June 3-7 2024
A New Kind of Wine Travel
Get ready to journey North with us to the Great Lakes State! We’re heading to Michigan where the next wave of winemaking is captivating the palates of wine pros and pleasure seekers alike.
Situated along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, Traverse City is brimming with enchanting landscapes, freshwater beaches, and a burgeoning wine scene that is becoming an emerging hub for the industry. Fondly known as the Cherry Capital of the World, the Traverse City area is endowed with unique microclimates and glacial soils which create exceptional conditions for growing a diverse range of crops. While cherries have blazed a trail for agriculture here, grapes are elevating the heritage and the food scene is leaning into the legacy.
Winemakers here flex their tenacity and creativity as they embrace the challenges of regional variabilities to produce remarkable wines using hybrid and vinifera grapes.
Michigan's food and wine scene is not only an intriguing destination for wine lovers but also a testament to the passion and commitment of its tastemakers who are making waves and securing a promising future in the world of wine and beyond.
Image Credit: Amoritas Vineyards
Community Partner: Simonne Mitchelson
Stepping into the role of Community Partner for Field Blends: Michigan is a homecoming for Simonne. After gaining over a decade of experience in wine regions around the world, Simonne is excited to bring greater visibility to her home state's best-kept appellations. She believes Michigan wine’s approachability will entice the next generation of wine drinkers while championing diversity beyond vinifera. Simonne’s work centers the experience of fellow 1st generation kids, ensuring that barriers do not mar entry into the wine biz for future generations.
Winemaker, Co-Founder of Natural Action, Founder of Cal Poly BIPOC Scholarship Program
June 5-9, 2023
The Finger Lakes region is undeniably one of New York state’s crown jewels. Native legend has it that the Great Spirit reached down to bless the land, leaving an impression of fingers that formed these magnificent lakes. The eleven Finger Lakes lie in a glacial valley and is home to a thriving community of artists, academics, and agriculturists.
The agricultural scene in the Finger Lakes is intrinsic to its culture and lifestyle. The region is woven together by a network of conservation-focused family farms and wineries making up nearly 50% of the total area and acting as the backbone of the economy. You’ll see everything from dairy and livestock ranches to salt mines to farms growing a wide range of crops here like apples, buckwheat, hay, corn, and of course – grapes.
This prized wine region is certainly growing in popularity due to their swoon-worthy Rieslings, Chardonnays, and stunning red varietals, but remains a hidden gem – even among New Yorkers. Savvy travelers who do make their way to the Finger Lakes, though, often find themselves dazzled by its natural beauty and eagerly make plans to return.
There are endless ways to experience the Finger Lakes and all it has to offer – with its stellar wineries, breweries, and cideries, its culinary highlights, and exceptional outdoor offerings like hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and golf. The Finger Lakes will leave their own impression on you, and we can’t wait to welcome you here!
With the goal of making wine accessible to everyone, Maiah’s work focuses on broadening the narrative of wine by looking at how history has shaped where we are today. As the Community Partner for Field Blends: Finger Lakes (where her wine journey began). Maiah feels lucky to share the beauty of this region, but is eager to go beyond the romanticism of wine – something she believes is part of her duty as a journalist. Field Blends will push the dialogue and close the knowledge gap between consumer and maker – an important next step in the region’s evolution.
Writer, Speaker, Activist, and Beverage Education Manager at New York Kitchen
June 6-10, 2022
A New Kind of Wine Travel
Walla Walla, a First Nations name meaning “many waters,” is nestled along the eastern Washington-Oregon border against a backdrop of lush green hills and abundant rivers. Considered one of the most gorgeous towns in Washington state, Walla Walla’s rich soils support a thriving agricultural region its residents are proud of. A wide range of crops is grown here, like wheat, berries, apples, and asparagus, and its famous Sweet Onions.
But Walla Walla’s real claim to fame has become its world-class wines, boasting over 120 wineries producing exceptional varieties that lovingly reflect the range and complexity of the region’s appellation and valley.
They say Walla Walla is “the town so nice they named it twice,” and it’s true. The Walla Walla wine community, in particular, is so tight-knit and welcoming that a few of the local visionaries lead with the tenets: “a rising tide floats all boats” and “you push the person in front of you and pull the person behind you.” This flourishing wine region stands apart in that newcomer vintners – regardless of gender, race, socio-economic background, or winemaking experience – are able to put down roots in this community and find a well of support to blaze their own trail and forge the future of Walla Walla wine.
No matter how you experience the Walla Walla Valley, there really is something for everyone in this stunning place – with its burgeoning art scene and eclectic mix of dining options, outdoor recreation, cheese shops, tasting rooms, breweries, bookstores, and more. Walla Walla will charm your pants off, and we can’t wait to show you around!
Community Partner: Fiona Mak
Fiona’s commitment to innovation, community, and authenticity colors everything she does. As Field Blends: Walla Walla’s Community Partner, Fiona’s mission is to shine a light on the young Walla Walla wine community and showcase the work they’re doing to make the world of wine more accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for all.
Owner & Winemaker of SMAK Wines, Walla Walla