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 returned to Maryland, spent four years at Crow Vineyard and Winery, and completed WSET level 3. An internship at Alexana Estate in Oregon shaped her next chapter. She later joined Blue Dot, owned by Paul and Jenny, where she works with established vineyards, new plantings, and fruit trees for cider. The site near Lake Charlevoix supports a wide range of varieties and faces challenges from wildlife and frost. Sam brings steady focus to the work and continues to shape Blue Dot’s future.

bludotwine.com

Facebook: Blu Dot Farm and Vineyard

Instagram: #bludotfarmandvineyard

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 acres of a former buffalo farm where they planted their first vines. They also took on a neighboring orchard with apples, cherries, apricots, and two acres of grapes, farming both properties themselves with no hired help. Emmy Sue is also the head winemaker at Boathouse where among other things, she is completing the paperwork to pursue organic certification with a target of 2028. Her philosophy is simple: wine is community. Learn more at forsuwine.com and boathousevineyards.com. Their Instagram accounts are @forsuwineandcider for Forsu and @boathousevineyards for Boathouse. © Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 Niagara. Learn more at camusu.com and winepirati.com, or on Instagram @ca.musu and @winepirati.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 Lads Winery on Facebook, and explore #2ladswinery on Instagram.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 insight into what this means for growers, and how assessments may support marketing, research, and education. He also discusses the realities of operating Michigan’s largest winery, with St. Julian tasting rooms in Union Pier, Paw Paw, Rockford, Frankenmuth, Troy, Dundee, and soon Gaylord. Learn more about The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: michigan.gov/mdard

Learn more about St. Julian: stjulian.com

Contact John at johnb@stjulian.com or 269-330-4205

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 walks through their phased journey: vineyard work, tasting room renovation and expansion, equipment improvements, and the lineup of proprietary blends they now steward. Learn more at oceanawinery.com. Contact Christine at oceanawinery@gmail.com.

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.

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 about five hundred cases a year and makes a sparkling Pinot Noir in cooler seasons. Join Barry at Wildfire Restaurant in downtown Chicago on August 11 for a Michigan Wine Dinner at the following link: wildfirerestaurant.com/chicago/w-b-s-events/best-of-michigan-wine-dinner

Learn more about his work with the Michigan Wine Collaborative: michiganwinecollaborative.com

Find O’Brien Vineyards on Facebook: facebook.com/obrienvineyards

Visit the O’Brien Vineyards website: obrien-vineyards.com

Contact Barry directly: obrienvineyards@gmail.com

© Steve Salisbury. Produced by Steve Salisbury. All rights reserved.