| It’s hard to believe that summer is almost half over. It still feels like Wei and I just returned from China. Summer has been busy, with family time, visits to southwest Michigan wineries and tasting rooms, a quick trip through the Upper Peninsula. We’ve truly enjoyed so much beautiful weather. It helps you remember why Michigan is such a great place to be this time of year. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the weather as much as we have. In fact, I’m writing this newsletter on a sunny, clear afternoon in the backyard, looking out over the vineyards behind our home. It’s one of those calm Michigan days that reminds me how lucky Wei and I are to live in such a beautiful place. This quarterly update includes news about the podcast, Wine at the Vineyard, upcoming events, and a few other things worth sharing. |
| PODCAST RELEASE SCHEDULE CHANGES |
| Next week marks the third anniversary of the podcast, and I’m grateful to everyone who has become a loyal listener. It seems that every time I speak with someone new in the Michigan wine scene, they’ve at least heard of the show, and most have become regular listeners. I’m also grateful for the feedback that has helped me make steady improvements over time. As one listener puts it, the quality of the programming has clearly improved over the three years. With this in mind, the podcast is moving away from a weekly schedule and shifting to a quality‑focused approach. Release timing will depend on securing strong interviews and producing conversations that meet the standard this project is built on. Episodes will continue to be released early on Thursdays, likely every 2-3 weeks. This change also allows me to keep the broader work behind the show moving without forcing episodes out just to hit a calendar. Thank you to everyone who values the work and continues with me as the podcast evolves, and if you know of someone who would be great to have on the show, drop me a note. |
| UPCOMING EPISODES |
| August 6, 2026 Episode 160: Mimmo Musumeci – Ca’Musu August 20, 2026 Episode 161: Emmy Sue Neighbors – Building Forsu September 3, 2026 Episode 162: Sam Smiertka – Blue Dot September 17, 2026 Episode 163: Lori Herron – Social Vines Schedule subject to change. Stay tuned for more very special guests to be announced! |
| WINE AT THE VINEYARD |
| Wine at the Vineyard keeps rolling along. May, June, and July brought lively evenings with Michigan wine in May, bubbles in June, and rosé in July. It has been a fun stretch of summer tasting. This event takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at our home. Here are the upcoming dates and themes. August 25: Aromatic Whites, fragrant late summer whites. September 22: Cool Climate Reds, bright early fall reds. October 27: Harvest Whites, fuller bodied whites. November 24: Holiday Wines, wines suited for gatherings and holiday evenings. Note that October and November are weather dependent. Wine at the Vineyard is open to anyone who is 21 or older. If you know someone who would enjoy the evening, please send their name and email address to me. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
| Three events where I am presenting are scheduled. – Wednesday, August 5 at 7:15 AM: “The True History of Michigan Wine,” the story of Michigan wine for the Benton Harbor Sunshine Rotary. – Monday, August 10 at 12:00 PM: The same program as above for the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Rotary in St. Joseph.Friday, – September 25 at 6:00 PM: leading an evening of tasting paired with Michigan wine history at Lake Michigan Vintners in Benton Harbor. Interested in joining the LMV event on September 25? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drinking-history-the-real-history-of-michigan-wine-tickets-1992489912966 My history talk is perfect for your organization or non-profit. Make it even better by including wine! Contact me for details. |
| EXCLUSIVE SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN WINE COUNTRY TOURS WITH THE BOTTLE RUN |
| Just this month I had the chance twice to head out with Jason Menken and the Bottle Run. On both outings, Jason chose wineries well tailored to his guests. One route took us north to Filkins Vineyards, Veritas Estate, and Modales. The other stayed close to home with stops at Tabor Hill, Domaine Berrien, and Golden Muse in the Baroda area. These trips are a lot of fun. I enjoyed meeting new people and sharing what I know about the wine and wineries of southwest Michigan. It is a relaxed way to spend a day, and Jason does a phenomenal job. He brings a customer‑focused style, and his logistical skill matches it. We stayed on time, had excellent food arranged by Jason, and the days were simply wonderful. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a deeper look at the region and its wines. Learn more at: thebottlerun.com/guided-wine-tour |
| TASTING ROOM EXCLUSIVE OFFER |
| Uncorking Michigan: The Story Behind Each Glass When you think about your own tasting room, do your guests remember the wine, or do they remember the conversation that helped them connect to it? My new talk is designed specifically for tasting rooms that want to give guests a deeper connection to the wines they are already enjoying. Your team pours the wines, and I bring the larger Michigan story that gives each glass its historical context. Guests learn the background of the varieties, the personalities who shaped the region, and the development of Michigan wine to help them understand what they are tasting. The session keeps the wine at the center. It adds depth without stepping into the winery’s lane, strengthens the connection to each bottle, and turns a standard tasting into an experience people remember. It’s also a great way to strengthen your tasting room team. Your staff becomes storytellers who can genuinely connect with your guests because they know the full Michigan story behind each glass. This session doesn’t replace your message or wander into your lane. It simply adds the depth and background that turns an ordinary tasting into something people remember. Contact me tailor an event for your business. |
| Michigan Wine Grape PA 232 |
| PA 232 is the process Michigan uses to create grower‑led agricultural programs. For wine grapes, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) began by appointing a temporary committee (in accordance with PA 232) of growers and industry members to define the proposed program’s structure, scope, and assessment parameters. The committee completed its work by mid-June, and the recommendations moved to the formal hearing stage. The formal hearing was held on June 25, 2026. Under PA 232, MDARD reviews all comments submitted and prepares a formal hearing summary before deciding whether the proposal advances to a statewide grower referendum. As of press time today, MDARD has not published a referendum notice, voting dates, or a final determination, so the program remains in the evaluation phase while MDARD completes its statutory review. Last Thursday’s episode (July 23) was a mid‑June status update on PA 232 ahead of MDARD’s review of the June 25 public hearing responses. I sat down with John Braganini, Chairman of St. Julian Winery and a member of the temporary committee, to walk through the committee’s work leading up to the hearing. We talked about growers’ concerns, what the proposed Michigan Wine Grape Grower program could mean for the industry, and how the process had progressed up to that point. Once MDARD completes its review and announces next steps, I plan to record a follow‑up episode to cover that outcome. References: Michigan PA 232 – Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act (for context) https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-232-of-1965 MDARD Seeks Wine Grape Grower Input (dated June 3, 2025) https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/media/pressreleases/2025/06/03/mdard-seeks-wine-grape-grower-input Michigan Grape Society’s page https://www.michigangrapesociety.org/pa-232 |
| Executive Order 14414 and Its Impact on Michigan Vineyards |
| Executive Order 14414 is a presidential directive issued in late June that makes regenerative agriculture a national priority. It instructs federal agencies such as USDA and EPA to direct more funding, research, and support toward farming practices that improve soil health, reduce chemical use, and strengthen long‑term farm resilience. The order signals a shift in federal policy toward conservation‑focused agriculture and sets the expectation that future programs and investments will emphasize soil health, water retention, and sustainable production. Implication for Michigan wine and vineyards: Many vineyards already benefit from permanent groundcover and soil‑health improvements, which means they align closely with the practices encouraged and funded under Executive Order 14414. Michigan growers can expect expanded support for cover crops, compost, under‑vine management, drainage improvements, and reduced‑chemical approaches. The order also gives vineyards a stronger path to federal resources that support soil‑first farming. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/advancing-regenerative-agriculture-and-strengthening-american-farm-resilience/ |
| Book review: Chasing Cynthiana |
| This book was a gift from my daughter, Erin. It was an entertaining and insightful read, written by a woman who professes no formal training in our industry, but is a huge fan. She’s particularly fond of Cynthiana wine, also known as Norton. Chasing Cynthiana follows Lynn Hamilton’s search for one of America’s own grapes, Cynthiana. She traces its history, visits the places where it is still grown, and spends time with the people who have kept it alive while most wine drinkers focus on European varieties. Her writing about Hermann, Missouri, recognizes the town as a central piece of American wine history. Hermann was one of the country’s earliest and most influential wine regions, with Stone Hill Winery setting national standards long before Prohibition. By focusing on the cellars, families, vineyards, and traditions that shaped the region, she shows how those wineries carried their identity forward and helped define regional American wine. It took Hermann a few decades after Prohibition to re-engage in the wine industry, but there’s been a comeback with Stone Hill Winery back in business now for over 50 years. Hamilton also writes about climate change and regenerative agriculture. She shows how growers working with Cynthiana/Norton as well as other varieties are adapting to warmer seasons, shifting weather patterns, and the need for farming practices that protect the soil and support long‑term vineyard health. Her focus on regenerative ideas fits the grape’s story, because many of the people who farm Norton do so with a sense of stewardship and responsibility for their land. For me personally, this was a little bit of a trip down memory lane. I visited Hermann with my parents in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when my dad was looking for American and other varieties he could plant in our vineyards. I very much related to Lynn’s account of those Hermann locations and the people. And, parenthetically, the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the United States is Augusta, Missouri, just 20 minutes down the road from Hermann. The book is not a technical manual or a grand industry overview. It is one person following a grape’s trail and finding a deeper story about American wine identity. For anyone who cares about native grapes or the people who keep lesser-known varieties from disappearing, it is a great read. |
| SPONSORS AND SPONSOR REQUEST |
| We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors: Steve Salisbury Consulting, Golden Muse Winery, and Home Watch of Southwest Michigan. With decades of experience managing large-scale change for companies of all sizes, Steve has unparalleled expertise in helping leaders drive significant organizational transformations. Golden Muse Winery produces expressive, small-batch wines that reflect the character and creativity of Southwest Michigan. Home Watch of Southwest Michigan is dedicated to protecting your home while you’re away. Visit their websites for more information. www.linkedin.com/in/steve-salisbury/ http://www.goldenmusewinery.com mihomewatch.com/ |
| If Vines Could Talk is seeking sponsors to support the podcast and its mission to spotlight Michigan wines and the stories behind them. Sponsorship packages range from $500 to $1500 per year and help fund ongoing production. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please contact me at steve.salisbury@mail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated. |
| Please pass this along to friends who might enjoy it. To join or leave the newsletter, just drop me a note at steve.salisbury@mail.com. Let’s work together to spread the word about the amazing world of Michigan wine! © 2026 Steven G. Salisbury, If Vines Could Talk |
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