Studies by Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service demonstrate the growing significance of Michigan’s grape and wine industry to Michigan agriculture and the state’s overall economy, according to Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Dan Wyant.

Wyant said MSU researchers, in a recently-released study entitled "A Marketing and Economic Analysis of Michigan’s Wine Industry and Winery Tourism," estimate that Michigan’s grape and wine industry contributed more than $75 million in state economic activity in 2000. Of this, over $16 million is directly attributed to winery tourism.

"This study confirms the important and increasing role that Michigan’s grape growers and wineries play in our state’s agricultural diversity and strength, as well as the contribution they add to the state’s overall economy," Wyant said.

This report also provides detailed information regarding the characteristics and behaviors of winery tourists, including the fact that these travelers come from a variety of in-state and out-of-state locations and tend to extend their stays in local communities by at least one half-day to specifically include winery visits in their overall travel experience.

Michigan Agricultural Statistics of 2000-2001 also document the growing contribution of the grape and wine industry with statistics showing that Michigan wine grapes purchased by state wineries increased from $800,000 in 1996 to more than $2.5 million in 2000. Part of this increase is due to increased acreage devoted to wine grapes (a 24-percent increase from 1997 to 2000) and part is attributed to the change in the varieties of grapes grown for winemaking in the state.

"Michigan wine grape growers are becoming very skilled at growing the varieties of grapes that are in high demand for top quality table wines," said Linda Jones, executive director of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council (GWIC), which is housed and overseen by MDA. "Our growers are producing wine grapes that can go ‘toe-to-toe’ with the world’s best when crafted by our talented winemakers into fine wines. Michigan wines continue to win awards regularly at national and international wine competitions."

For more information on the state’s wineries and wine grape production, or to receive a complimentary magazine with a map highlighting Michigan’s wineries, visit www.michiganwines.com or call MDA’s GWIC office toll-free at 800-292-3939. Copies of the MSU report’s executive summary or its complete 75-page analysis are also available by contacting the GWIC.

MDA is the official state agency charged with serving, promoting and protecting the food, agriculture and agricultural economic interest of the people of the state of Michigan. Its programs serve all sectors of agriculture, which is Michigan’s second-largest industry.

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