Jun 4, 2025
36th Michigan Viticulture Field Day scheduled for July
In late July, Midwest winegrape growers will converge in southwest Michigan to participate in two educational events that are designed to show growers and winemakers the latest developments in growing and processing.
The annual Michigan Viticulture Field Day is scheduled for July 30. In its second year, the Enology Experience Day is also planned the following day, July 31.
Approaching its 40th year, the viticulture field day is to be at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, while the Enology Experience Day is set at the Lake Michigan College Welch Center for Wine and Viticulture in Benton Harbor.
“The Great Lakes grape growing community will gather together once again to share their experiences, get up close with the latest technology and glimpse into the local cutting-edge scientific research supporting the grape industry at the longest standing educational grape and wine-focused event in the Great Lakes region,” organizers stated in a news release.
“In its 36th year, the Michigan Viticulture Field Day is more than just a research report for the region. Companies supporting the grape growing community will be showcasing some of the latest and greatest precision viticulture equipment in the area. And let’s not forget everyone’s favorite part of this annual tradition, the famous steak cookout and Michigan wine showcase.”
After a successful first year, the Michigan Enology Experience returns the day after the Michigan Viticulture Field Day. The event’s goals will focus on collaboration, technical insight and applied learning for winemakers and industry professionals, according to a news release.
Preliminary agenda and topics include:
- Educational field visits
- Using LiDAR and drone imaging for crop load estimation
- The latest in efficacy research with spray drones
- Identification and management of grapevine trunk diseases and viruses
- The importance of understanding soil texture for grape production
- Development of a new, low-cost intelligent sprayer design for grape growers
- Protecting late season clusters from insect pests
- Keynote discussion on winemaking technology
- Hands-on wine faults workshop
- Experimental winemaking trials: guided tasting
- Blind comparative tasting: Lake Michigan Shore vs the World
The event is sponsored by the Michigan Grape Society, Michigan State University Extension and Lake Michigan College.
Registration options include one- and two-day early bird registrations and registrations for single events.
