Published: April 28, 2009 06:30 am      

Wineries team up for Wine Summit

TRAVERSE CITY -- Renae Hansen took a sniff, a sip, and then some notes.

Hansen manages Hanna Bistro, an upscale restaurant in downtown Traverse City. She called upon a variety of senses to gauge qualities of northern Michigan wines at the third annual Northern Michigan Wine Summit on Monday.

Dozens of restaurant and retail managers, distributors and other hospitality industry representatives gathered at the Hagerty Center to learn more about the region's expanding wine industry.

"I'm not a wine expert by any means, so I'm learning a lot about it myself," said Hansen, who jotted notes as she quizzed some of the region's best vintners about their wines. She looks for ideas to pair local wines with Hanna's offerings, and wants to learn what's popular with consumers.

"I'm trying to expand our selection of Michigan wines," she said.

Winemakers on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas launched the summit in 2007 to promote local wines to business segments around the state. This year, fifteen area wineries offered more than 100 selections for sampling.

"Bringing the two wine trails together really makes the event work," said Spencer Stegenga, of Bowers Harbor Vineyards.

It also gives winemakers from both sides of the bay a chance to discuss how to grow the industry before busying themselves with the growing season.

"From 10 years ago to five years ago to today, you're seeing a lot of improvement in the quality of our wine," Stegenga said.

For major wine buyers like William Koski, the summit is a chance to stay on top of the state's wine industry and meet the new bottlers. The state is home to 64 wineries, with several new operations opening over the past two years. Michigan wineries took home more than 800 medals at wine competitions around the world in 2008, and produced more than 1 million gallons of wine.

"It's a fast-growing industry up here, where every year there's a couple of new players," said Koski, general manager of The Gilmore Collection, which operates more than 20 restaurants in the Grand Rapids area.

Koski said more customers want Michigan wines, so it's important to know the industry. He's working on a deal with Bryan Ulbrich, of Left Foot Charley winery in Traverse City, to feature its 2008 Rose in his chain.

"Our customers, for the most part, are very well aware of (Michigan wines)," Koski said. "Our sales have probably doubled as far as Michigan wines are concerned."