Two of the boldest, legendary founders of the Michigan wine industry were cited posthumously today for their myriad contributions to the industry's success along the shores of Lake Michigan in ceremonies at Lake Michigan College's new Wine & Viticulture program in the Hanson Technology Center on the Napier Campus of LMC.
The college and the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail dedicated two French Oak wine barrels in the names of southwest Michigan wine pioneers David Braganini and Len Olson. The barrels, which are worth about $1,000 each, were donated to the college by the Wine Trail and will be used by the Wine and Viticulture Technology program and Lake Michigan Vintners to age the wine produced by the students as part of their education.
Kathy Sturm is the nee Executive Administrator of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, she told me today, "What we wanted to do was recognize the two entities, the Lake Michigan College and their new Viticulture program, as well as the work that the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is doing to promote wine in SW Michigan, as well as combining the educational components. With the dedication of these two wine barrels to two of the very instrumental founders of the Wine Trail, we wanted to bring it together and we thought this was the perfect opportunity to do that."
A number of winemakers joined LMC Wine & Viticulture Technology Program Director Michael Moyer and his team and other college officials in hosting a ribbon cutting and barrel dedication ceremony this morning, where Chris Moersch, President of the Wine Trail addressed the impact of Braganini and Olson on the wine industry and the region, saying, "The guts and courage of Dave and Len paved the way for the rest of us. This donation is a way to pay it forward.”
After the formal ceremonies, Moersch told me, "I think this is great. Obviously we were sad to lose both of these gentlemen, and I’ve known both of those guys since I was a kid with my dad being in the industry. What they’ve done as far as blazing the trail for the rest of us is amazing. You just can’t explain how hard that is, to build an industry from scratch. We’re honored to be able to donate something in their name, to help with future winemakers through the LMC program here."
I asked Moersch how he thought the program was going thus far, to which he replied, "We’re thrilled with the program so far. It’s something that we firmly believe in as a company. As a matter of fact we actually have a scholarship that we donate every year, and for us it’s an important step in being recognized as the world-class growing region that it truly is, and so anything we can do to help, we’re willing to do."
David Braganini, founder of the LMS Wine Trail, passed away in July of this year. He was President of St. Julian Winery, which is the oldest in Michigan. Nancie Oxley from St. Julian attended today's dedication and told me later, "I think it’s great that Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail donated two barrels in the name of Len Olsen and Dave Braganini – both definitely pioneers in the industry. With St. Julian’s 95th anniversary this year, and Len, who was around forever — they were two people that really poured their heart and soul into making the Michigan wine industry, and kicking it off and getting it started. It’s pretty neat that we have this opportunity to do the barrel dedication in their name."
Len Olson opened Tabor Hill Winery in the 1970s and later started Baroda Founders Wine Cellar. He died in 2014. His son, Gunnar Olson, now owns Baroda Founders. Gunnar was on hand for today's proceedings. He later told me, "It’s really a nice honor that the wine trail recognizes my father and Dave, for all they’ve done in the beginning days. People love how he (Len) enjoyed and loved life, it’s very nice that they did this."
LMC President, Dr. Bob Harrison was on hand for the event. He said, "We’re just pleased to be the recipient of their gift, and our students will put the gift to good use."
Wine and Viticulture Technology Program Director Michael Moyer told the small audience at the dedication, “Len was the first in the state to make wine using vitis vinifera, the traditional varieties native to Europe such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Michigan's ability to grow vitis vinifera successfully is what sets our industry apart from any other state in the Midwest, and much of the USA for that matter.”
Moyer was recruited to our area by a group of community leaders including Dr. Harrison and Kinexus Director Todd Gustafson who also took part in the ceremonies today. He later told me, "This was a journey that started three years ago when we went out to Walla Walla, Washington to look at how the community college impacted the wine industry and the tourism industry in Walla Walla, and we knew that we could definitely replicate that here." He notes, "We’re only four hours away from 32-million people, they’re four hours away from ten in Walla Walla, so I’m excited to see that we’ve invested in the college‘s efforts in this and we’re excited see where this goes because we think it will make a huge impact."
In fall 2015, Lake Michigan College established the Wine and Viticulture Technology Associate Degree program. The program teaches the art, the science, and business of wine by preparing students with a comprehensive, hands-on education in enology (winemaking) and viticulture (grape growing). Lake Michigan Vintners, the Midwest's first and only commercial teaching winery was also established in 2015. Located just six miles off the shores of Lake Michigan, students gain hands-on, year-round experience working in the vineyard during the summer, and making wine in the winery during the fall.
The program began its second year this fall, with 26 students currently enrolled from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds including students from Germany and Japan.
Several wines have already been produced by students, who harvested, processed, fermented, filtered and bottled five different 2015 vintages including Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, a red blend, Riesling and a sparkling Rosé. The class is now getting ready for the 2016 harvest which will include Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grüner Veltliner varietals.
The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the development of the outstanding wine producing and tourism industry in southwest Michigan. Its mission is to stimulate interest in wine in general and specifically the wines of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, and to assist local wineries in becoming industry leaders.
In the photo above are Nancie Oxley from St. Julian Winery, Michael Moyer from LMC's Wine program, and winemakers Chris Moersch of Round Barn Winery and Gunnar Olson of Baroda Founders Wine Cellars preparing to cut the ribbon at today's dedication.
