The Dirt to Glass wine industry conference is celebrating its fifth year Aug. 20-21, in Northern Michigan. The event coincides with and is a featured part of Traverse City Food & Wine.
Led by co-founders Amanda Danielson, Paolo Sabbatini and Madeline Triffon, this intensive two-day experience is aimed to bring growers, winemakers and industry professionals together for one goal – to show why Michigan-made wines belong at the table.
Dirt to Glass brings together growers, winemakers and industry professionals in an effort to elevate and transform the state’s wine regions from the soil to the final product. Each year, the two-day conference features current research, cutting-edge practical information and insights into producing high-quality, profitable, and globally competitive wines.
“The fifth year feels especially meaningful because Dirt to Glass has become what we hoped it could be: a place for the Michigan wine industry to come together with more openness, more collaboration and a shared commitment to raising the bar,” said Amanda Danielson, a co-creator of the event and founder of Intentional Agriculture. “If we want Michigan wine to continue growing in reputation and quality, the conversation can’t happen in silos. It has to include the people farming the grapes, the people making the wines, and the people evaluating, purchasing and presenting them to guests.”
In 2026, the program will include a structured evaluation of Michigan wines using chemical analysis by E.J. Gallo Scientist Nick Dokoozlian to better understand what drives quality in local winemaking. Jacopo Miolo, general manager of the globally known firm Simonit and Sirch, will highlight methods to improve vine health and longevity in Michigan’s cool climate. Tom Plocher, owner of Plocher Vines, will discuss disease-resistant grape varieties and how they fit into wine production in Michigan.
Dirt to Glass is a collaboration between the nonprofit Intentional Agriculture, Michigan State University Department of Horticulture and Michigan grape and wine industry partners.
Dirt to Glass 2026 includes participation from industry experts worldwide as well as Michigan winery leaders like:
· Tomas Moreno Jr., vineyard manager at Bel Lago
· David Bos, owner of BOS Wine
· Derrick Vogel, owner of Folklor Wine and Cider
· Jon Hinkelman, owner of Hinkelman Farms
· Joe Herman, farmer formerly of Karma Vista Vineyards
· Marcel Lenz, PhD educated farmer at Leelanau Cellars
· Andrew Backlin, owner of Modales Wines
· Kasey Wierzba, executive winemaker and general manager at Shady Lane Cellars
The 2026 Dirt to Glass program features 29 speakers, from Michigan growers, vineyard managers and producers to national and international industry experts. The format blends technical presentations with moderated panel discussions, educational guided wine tastings and in-the-field visits to area vineyards. The experience allows participants to compare approaches, troubleshoot challenges and leave with strategies they can implement immediately in Michigan vineyards and wineries.
Five years in, Danielson said, the conference is making an impact. “We are working together to define quality, build credibility and make sure the people who influence the market can understand and advocate for Michigan wines with confidence,” she said.
The conference is held at Cathedral Barn at Historic Barn Park, 1500 Red Drive in Traverse City.
Registration includes lunch and the Walk Around Tasting event on Aug. 20. It is open now with discounted rates for early registrants at https://tickets.traversecityfoodandwine.com/events/2026/dirt-to-glass-2026-event-information-and-registration
Walk around tasting
Day 1 of Dirt to Glass 2026 culminates with a Walk Around Tasting that includes more than 100 wines from across the globe. It will be guest-hosted by Susan Kostrzewa and is open to both conference-goers and the public. This curated experience showcases how Michigan’s most compelling wines stand alongside wines from producers around the world.
“These wines have the quality, seriousness and sense of place to stand side by side with counterparts from around the world,” said Danielson. “This is a chance to show that Michigan wine does not need to be qualified or apologized for. It belongs at the table.”
The public tasting event runs 6-9 p.m. Aug. 20, 2026 at Kirkbride Hall, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, 700 Cottageview Drive, Ste. 200, in Traverse City.
Tickets are $89.60 and available online https://tickets.traversecityfoodandwine.com/events/2026/dirt-to-glass-2026-day-1-registration. Learn more at https://www.traversecity.com/food-wine/events/dirt-to-glass/
