If Vines Could Talk

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...

In this final episode of our four-part series on vineyard care through the seasons, I sit down once again with Mike de Schaaf, Farm Manager at MSU Extension in Benton Harbor. Mike brings a steady, thoughtful approach to vineyard work, and today we explore the fall season and everything leading up to and including harvest. Learn more about MSU’s work at https://www.canr.msu.edu/swmrec/ and explore...

Episode 139 features Mike de Schaaf, Farm Manager at MSU Extension in Benton Harbor. This is the third of four conversations covering vineyard care through the seasons. Today we focus on summer and explore thinning, irrigation and disease control. Learn more at https://www.canr.msu.edu/swmrec/ and lakemichigancollege.edu/wine. © Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

Episode 138 features Mike de Schaaf, Farm Manager at MSU Extension in Benton Harbor. This is the second of a four-part series focused on vineyard care for each season. Today we explore spring and discuss frost protection, bud break, fertilizer and disease. Mike also shares insight into his role at Lake Michigan College. Learn more about his work at https://www.canr.msu.edu/swmrec/ and lakemichigan...

Episode 137 features Mike de Schaaf, Farm Manager at MSU Extension in Benton Harbor, joining me for the first installment of a four part series on vineyard care through the seasons. Today we explore winter, the critical pruning season that sets the tone for the entire year. We also highlight Mike’s work at Lake Michigan College and point listeners to Episode 64 for his background and story. Learn...

This episode features a summer conversation with Ben Guerrin, recorded during his time as Vineyard Manager at Modales. We explore organic certification, the responsibilities of a vineyard manager, the challenges that define each season, and the collaborative relationship between vineyard and winery. Ben now serves as Agronomy Sales, Account Relationship Manager for Keystone Co-op, supporting grape...

Many listeners have asked me to share my story, and this episode brings it forward. I also explain what is ahead while my wife and I travel abroad. I have prepared a full arc of episodes that will continue each week. We begin with my own story, then move into the vineyard with its pulse and the seasons. From there we explore the varieties that define Michigan wine, including red grapes, Cabernet F...

In this episode, I sit down once again with Tim Godfrey, now serving as Program Director for Agriculture, Culinary Management, and Wine and Viticulture at Lake Michigan College. Tim brings insight, humor, and honesty as we explore the challenges of winemaking. We also discuss the winemaking program at Lake Michigan College, why it is worth exploring, and take a detailed look at sulfites. Learn mor...

Join me for Episode 133 as I visit with Folklor, a remarkable farm and winery in Charlevoix owned by Izabela Babinska and Derrick Vogel. I walked the farm with Iza in October, tasted several of their excellent wines with Derrick a few days later, and then sat down with both of them for a fun interview in late November. They are a delightful couple whose work reflects deep care for the land and a c...

In this episode, Tony Jacobson walks through his journey from Sleepy Creek in Illinois, to ten years in Traverse City, to his work with Mawby, and finally to launching Loose Cannon. Tony also leads the P.45 Wines and Vines group, a collaborative space for growers and winemakers. Learn more at loosecannon.wine or reach Tony at tony@loosecannon.wine. Follow on Instagram at loosecannon.wine or tonyma...