BARODA — Lake Michigan Vintners is hosting an evening of wine education, led by Lake Michigan College Wine and Viticulture Technology Program Director Michael Moyer.

The educational class will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Lake Michigan Vintners Tasting Room is located in downtown Baroda on 8972 First St. in Baroda.

Moyer will teach attendees the basics of winemaking and the variations of style and flavor. Guests will be guided through an informative tasting of Lake Michigan Vintners wines, which are produced by the students enrolled in Lake Michigan College’s Wine & Viticulture Technology program.

Moyer was recruited by Lake Michigan College from the state of Washington to run the program in 2014. Since earning his master’s degree in enology from University of California-Davis, Moyer worked for some of the nation’s most esteemed wineries. Now Moyer has become an evangelist for Michigan wine.

Earlier this summer, Lake Michigan Vintners opened its tasting room in downtown Baroda, located across from Baroda Founders Winery and Tasting Room. The tasting room is staffed by LMC wine program students, and Brand Manager, Laura Morris. The tasting room allows students to experience direct to consumer sales first-hand, and is a hub to promote Michigan wines, and most specifically the wines of southwest Michigan.

At the tasting room, Lake Michigan Vintners offers nine small batch, limited production varietals and blends made from locally sourced fruit. Lake Michigan vintners also offers a small bite pairing menu, as well as artisan cheeses and meats.

Wine 101 aims to help guests learn more about Michigan wines and what makes southwest Michigan’s wines so unique.

Light snacks will also be provided to accompany the tasting. This event is limited to 20 guests.

About the Wine and Viticulture Technology Program:

The teaching winery is the first of its kind in the Midwest.

Lake Michigan College launched the Wine and Viticulture Technology program with the support of leading wineries spanning along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail up to Old Mission Peninsula.

Their aim is to foster the next generation of expert winemakers, and to advance the state in its burgeoning status as a recognized, world class wine region.

Students of the program experience every aspect of the wine industry, including vineyard management, winemaking and lab analysis. LMC collaborates with Lake Michigan Vintners, the first and only commercial teaching winery in the Midwest to offer hands-on training in all aspects of business and tasting room operations.

“Southwest Michigan has a longer growing season than Burgundy, France, but we’re still one of the best kept secrets in the wine world,” said Moyer. “It’s exciting to partner with our area wineries who have been laying the groundwork and see our potential unfolding.”

To learn more:

Visit: lakemichigancollege.edu/wine.

Location: Downtown Baroda on 8972 First St.

When: The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. They are closed Monday to Wednesday