composite score of 57.78, is the fifth country on the list for wine lovers. The country earned its position by having the second-highest per capita wine consumption, at 50.3 liters, with 752 million liters of wine produced from 182,000 hectares of vineyards.

Round Barn Winery in Baroda, Michigan. Photo: Jane Simon Ammeson.

The United States is ranked sixth on the list of the top countries for wine lovers, scoring 54.06. Although it has the third highest number of wine imports, the country has the lowest consumption rate at 13.9 liters per person and the highest price for a mid-range bottle at $15.

The United Kingdom comes in seventh place, with a composite score of 50.08. The country has the smallest vineyard area, at only 3,800 hectares, which explains why it has the second-highest wine import volume, totaling 1,233 million liters. The UK’s wine consumption per capita stands at 27.5 liters, with a higher mid-range bottle price of $12.05.

Argentina ranks seventh with a composite score of 46.79. It offers the most affordable mid-range wine at $4.00 per bottle. The country has 204 thousand hectares of vineyards, producing 881 million liters of wine. Argentina’s wine consumption is high at 24.0 liters per capita.

https://www.totalwine.com/wine/chile/c/000271Chile claims the ninth spot with a score of 43.80. The country offers a slightly higher mid-range wine price at $5.52 per bottle compared to Argentina. Chile’s vineyards span 172K hectares, supporting a wine production of 1,103 million liters. Although wine consumption per capita is lower at 21.8 liters, Chile effectively uses its vineyard space to produce quality wines.

China is rounding up the list of the top countries for wine lovers, with a composite score of 44.73. China’s wine production is relatively low at 317 million liters despite having a large vineyard area of 755,719 hectares.

Information courtesy of https://www.ubuy.fr/en/

2024 Field to Vase Dinner $50 Discount

Elegant dining, Gourmet, Michigan Wines, Uncategorized, winery

The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is thrilled to announce a second partnership with Certified American Grown for the 2024 Field to Vase Dinner at Creekside Growers in Middleville, Michigan on Saturday, September 15.

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Creekside Growers, this Field to Vase Dinner promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the artistry of local wine paired with the beauty of locally grown flowers, the bounty of Michigan’s agriculture, and the culinary delights that highlight the best of local produce. Guests will dine amidst the blooming fields, enjoying a farm-to-table meal that showcases the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Farmhouse Deli. Photo courtesy of Farmhouse Deli.

Michigan Wine Collaborative member wineries Modales, Domaine Berrien, and MAWBY will be providing the wines for the dinner. prepared by Chef Christine Ferris of Farmhouse Deli in Douglas, Michigan. Guests will delight in a curated menu that emphasizes local and sustainable ingredients, and of course expertly paired with local and sustainable wines.

https://lpwines.com/The featured wines are produced with 100% Michigan fruit grown in Southwest Michigan by Modales from the Fennville AVA along with Domaine Berrien in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA and MAWBY representing the Leelanau Peninsula AVA.

Southwest Michigan is home to two of the state’s AVAs with Fennville being the oldest AVA in Michigan and the third to be established in the United States. Modales calls Fennville home. Their commitment to sustainable and regenerative agriculture and to the people who make the finished wines possible shine through in each glass of wine produced on the estate.

Their neighbors to the south, Domaine Berrien, are the first and only Rhone Rangers not only in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA but the entire Midwest. Specializing in the Rhone Valley varietals, Syrah, Viognier, Rousanne, and Marsanne, Domaine Berrien also hosts a wide array of vinifera and hybrid varieties.

Representing Leelanau Peninsula AVA is another significant producer, MAWBY, who planted its first vines in 1973. MAWBY is the authority on sparkling wine production in Michigan. For 50 years MAWBY has helped Michigan sparkle. With an emphasis on classic production techniques, sustainable farming methods and quality customer service.

These three producers are coming together to provide a variety of wines for Field to Vase that will represent the diversity and prestige of the Michigan wine industry. Just like the flowers and the food, the wine will be 100% local as well as expertly paired.

“This collaboration of agriculture, artistry, and passion will prove to be a vibrant experience that guests of the dinner will cherish for years to come.” Says Emily Dockery, Executive Director of the Michigan Wine Collaborative, “We hope that these guests will form an emotional connection with Michigan wine that inspires them into planning trips to Michigan wine country regularly and emboldens them to demand local wines at their favorite wine shops, retailers, and restaurants.”

Tickets for the Field to Vase Dinner at Creekside Growers are limited and expected to sell out quickly. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary event. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite page.

About Certified American Grown. Certified American Grown is a diverse community of cut flower and foliage farmers from across the

United States. As the voice for domestic farms, CAG works towards sustainability and prosperity through a unified voice, effective advocacy, and strategic promotion. Certified American Grown flower and foliage farms participate in an independent, third-party supply-chain audit to verify both origin and assembly of the flowers and foliage grown. When it appears on bouquets, bunches, packaging or signage, the iconic brand mark instills consumer confidence in place of origin. For more information about Certified American Grown, visit americangrownflowers.org.

The Michigan Wine Collaborative is the voice of the Michigan wine industry. Our mission is to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers, and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations.

For media inquiries and more information, contact us by reaching out to info@michiganwinecollaborative.com or send us a message on social media.

Special savings of $50 on the dinner.

Voting Michigan Wine Collaborative Members and Premium Vintage Michigan members are eligible for exclusive discounts on admission to the dinner. Those members will be emailed instructions for purchasing discounted tickets. Feel free to CONTACT US for that code or Join M WC OR Vintage Michigan to unlock benefits and discounts all year long!

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This August Join Journeyman’s Meet the Makers Series

Distiller Spirits, Distilleries, Journeyman Distillery, The American Factory

MEET THE MAKERS SERIES

WHERE: The American Factory 258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso IN 46385

TIME: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

TICKETS: Free, Available Here.

DETAILS: Discover the unique heritage behind Journeyman Distillery at their Meet the Makers series, a FREE educational event hosted at The American Factory. Hosted on select Saturdays, guests will have the opportunity to meet the talented team at Journeyman and learn the art of distilling, cocktail creation, scratch cooking, and craft brewing and sample some of Journeyman’s award-winning spirits and cocktails. Upcoming Meet the Makers sessions in August include:

Cocktail Creation with Daniel Lagestee, Tish Wlodarkczyk, and Bill and Johanna Welter on August 10th
Distilling with Jacob Rippetoe and Bill and Johanna Welter on August 17th

DIRTY BOOTS COUNTRY NIGHT

DATE: August 17

WHERE: The American Factory 258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso IN 46385

TIME: 6:00 pm – 12:00 am

TICKETS: $25/per person, Available Here.

DETAILS: Giddy up boys and girls! Grab your cowboy boots and hats and head over to The American Factory for an evening of dancing, cocktails, and live country music. Hosted in the campus’ East Room, come dressed in your best Western attire and enjoy line dancing lessons and live country music from Steel Country. Tickets are $25/person and include admission to the event, complimentary line dancing instruction, a welcome cocktail, and a drink ticket.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES

DATE: Weekly on Saturday

TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

WHERE: The American Factory 258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso IN 46385

DETAILS: Head over to The American Factory’s outdoor courtyard to enjoy FREE live music every Saturday night. Grab your friends and family to enjoy the warm summer weather and support local music acts like Pablo Balldetti, Marco Villarreal, Sarah Archer, Ric Fierabracci, and Frank Rovolli.

POLYNESIAN CHEF’S DINNER

DATE: August 23rd

WHERE: The Featherbone Factory 109 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128

TIME: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

TICKETS: $45/person, available here.

DETAILS: Escape to a tropical paradise at Journeyman’s Polynesian Dinner, the latest installment of their Chef Dinner Series. Chef Amanda Salas is dishing out a flavorful lineup of island-inspired dishes paired with cocktails made with Journeyman’s award-winning spirits. The team will be setting up a variety of buffets including a Polynesian Pig Buffet with hearty offerings like Roasted Pork Loin with roasted pineapple and Pulled Pork served with Polynesian barbecue sauce and Hawaiian Rolls and a cold buffet with sides like Shrimp Poke and Tropical Fruit Salad. For dessert, indulge in a variety of delectable sweets like Pina Colada Panna Cotta and Chocolate Macadamia Nut Tarts. Tickets are $45/person and can be purchased here.