Hard cider release marks expanded Lake Michigan College wine and viticulture program curriculum

Grand Lac Cider now available at Lake Michigan Vintners

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – Hard cider production is an emerging industry in Michigan, with the state now standing as the second-largest producer of the craft beverage in the country. According to the 2025 Economic Impact Study of the Michigan Craft Beverage Industry, more than 135 Michigan beverage makers craft hard cider, producing over 1.2 million gallons annually. Wineries and cideries in Southwest Michigan are instrumental in this growth, making the region one of the top in the state for production of the centuries-old beverage.

Lake Michigan College’s Wine and Viticulture Technology program is preparing students for this opportunity by adding hard cider production to the curriculum. As a result, Lake Michigan Vintners, the working enterprise and commercial arm of the College’s Wine and Viticulture Technology program, has announced the release of Grand Lac Cider. 

Named for Lake Michigan, Grand Lac honors the waters that have shaped Southwest Michigan agriculture for generations. The student-crafted cider celebrates the region’s orchard heritage while showcasing the hands-on learning experiences that define the program. 

"We challenge students to move beyond theory and make real production decisions. This project required students to think like beverage makers rather than simply following instructions," said Tim Godfrey, Director of Wine and Viticulture Technology at Lake Michigan College. "It mirrors the creative and analytical process used throughout the beverage industry while reminding students that there is rarely one correct path to creating something great."

For this release, the cider base began with fresh-pressed juice sourced through Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor. The juice was created from a blend of experimental apple breeding selections grown in one of the center’s research blocks, including numerous unnamed varieties.

“Partnerships like this connect agricultural research with education and industry. Seeing students work with apples from our experimental plantings creates a meaningful bridge between research and the next generation of beverage professionals," said Mike de Schaaf, Farm Manager, Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center.

Students applied fermentation principles to create a cider style of their own. They made independent decisions, choosing fermentation techniques intended to deliver specific sensory outcomes. Some used stainless steel fermentations to preserve bright apple character and freshness, while others aged cider in barrels to develop additional texture and complexity. Grand Lac ultimately became a blend of these approaches.

Students then traveled to Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville, where they worked alongside the winery team to learn about beverage canning while packaging the cider on the winery’s canning line.

“The beverage industry benefits when we create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience. We were happy to partner on Grand Lac and give students a chance to experience canning and production in a commercial setting,” said Fenn Valley Vineyards Winemaker Matt Jannette.

Grand Lac Cider is available to enjoy onsite or for to-go purchase at the Lake Michigan Vintners tasting room on Lake Michigan College’s Benton Harbor campus. The tasting room is located at 2744 E. Empire Ave. Its hours are Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

Guests can also explore new beverage experiences offered this summer, including barrel tastings, wine and cheese pairings, and educational guided tastings with LMC staff and educators. More information and reservations are available at www.lakemichiganvintners.com. 

About Lake Michigan Vintners
Lake Michigan Vintners is the teaching winery of Lake Michigan College and serves as a commercial learning environment for students in the Wine and Viticulture Technology program. Students gain hands-on experience in vineyard management, winemaking, sensory evaluation, production, packaging, and hospitality while creating wines and beverages that reflect Southwest Michigan agriculture and craftsmanship.

About the Lake Michigan College Viticulture Program
Lake Michigan College operates the only teaching winery in the Midwest. Nestled in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s wine country along the shores of Lake Michigan, the LMC Viticulture program connects career seekers, hobbyists, and lifelong learners with industry professionals to explore and learn the finer points of creating wines, from vine to glass. In just 18-24 months, students get hands-on, real-world experience with every facet of the wine industry as they work toward their associate degree. More information about the program is available at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/academics/culinary-wineviticulture/wine-and-viticulture.