This workshop will benefit winemakers, cellar workers, winery staff, and wine enthusiasts who seek a deeper understanding of these topics and their impact on a winery’s success. In addition, workshop attendees will be guided through sensory test methods to access perceived differences and preferences in wine.

Topics include: Welcome and Introduction to Tasting, White Sensory Standards, Red Sensory Standards, and Evaluating Palate Attributes: Alcohol, Acid, and Tannin Wine Defects, Descriptive Wine Analysis of White Wines, Descriptive Analysis of Red Wines, Laboratory Investigating, Wine Competition Methodology and Professional Wine Rating Systems. A certificate will be awarded after the completion of this workshop.

Mike Ward is a Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Spirits, Certified Wine Educator and has successfully completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 2 Intermediate exam. Mike completed certification at the Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy. His passion and expertise have led him to become a member of the Society of Wine Educators.

This workshop will benefit winemakers, cellar workers, winery staff, and wine enthusiasts who seek a deeper understanding of these topics and their impact on a winery’s success. In addition, workshop attendees will be guided through sensory test methods to access perceived differences and preferences in wine.

Topics include: Welcome and Introduction to Tasting, White Sensory Standards, Red Sensory Standards, and Evaluating Palate Attributes: Alcohol, Acid, and Tannin Wine Defects, Descriptive Wine Analysis of White Wines, Descriptive Analysis of Red Wines, Laboratory Investigating, Wine Competition Methodology and Professional Wine Rating Systems. A certificate will be awarded after the completion of this workshop.

Cristin has provided consulting services to many Northern Michigan producers for everything from Tasting Room Training to Start-Up and Operations. Her husband Brian is the winemaker at Chateau Chantal and Hawthorne Vineyards, and together they own a farm on Old Mission where they grow a diverse variety of grapes and flowers.  Additionally, Cristin is the Managing Partner of a start-up winery called the 1855 Project, in its infancy. 

Cristin received a top notch education, on the job, from Charlie Edson, PhD, at Bel Lago Vineyards and Winery, where she served as the Operations Manager and Assistant Winemaker for 7 years and was in charge of day to day operations of the Tasting Room, Cellar and Custom Crush clients.  Cristin had the opportunity to work with over 100 grape varietals under Charlie’s tutelage and has served on many boards and committees furthering the Michigan Wine Industry.

This workshop will benefit winemakers, cellar workers, winery staff, and wine enthusiasts who seek a deeper understanding of these topics and their impact on a winery’s success. In addition, workshop attendees will be guided through sensory test methods to access perceived differences and preferences in wine.

Topics include: Welcome and Introduction to Tasting, White Sensory Standards, Red Sensory Standards, and Evaluating Palate Attributes: Alcohol, Acid, and Tannin Wine Defects, Descriptive Wine Analysis of White Wines, Descriptive Analysis of Red Wines, Laboratory Investigating, Wine Competition Methodology and Professional Wine Rating Systems. A certificate will be awarded after the completion of this workshop.