Michigan grape and wine students are successful professional wine writers

Enrolled Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) students have used their talents as writers with the on-line publication, Midwest Wine Press.

The growth of Michigan wineries and increased reputation of the wine they produce had garnered media attention. Midwest Wine Press is an online publication which dedicates itself to the winery industry and related topics.

While attending the 2012 Michigan Wine & Grape Conference, Midwest Wine Press Editor Mark Ganchiff inquired about finding more locally-based writers to enhance the publication. Soon Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (MSU IAT) off-campus coordinators, Stacey Rocklin and Andy Norman, were on the trail of student writers enrolled in Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) on-line courses.

Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) National Center of Excellence is a partnership between two-year colleges and universities in 15 states with a 21st Century vision for education, grape growing and winemaking. Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology is Michigan’s partner in the alliance.

VESTA enrollees, Emily Paquette and Matt Maniscalco, answered Ganchiff’s call and were soon making contributions to Midwest Wine Press.

“Matt Maniscalco has done a fantastic job writing varietal profiles for Midwest Wine Press,” said Ganchiff. “The five stories he has written about Midwestern wine grapes have all been top quality. Matt's education and experience allow him to get information from professional winemakers and grape growers that is of interest to Midwest Wine Press readers.”

For more information, visit VESTA or MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology online or call 517-355-0190. 

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