Jun 14, 2022

Registration open for Dirt to Glass grape, wine conference

The 2022 Dirt to Glass Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, August 25-26 in Traverse City, Michigan at Kirkbride Hall. The conference will connect growers and producers from around the state and prove the most advanced practical information to support the Michigan grape and wine industry in understanding the critical relationship between better farming and world-class wine.

Each year, based on the results of an annual MSU Extension educational needs assessment survey, Dirt to Glass will choose a specific area in that cycle and invite highly recognized scientists and speakers to discuss the topic in great detail. This year’s conference will focus on soil identification, health and fertility, which are all crucial in the production of quality grapes and wines.

Day 1 of the conference will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and feature various knowledgeable speakers on soil health and feature tasting panels in the afternoon. Day 2 of the conference will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and be a Field Day of site visits to various vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula where participants will see actual soil pits and explore the concepts presented on Day 1 with our visiting experts. Day 2 participants will meet at a to-be-determined location and board shuttle buses for the vineyard site visits. Seating is extremely limited on Day 2 on a first come first serve basis, and only available to Day 1 participants.

The lineup of speakers includes Doug Frost, Kevin Pogue, Bruno Basso, Madeline Triffon, Amanda Danielson, Diego Barison, Christie Lee Apple, David Bos, Thomas Houseman and Paolo Sabbatini. There will also be instructive Riesling and Pinot Noir wine tasting panels that will demonstrate the impact of soil and farming on a finished wine through the lens of two well-known varieties. The programming of the first day will provide a comprehensive exploration of one of the most important aspects of wine production and the future of our industry.

Five (5) Michigan Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) applicator recertification credits for private and commercial fruit (1C) are available for Day 1, and four (4) for Day 2.

Registration fees

The conference fee is $150 per person per day. ($300 per person for both days).

Registration for Day 2 has limited seating (45) for the shuttle buses and is only available to those that have registered for Day 1.

Group registration is not available. Please register each participant separately, no exceptions. Registration closes at midnight on Sunday, July 10.

Cancellation policy

Registration fees are refundable until July 10, 2022. After July 10, refunds are no longer available.

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