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2025 Dirt to Glass: Elevating Michigan Wine from the Ground Up

Aug. 21 & 22, 2025
Historic Barns Park & The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Traverse City, MI  
Pre-registration is required

Dirt to Glass™ 2025 takes place Thursday and Friday, August 21 and 22 in Traverse City, Michigan at the Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park. This annual conference connects growers and producers from around the state and beyond, providing 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, working with Michigan State University AgBioResearch and Extension, Dirt to Glass™ identifies relevant topics in that cycle and invites highly recognized scientists and speakers from around the world to present to the Michigan grape and wine industry. 

Designed to empower growers, winemakers, and industry professionals, Dirt to Glass is not just a conference—it’s a catalyst for transformation. With its unique focus on the entire agricultural value chain, from soil health to final product, the event offers vital insights for achieving quality, profitability, and global competitiveness.

Day 1 of the conference begins at the Cathedral Barn and will provide a comprehensive exploration of some of the most important aspects of wine production and the future of our industry through a rich program of expert speakers and a guided tasting experience. Following the day of seminars will be a curated walk-around tasting in which participants can objectively evaluate and discuss Michigan wines alongside other similar wines of quality from around the world. Participants can then enjoy food, music and conversation at the Party on the Piazza, hosted just across the parking lot under the pavillion.

Day 1 registration includes:
  • full day of presentations by featured speakers
  • instructive, educational guided tasting of 4-5 wines
  • moderated grower panel
  • sandwich lunch from Folgarelli's Market
  • ticket to the evening walk-around tasting featuring approximately 100 wines
  • entrance to the Party on the Piazza, with food and continued conversation
  • access to Day 2 registration (Day 2 is an additional fee)


Day 2 is spent in the field with shuttle transport departing in the morning from the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and is a full day of learning, conversation and networking. Participants will visit several pre-selected sites to explore the concepts presented on Day 1 with our visiting experts. Lunch is also included with paid registration. Seating is extremely limited on Day 2, on a first come first serve basis, and only available to Day 1 participants for additional fee.

The full Dirt to Glass™ event agenda will be shared at a later date when all details are confirmed.

Michigan Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) applicator recertification credits for private and commercial fruit (1C) will be applied for.

Registration Fees
Early Bird conference fee $150 per person per day
($300 per person for both days)		 Early bird ends March 15th
Regular price conference fee  Day one: $175 per person Day 2 - $250 per person
($425 per person for both days) 

Registration for Day 2 has limited seating and is only available to those that have registered for Day 1
Group registration is not available. Please register each participant separately, no exceptions. For assistance with multiple registrations using one payment method, please email dragov@msu.edu
Registration closes at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025

Location
The Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park, 1500 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684, located near the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Lodging
Discounted room blocks have been secured at two Traverse City hotels for participants seeking lodging; booking information will be included in your registration confirmation email. 
Hotel Indigo - $289 per night (Wed & Thurs only), plus taxes & fees. Valet parking will be $18/night. This offer ends on July 21, 2025. 
TRU by Hilton - $189 per night (Wed & Thurs only), plus taxes & fees. This offer ends on July 6, 2025. 

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are refundable until July 27, 2025. After July 27, refunds are no longer available.
Waitlist: In the event that registration is closed due to the event being at capacity, please email dragov@msu.edu or call 231-922-4633 to be put on a waitlist.

Sponsorship: Your support is the key to our success!
Companies interested in sponsoring the 2025 Dirt to Glass Conference can choose one of the following sponsorships.

$500 - Régionales Sponsor
$1,000 - Villages Sponsor
$2,000 - Lieu Dit Sponsor
$3,500 - Premier Cru Sponsor
$5,000 - Grand Cru Sponsor
Visit our Sponsorship website for more information. 

Registration for 2025 Dirt to Glass: Elevating Michigan Wine from the Ground Up is open.

Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on August 10, 2025.

Register Here

Accommodations

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Contact Information

For general event or sponsorship information, please contact Jennifer Berkey at 231-922-4821 or berkeyj@msu.edu. For registration questions or issues, please contact Veronica Dragovich at dragov@msu.edu or 231-922-4633.