Wine, food and a sense of place

Marcus Samuelsson at the Epicurean Classic by farlane

Travel writer Kim Schneider has a nice article about how Michigan’s wine tourism industry is developing. David Creighton of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council says visitors are seeking experiences that link the wine with the vineyard.

“The sense of place is, for most of us, the single thing we’re looking for that industrially produced wines can’t give. I think at some level, people understand that standing in a vineyard with a glass of wine that was grown in that vineyard is a very different experience.”

And winemakers are responding by creating vineyard B&Bs, holding wine appreciation classes, or throwing harvest party blowouts. The state boasts at least four winery bed and breakfasts with several other inns and resorts featuring wine dinners and winery tours. Events number in the dozens, and there are three distinct wine trails offering joint programming.

Read Wine tourists take in more than a sip at Michigan wineries at mLive’s travel blog and check Absolute Michigan keyword wine for tons of links!