MSU EXtension in Berrien County has announced the next Viticulture Field Day is coming up. The MSU Extension office released the following:
The 36th Annual Michigan Viticulture Field Day is almost here! On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the grape growing community will gather together once again to share their experiences with one another, get up close with the latest technology, and glimpse into the local cutting-edge scientific research supporting the grape industry. Let’s not forget the most important part of the day, enjoying some great food and excellent local wine! The day’s topics involve the latest in spray drone research, estimating crop loads using LIDAR and vision-based technology, protecting late season clusters from insect pests, understanding your soils, and identification of trunk diseases and viruses.
After a resounding success last year, the 2nd Annual Michigan Enology Experience will be back on July 31, 2025, the day after the Michigan Viticulture Field Day. This event will take place at the Lake Michigan College Welch Center for Wine and Viticulture. The day will focus on collaboration, technical insight, and applied learning for winemakers and industry professionals. The morning sessions will include a keynote talk on wine making technology followed by a wine faults workshop. After lunch and a social period, the afternoon will involve a guided tasting on evaluating experimental wines and cellar technique comparisons. The final session will put our local Lake Michigan Shore wines in a head-to-head match-up against some of the finest international standards.
Michigan State University Extension is partnering with Lake Michigan College and the Michigan
Grape Society in organizing and running the event. Registration for both the Michigan Viticulture Field Day and the Michigan Enology Experience is available at https://michigangrapesociety.simpletix.com/. Seating for the enology event is limited so please register as early as possible to ensure your spot! Register by July 15th to receive an early-bird discounted ticket for day one for just $70 and $100 for day two. Early-bird registration for both days is $150 per person.
Join us for this two-day event! Make sure to bring your sunscreen, best hat, appetite, and curiosity.
Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.
For questions about this year’s events or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mike Reinke at reinkem3@msu.edu.
