If Vines Could Talk

This episode features Jessica Youngblood of Youngblood Vineyard, a family farm located twenty miles northeast of downtown Detroit. Jessica shares how she and her husband planted their first twelve acres in 2015, followed by ten more in 2016, and how they built their business from the ground up with a focus on cold hardy varieties such as Petit Pearl, Marquette, Frontenac, Frontenac Blanc, Prairie...

In this episode, we begin with Brad Deacon, who explains PA232 and the role of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. He shares how producers can explore grant opportunities and connect with director Jenelle Jagmin at jagminj@michigan.gov. Then we sit down with Lori Herron of Social Vines. Lori and her husband purchased their seventy acre property in 2015 and transformed a historic red barn into the...

Chef Jean Joho joins me for a conversation that spans his early life in Alsace, his classical training, his rise in Chicago, and his long relationship with wine. We talk about Everest, the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, his connection to Michigan wine, and the progress he has seen in our region. © Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Steve first shares a short collage of voices from a successful Michigan wine dinner at Wildfire in Chicago. Then in this episode, Steve talks with Sam Smiertka of Blue Dot Farm and Vineyard in Charlevoix. Sam studied graphic design and history at James Madison University, worked in a corporate role in Atlanta, and discovered a strong interest in wine after trying a bottle from Georgia. She returne...

Emmy Sue Neighbors joins the podcast to share the story behind Forsu, her Michigan‑born project shaped by organics, community, and personal meaning. She began her wine journey in Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara in 2018, learning every role across five to six years in fully organic and biodynamic settings. She and Blair returned to Michigan in 2023, moved to Northport in 2024, and purchased fourteen a...

In this episode, I sit down with Mimmo Musumeci of Ca’ Musu, a vineyard‑driven project in Hart, Michigan. Mimmo and Elise run a small, focused winery built on disciplined farming, cool climate varieties, and a restrained cellar approach that keeps the character of their site clear. We recorded in their barn with birds all around and enjoyed Sabbia, a blend of LaCrescent, Riesling, Traminette, and...

Chris Baldyga joins the podcast for a conversation about his path from early exposure at Chateau Grand Traverse to founding and leading 2Lads. He shares how vineyard work shaped his understanding of wine and how chemistry influenced his approach. We talk about the early days of 2Lads, the varieties they focused on, and the evolution of their sparkling program. Learn more at 2lwinery.com, follow 2...

In this episode, Steve talks with John Braganini about PA 232, the Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act that now serves as the framework for a proposed Michigan Wine Grape Grower program. At least 25 percent of Michigan wine grape growers petitioned to begin the process, and MDARD appointed a temporary committee to draft a program that growers will eventually vote on. John shares insigh...

In this episode, I sit down with Christine McAfee, owner of Oceana Winery and Vineyard. Christine brings twenty years of experience from the Finger Lakes region, covering the full range of cool climate wine roles. She and her husband Cameron spent two years working toward the purchase of Oceana, drawn first by the house and then by the opportunity to continue the legacy Greg started. Christine wal...

In this episode, I sit down with Sue Chilton of Shiny Quarter Vineyard. We recorded in early June, and Sue walks through her approach to biodynamic light, Chinese medicine, and the living mycelial network that shapes her vineyard practices. Learn more at shinyquarter.com. Contact Sue directly at 708-699-4243. © Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Barry O’Brien moved back to Michigan after years in New York and bought his Old Mission land in 1999. He started as an importer, then took over the vineyard himself in 2019 and earned a viticulture degree from MSU. He farms four acres of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. He dry farms, uses no herbicides, and works with seven foot rows and four feet between plants. He produces a...

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Kniebes for a lively conversation about marketing, labels, tasting room experiences, glassware, and the creative choices that shape Lazy Ballerina Winery. Lauren and her co‑owner Melanie grew up in Coloma, inspired by their grandmother’s homemade wines and the grapes grown on their family farm. That early spark led them into the Michigan wine industry and ev...

Sean O’Keefe joins me for the final episode in our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. We explore the origins of vinifera in Northwest Michigan through the work of his father, Ed O’Keefe, founder of Chateau Grand Traverse, and the early support of Dr. Helmut Becker of Geisenheim. This episode was recorded last summer while Sean was still at Mari Vineyards. Sean can be r...

In this episode I sit with Gunnar Olson, owner of Baroda Founders Winecellar, to reflect on the legacy of his father, Leonard Olson. Leonard helped launch modern Michigan wine, beginning with Tabor Hill in 1970 and continuing through Berrien Vintners, Tanner Creek, River Bend Winery in Louisville, and Baroda Founders Winecellars. Gunnar shares stories from inside a family that helped build the fou...

Episode 151 features Maxx Eichberg in the third installment of our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers. Maxx returns to talk about regenerative farming and the hands on work that forms the foundation of great wine. You do not have to have been involved in Michigan winegrowing for multiple decades to be a pioneer, and Maxx shows why. We also reference Lauren Burns of Tending Tilth, featur...

This episode continues our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. Tony Peterson of Contessa Winecellars shares the story behind his ten-acre vineyard, his focus on Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Moscato, and the possible addition of Cabernet Franc, and his long standing role in shaping the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. We also talk about the early days of the Michigan Grape and W...

Episode 149 features Doug Welch, owner and cofounder of Fenn Valley Vineyards and a pioneer of the Lake Michigan Shore. Doug shares the story of building Fenn Valley more than fifty years ago alongside his father and reflects on the early days of Michigan’s wine industry transformation. This conversation offers rare insight into patience, long term vision, and the steady commitment required to mov...

Episode 148 closes out our five-part miniseries on Michigan varieties with grower and winemaker Dan Nitz. Dan manages hundreds of acres of vineyards and produces some of the most respected ice wine in the region. We recorded this conversation in July 2025, and it is a clear look at the work, risk, and reward behind frozen gold. If you have ever wondered why ice wine carries the price it does, this...

Matt Killman returns for the fourth episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. We explore cool climate grapes that thrive in Michigan, especially those that perform well in the Tip of the Mitt AVA. Matt is an owner and winemaker at Walloon Lake Winery, and his work has made him a respected voice in the world of cold hardy vines. Recorded in June 2025. Learn more at walloonlakewinery.com or r...

Maxx Eichberg returns for the third episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. Today we focus on Pinot Noir, recorded in July 2025, with a detailed look at why this grape thrives in Michigan. Maxx also shares his perspective on conscious consumerism and the importance of informed buying decisions. Learn more at strangerwine.com or reach him at hello@strangerwine.com. © Steve Salisbury. Produ...

Andrew Backlin returns for the second episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. Today we focus on Sauvignon Blanc, recorded in June in the old tasting room with a cricket that refused to stay quiet. Andrew’s immense breadth of knowledge continues to shape the future of Modales, where he now serves as head winemaker & proprietor. Learn more at modaleswines.com or follow on Facebook and I...

Amy Birk returns as we launch a new five-part miniseries focused on Michigan varieties. In this episode we explore Cabernet Franc. Recorded in June 2025, this conversation also looks ahead to the 2024 vintage, which promises to be something extraordinary. Amy’s passion for her craft shines through every moment. Learn more at domaineberrien.com or reach the winery at winery@domaineberrien.com. © St...

Episode 143 features Tom Knighton of Blustone Vineyards in the final episode of our three part series on Michigan Red Wine. We recorded this last July and dive into the evolution of red wine in Michigan, highlighting how winemakers like Tom are producing fabulous reds. Tom’s passion for quality and vision for Blustone shine through in this thoughtful conversation. Contact Tom at tom@blustonevineya...

Andrew Backlin, Head Winemaker and Proprietor at Modales, joins me in the original Modales tasting room for a conversation about Michigan's Red Wine Story. We talk about the evolution of red wine in the state, and how Michigan winemakers are producing red wines with depth, structure, and identity. Andrew is now part owner of Modales and president of the Michigan Wine Collaborative. A cricket j...

Amy Birk, co-owner and winemaker at Domaine Berrien Cellars in Berrien Springs, joins the podcast to talk about Michigan’s red wine story. We explore why red grapes thrive in this region, why Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Lemberger stand out, and how Amy approaches her work as one of the rising leaders in Michigan wine. The first of a three-part series with Michigan winemakers. Reach Amy at domaineb...