LMC Breaks Ground On Wine Center

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Lake Michigan College has broken ground on its new wine making facility. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News the 14,000 square foot Wine and Viticulture Center will be a state of the art home for the college’s wine production program.

“[It] will take our current wine program from the borrowed space in the Mendel Center and allow us to expand it even larger in its own facility, meaning we can train more students to go into the industry,” Kubatzke said.

The facility will include a winery with a large tank room, barrel room, storage area, and laboratory. It will also have classroom space. Kubatzke tells us the construction of the Wine and Viticulture Center shows LMC is committed to its wine program long-term.

“Look around the county,” Kubatzke said. “The wine industry continues to mature and grow here in Berrien County and in southwest Michigan, and so we feel very comfortable that there’s going to be a need here for many years to come.”

The $7 million Wine and Viticulture Center is located on the Napier Avenue campus of LMC in Benton Township. The construction cost was offset with donations and state contributions. Kubatzke says southwest Michigan’s vibrant wine industry creates an opportunity for LMC to train winemakers from all over the region.