BARODA — In the spirit of this year’s bountiful harvest, Lake Michigan Vintners and The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College are teaming up to offer a wine and farm to table small bite progressive tasting.

Four small bites and four Lake Michigan Vintners wines have been paired to show off the talent of both the LMC Wine and Viticulture Technology students, and the creative creations of The Mendel Center, organizers said.

LMC student musicians Lindsey Ludens and Masa Sekioka will be performing a jazz duo during the tasting to showcase LMC’s Music Department.

The event will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, hosted at Lake Michigan Vintners Tasting Room in downtown Baroda. Tickets are $25 per person.

Guests may register for the event via email to Laura Morris at lmorris@lakemichigancollege.edu or by calling (269) 927-4731. This event is limited to 50 guests, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Local southwest Michigan farms will be featured, including Ellis Family Farms of Benton Harbor.

The menu will begin with three savory pairings, and conclude with a sweet pairing. Wine by the glass and bottle will be available for purchase.

Menu

• Balsamic roasted grapes with blue cheese on crostini, paired with 2015 Lake Michigan Vintners Riesling

• White Chicken Chili, paired with 2015 Lake Michigan Vintners Seyval Blanc

• BBQ cauliflower and chickpea tacos, paired with Lake Michigan Vintners 2015 Wavelength Red

• Michigan apple pie roll, paired with Lake Michigan Vintners 2016 Wavelength White

Earlier this summer, Lake Michigan Vintners opened their 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.

The tasting room is also a hub to promote Michigan wines, and most specifically the wines of southwest Michigan.

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

Lake Michigan Vintners will be featured at several Mendel Center events this fall, including The Mendel Center Mainstage events, as well as the Economic Club speaker series.

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

The program is designed 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. It’s exciting to partner with our area wineries who have been laying the groundwork and see our potential unfolding,” says Michael Moyer, program director.

To learn more about the Lake Michigan College Wine and Viticulture Technology program, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/wine.