Michigan Wine and Enology Research Guide: MSU and Michigan Resources

Wineries are playing an active role in agri-tourism. Wine tours, dinners with pairings, and collaborations with other local businesses along wine trails are all part of the structure that can draw tourists to an area. Below we feature some of the research done by Michigan State University and its partners to better understand how to increase the number of tourists coming to wineries and how to enhance their experience.

Here are the requirements for becoming and operating a winery in Michigan as of 2013, the year for which we have the most recent information.

Wine Industry Profile
Updated June 2015. Revised May 2019.

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council is a governor-appointed board that is advisory to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Craft Beverage Council was established within The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide for research into Michigan agricultural products, such as fruits, hops and barley, that are used in the production of Michigan wine, cider, beer, spirits and mixed spirit drinks

This colorful, free magazine is published annually in April and contains information and informative articles about the wineries and wine regions of Michigan. 2006 to the current year are available online.

This Wine Industry Resource Guide, Start-Up Guide to Michigan's wine industry (full pdf, 15 pages), is designed to place the best available resource materials for winery or vineyard operators, or those interested in such ventures, in one convenient location. Topics include: Growing Wine Grapes in Michigan; Making Wine in Michigan; Sales and Marketing; Licensing, Regulations and Taxation; Other Business Issues.

The wine-curious and the wine aficionados alike will find themselves at home at Michigan wineries and vineyards. You will be sure to find that perfect wine with more than 140 wineries to choose from across the state.