Celebrate National Vodka Day (Saturday, October 4) with Michigan-Made Spirits

Saturday, October 4 is “National Vodka Day” and Michigan distilleries are proud to showcase their locally-crafted spirits in celebration!

Currently, several vodkas are made in the Great Lakes State, including:

• 28 Island Vodka – Two James Spirits, Detroit
• Apollo Horseradish Vodka – Northern Latitudes, Lake Leelanau
• Civilized Sakura Cherry Vodka – Civilized Spirits, Traverse City
• Civilized Vodka – Civilized Spirts, Traverse City
• Coppercraft Citrus Vodka – Coppercraft Distilling, Holland
• Coppercraft Vodka – Coppercraft Distilling, Holland
• Deer Camp Vodka – Northern Latitudes, Lake Leelanau
• DiVine Vodka – Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery, Baroda
• Dutchess Vodka – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Holland
• Flat Lander’s Vodka – Flat Lander’s Barstillery, Grand Rapids
• Ice Dunes Vodka – Northern Latitudes, Lake Leelanau
• Grey Heron Vodka – St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw
• Old Mission Spirits Vodka – Old Mission Micro Distillery, Traverse City
• Red Arrow Vodka – Journeyman Distilling, Three Oaks
• Red Cedar Spirits Vodka – Red Cedar Spirits, East Lansing
• True North Vodka – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• True North Cherry Flavored Vodka – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• True North Chocolate Flavored Vodka – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• True North Wheat Vodka - Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• Ugly Dog Bacon Vodka – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea
• Ugly Dog Black Cherry Vodka – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea
• Ugly Dog Raspberry Vodka – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea
• Ugly Dog Vodka – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea
• Ugly Dog Whipped Cream Vodka – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea
• Valentine Vodka – Valentine Distilling, Ferndale
• White Blossom – Valentine Distilling, Ferndale

Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #4 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries (behind California, Oregon and Washington). To help unify the interests of the more than two dozen Michigan distilleries, the non-profit Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in 2014 to market the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.

www.SpiritsOfMichigan.com
www.facebook.com/SpiritsOfMichigan
www.twitter.com/MichiganSpirits

#MiDistillers #MiSpirits

Gilmore Car Museum Continues to Grow with Grand Opening of The Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum on Sunday, September 28

The Gilmore Car Museum will once again make history as it celebrates the Grand Opening of the new Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

Located on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum, this 10,000 square-foot building is dedicated to maintaining and exhibiting collectible Cadillacs and LaSalles, with the focus of the new museum and research center being to protect, promote and share the exciting history of these premier automobiles as well as their impact in the United States and worldwide over the past 100-plus years.

Throughout history, Cadillac has set the standard for automotive excellence since 1902, when Henry Leland persuaded the owners of a failing Detroit car company to reorganize and build cars using his precision-designed and manufactured engine.

In the beginning, Henry Leland had worked as a precision machinist for Colt firearms in Connecticut before moving to Detroit and starting his own machine shop. His precision and demand for accuracy led Cadillac to become one of the most prestigious American autos and is referred to as “The Standard of the World.”

LaSalle was introduced in 1927 to fill the price gap between Buick and Cadillac, and was produced through 1940. The marque is credited with moving General Motors’ styling away from engineering and creating its own department: the “Art and Colour Design Studio” headed by Harley Earl.

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club was established in 1958 to encourage the preservation of early Cadillacs and LaSalles. Then in 1995, determined to preserve the Cadillac legacy, several members of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club founded the Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center (CLCMRC) and the process of site selection, building designs, and fundraising began.

“After an exhaustive survey of potential museum partners across the Country, we are pleased to be joining the Gilmore Car Museum,” said Paul Ayres, President of the CLCMRC. “The Gilmore is rapidly becoming the nation’s premier auto museum,” he said.

The all-new 10,000 square foot museum structure is modeled after a 1948 dealership design from the pages of General Motors book “Planning Automobile Dealer Properties” of that year.

The grand opening of the Cadillac-LaSalle Museum will contain the excitement and anticipation reminiscent of how the new model year cars were unveiled each September at local dealerships. Prior to the opening, the showroom windows will be completely covered with a banner announcing “See the New Standard of the World – Cadillac for 1948.”

On Sunday September 28th, starting at 2:00pm as part of the Museum’s Dedication Ceremony, the covering will be removed to unveil the new Museum and welcome the public inside for the first time.

Michael Spezia, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum, expressed, “With the addition of the Cadillac-LaSalle Museum to the Gilmore campus we now become one of the more unique historic destinations, not just within the car collecting hobby but with the general public as well.”

Within the new Museum, guests will find nearly two-dozen automobiles within, including a very rare 1903 example from of Cadillac’s first year of production; a 1937 LaSalle Convertible Sedan, 1957 Cadillac Brougham used in the film "Driving Miss Daisy,” as well as a 1992 Indy 500 Pace car and the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen show car.

Prominent in the showroom on opening day and paying homage to the vintage dealership’s facade will be two 1948 Cadillacs – a 60 Special Sedan and a 75 Series Limousine.

Besides the fantastic automobiles displayed within the new museum structure visitors will also find an array of artifacts, memorabilia and educational exhibits that tell the entire story of Cadillac and LaSalle. There will be tributes to Cadillac’s founder Henry Leland, to the firm’s production history, its support of the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II and its history of providing Presidential limousines.

Hundreds of Cadillac & LaSalle automobiles, owners, enthusiasts and Club members are expected to attend the event, which is open to the public. Special guests will include Dave Leone, Cadillac Brand Lead Executive Chief Engineer, Margaret Dunning, who at 104 is a renowned philanthropist and auto enthusiast, as well as many other Cadillac design and engineering retirees. Cadillac & LaSalle owners who are members of the national Cadillac-LaSalle Club can also take part in the weekend-long Cadillac Fall Festival.

The Gilmore Car Museum, located in Hickory Corners, near Kalamazoo in Michigan, is renowned for its collection of over 375 extraordinary vehicles, as well as its 90-acre park-like campus made up of historic buildings. A small town train depot, 1930s gas station, 1941 diner, and a re-created auto dealerships including 1918 Franklin, 1928 Ford Model A, 1930s Lincoln are just a few of the buildings currently on the ever-expanding grounds. The Gilmore Car Museum also serves as home to the Classic Car Club of America Museum, the Pierce-Arrow Museum, the H.H. Franklin Club Museum, the Model A Ford Foundation Museum and Lincoln Motorcar Foundation Museum, which also opened on the Gilmore campus earlier this year.

To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum and the Cadillac & LaSalle Club please visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org and CadillacLasalleClub.org.

Bridge Street Tap Room Brings Michigan-Centric Beer & Food Menu to Downtown Charlevoix

The Lake Michigan port town of Charlevoix welcomes the Bridge Street Tap Room, a Michigan-centric craft beverage haven overlooking beautiful Round Lake, Bridge Park and the town’s famed drawbridge.

Opened in mid-June, Bridge Street Tap Room is owned by Rich Bergmann, Adam Engelman, Aaron Hagen and Phil Parr – collectively known as The Round Lake Group LLC.

“The Bridge Street Tap room takes tremendous pride in the State of Michigan and strives to be as Michigan-centric as possible,” says partner and Director of Marketing Adam Engelman. “We’re very excited to share our passion for local with our community and its year-round visitors.”

The roughly 1000 square-foot pub features 32 taps filled exclusively with Michigan products – typically, 27 craft beers, two hard ciders, two selections from Northwoods Soda and Syrup and a sparkling white wine made by M. Lawrence Winery.

The Tap Room offers an exclusively Michigan wine portfolio featuring some of the best wines from the state, while a limited liquor selection features several of the state’s craft distilleries. They also offer a specialty cocktail menu that feature recipes utilizing Michigan spirits, craft beers and local fruits or products.

The pub menu also draws local inspiration, using many regional growers and providers, including a Michigan meat and cheese platter, house-made salmon pate, local whitefish sausage, Oleson’s cherry brats, Ebel’s brisket, Charlie’s Chips and much more.

The attention to local goes beyond just the food and beverage menu at the Bridge Street Tap Room. The chairs and barstools were manufactured by the Grand Rapids Chair Company, while the bar and tables were handcrafted and built by master woodworkers in Olivet, using local hardwoods. The walls are adorned with pictures sourced from the Charlevoix Historical Society. Even the logo wear and glassware, available for purchase, were designed and printed locally.

Bridge Street Tap Room located at 202 Bridge Street in downtown Charlevoix, on the back side of the block overlooking Round Lake. It is open 7 days a week, from 11am to 11pm. Let the Bridge Street Tap Room deliver an exceptional all-Michigan experience.

Hudsonville Ice Cream Headed to "Taste of Traverse City" for Labor Day Weekend

Michigan-based Hudsonville Ice Cream is making its inaugural appearance at the “Taste of Traverse City” event on Saturday, August 30 from Noon to 6pm at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.

Chef Ray Sierengowski, Director of Product Development for Hudsonville Ice Cream, will be scooping up samples of Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge and making “Bacon Maple Sundaes” with Classic Vanilla Ice Cream.

Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge is inspired by the “Cherry Capital of the World” – evoking the taste of chocolate covered cherries by blending sweet chunks of cherries, creamy amaretto-flavored ice cream and a thick ripples of fudge. It’s described as “vacation in a bowl” for good reason!

“We’re very excited to have a presence this year at the Taste of Traverse City,” says Sierengowski. “It’s going to be a great way to end this Pure Michigan summer in one of the state’s top tourist cities.”

Started in 1895 as a farmers’ cooperative, the Holland-based Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream is the largest manufacturer of branded ice cream in Michigan. For more than 80 years, this Midwest company has been producing its creamy, delicious ice cream – using many of its original flavors, while at the same time creating refreshing new recipes inspired by the Great Lakes.

Celebrate #WorldGinDay - Saturday, June 14 - with these Michigan-Made Spirits

The 6th Annual World Gin Day returns on Saturday, June 14 and Michigan distilleries are proud to showcase their locally-crafted spirits in celebration!

World Gin Day (#WorldGinDay) is a celebration of all things gin – giving connoisseurs a legitimate “excuse” to mix up a cocktail and learn about all of the exceptional gins that are currently on the market – especially those #MadeInMichigan.

Currently, a handful of gins are made in the Great Lakes State, including:

• Bilberry Black Hearts Organic Gin – Journeymen Distilling, Three Oaks
• Civilized Gin – Civilized Spirits, Traverse City
• Coppercraft Gin – Coppercraft Distilling, Holland
• Flatlanders Gin – Flat Landers Distillery, Grand Rapids
• Graying Gin – Two Birds Distilling, Kalamazoo
• Jack Pine Gin – Northern Latitudes Distillery, Lake Leelanau
• Knickerbocker Gin & Barrel Aged Knickerbocker Gin – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Holland
• Liberator Gin & Liberator Old Tom Gin – Valentine Distilling, Ferndale (Detroit)
• Old Cockney Gin – Two James Artisan Spirits, Detroit
• Peninsula Gin – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• Ugly Dog Gin – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea

Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #4 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries (behind California, Oregon and Washington). To help unify the interests of the more than two dozen Michigan distilleries, the non-profit Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in 2014 to market the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.

www.SpiritsOfMichigan.com
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#MiDistillers #MiSpirits

Michigan Distilleries Unite to Form Statewide Organization - Michigan Craft Distillers Association

Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #4 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries (behind California, Oregon and Washington). To help unify the interests of the more than two dozen Michigan distilleries, a statewide association has been formed.

The Michigan Craft Distillers Association is a non-profit organization charged with marketing the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.

Founding board members for the Michigan Craft Distillers Association are:

• President: Rifino Valentine, Valentine Distilling
• Vice President: Kent Rabish, Grand Traverse Distillery
• Secretary: Don Coe, Black Star Farms
• Treasurer: Kris Berglund, Red Cedar Spirits & Artisan Distilling at Michigan State University
• Director: Brett Vander Kamp, New Holland Artisan Spirits

Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan will serve as the association’s part-time Executive Director.

“In 2012, I was approached by several of the Michigan distilleries to research and form an organization to represent the industry’s needs,” says Stampfler, who has also worked as the publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild since 2008. “It’s been a time-consuming process and although no formal organization was in place, the distilleries have been communicating and working together to develop and enhance their industry.”

Earlier this spring, through its grass-roots connections, Michigan distillers were encouraged to contact their local State Representatives when a “Farm to Glass” bill was introduced that originally didn’t include distilled spirits. As a result, lines of communication between the distillers and legislators were opened. The association’s board and executive director have been asked to meet with other Michigan craft beverage producers in June to see where there are overlapping needs that the groups can work collectively to reach. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has also reached out to the association for help in planning a business-to-business summit in November.

“Even though the association wasn’t officially formed, the board and many of our future members have been working on various levels to raise awareness for Michigan’s craft distilling industry,” Stampfler says. “Not only is there is regular communication among the distilleries, but our social media channels are full of news clips focused on this rapidly-expanding industry. We’ve been busy – and now, we can formally move forward as the state’s official organization.”

Within the first year of operation, the Michigan Craft Distillers Association will strengthen its ties with other Michigan associations as well as national distiller organizations like the American Craft Distillers Association and the American Distilling Institute.

A directory and map identifying distillery locations is in the works, aimed to boost visits the individual tasting rooms and distilleries. The guide will also serve to encourage residents and visitors alike to seek out, ask for and sample the many Michigan-made craft spirits that are available in the marketplace. This publication will be distributed statewide at the Welcome Centers, chamber offices and visitor bureau offices, and will also be available online at SpiritsOfMichigan.com.

The Michigan Craft Distillers Association will offer membership to any operation actively distilling craft beverages in Michigan, as well as suppliers and retail establishments such as pubs, restaurants and beverage stores. An Enthusiast level membership will be offered in the future, allowing individual members of the general public to support the craft distilling industry.

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Valentine Distilling Introduces Latest Spirit: Woodward Whiskey

What started as a top secret project five years ago has now been released as Valentine Distilling’s latest spirit – Woodward Ltd. Whiskey. It is the fourth product in the portfolio for Rifino Valentine, distiller and owner of the Ferndale, Michigan distillery and tasting bar.

In classic Valentine fashion, the front label of the Woodward Whiskey is striking – a red background with silver graphics resembling the grill of a classic car – complete with a small Belle icon. The back label shares Woodward’s philosophy:

“Handcrafted classic automobiles wait patiently in garages to cruise America’s #1 highway. Woodward Limited – Bourbon handcrafted from corn, rye and barley – has waited patiently for more than four years in maple-infused oak casks. This is not a race. This is a cruise. Our garage door has opened. Enjoy the ride.”

Earlier this year, Valentine released Liberator Gin – which has since won the “Best of Category – Gold Medal” and “Best of Class” for the Contemporary Rectified Gin at the American Distilling Institute’s 7th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits competition as well as a Gold Medal (90 point rating) from the Beverage Testing Institute’s International Review of Spirits Competition.

First introduced to the marketplace in March 2009, award-winning triple-grain Valentine Vodka was Detroit’s first micro-distilled spirit since Prohibition. In 2012, Valentine released the delicate and fragrant White Blossom – infused with the flowers of Elderflower. Soon after its release, White Blossom won a Gold Medal – rated Exceptional – receiving a 92 point rating from the BTI.

Last year, the original Valentine Vodka was recognized by Anthony Dias Blue, editor-in-chief of The Tasting Panel magazine as one of the top vodkas in the world with a 94-point ranking – placing higher than noted international brands like Belvedere, Ketel One, Grey Goose and Absolut. It was awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012. In 2011, it received a Double Gold Medal in the “Best Domestic Vodka” category by TheFiftyBest.com. The BTI also awarded Valentine Vodka with a Gold Medal “Exceptional” in both 2010 and 2011.

“Our goal from the beginning, has been to bring manufacturing back not only to this country, but to Detroit,” says Rifino Valentine, master-distiller and owner of Valentine Distilling Co., in Ferndale. “We’ve always set our sights on crafting spirits that compete on the international level. To win these competitions, topping some of the biggest and best companies in the world, is not only personally satisfying, but also serves the economic purpose of bringing manufacturing back. Our philosophy has always been ‘don’t drink Valentine spirits just because they are local – drink them because they are better.’”

Valentine Distilling Co., products can now be found in more than 2400 outlets throughout Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee and New York.

VALENTINE DISTILLING CO.
161 Vester Street
Ferndale, Michigan

www.ValentineDistilling.com
www.facebook.com/ValentineVodka
www.twitter.com/ValentineVodka

Michigan Wine Goes Viral: CherriesAndGrapes.com

Cherries & Grapes, a Michigan-based business, launched an online marketplace in August offering a variety of Michigan wine and specialty products. Consumers can now have their favorite wine, cider and specialty products shipped directly from Michigan producers on the CherriesAndGrapes.com marketplace. Likewise, Michigan businesses can now easily and safely offer their products online, with no upfront cost.

“We are doubling down on Michigan,” says the Cherries & Grapes Team. “Anyone that has spent time in our great state knows that Michigan has amazing products and wonderful people. We’re putting our money on that winning combination.”

Wineries and cider producers are now able to quickly get up-and-running with CherriesAndGrapes.com, complete with automated ID verification and logistics assistance.

“We like to think that we make life easier for Michigan businesses that want to sell online,” representatives from Cherries & Grapes says. “The best part is that producers avoid the headaches of developing their own solution, and leverage the collective marketing and technology experience offered by Cherries & Grapes.”

According to Michael Mikhjian, Cherries & Grapes Chief Technology Officer, a store can be online and processing orders in a day or two.

Cherries & Grape’s first online retail store is Chateau de Leelanau, a Michigan Vineyard and Winery located just north of Traverse City on the Leelanau Peninsula.

“Chateau de Leelanau has award-winning wines, but they are not available outside their tasting room in Suttons Bay,” comments the team. “By offering their wines on CherriesAndGrapes.com, they are able to deliver wine to customers anywhere in Michigan in a very cost-effective way.”

In addition to providing an online storefront, Cherries & Grapes also promotes its partners on various social media platforms and via other marketing channels.

Companies interested in featuring their wine, cider and specialty products on CherriesAndGrapes.com should email: Info@CherriesAndGrapes.com.

Cherries and Grapes, LLC
2232 S Main St., Suite 441
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6938

www.CherriesAndGrapes.com
www.facebook.com/CherriesandGrapes
www.twitter.com/CherriesGrapes

Sweet Celebration Planned at Murdick's Fudge - The Original Mackinac Island Fudge Shop Celebrates 125th Anniversary on July 26

Visitors to the Original Mackinac Island fudge shop, Murdick’s, will enjoy a sweet celebration this Thursday, July 26, 2012. Murdick’s Fudge Mackinac Island will celebrate their 125th anniversary with free samples, promotions and more!

“We want everyone to share in our excitement as we celebrate our 125th anniversary,” commented Bob Benser, Jr., co-owner, Murdick’s Fudge Mackinac Island. “We are happy to share Murdick’s birthday fudge (You didn’t really think a fudge shop would celebrate with cake, did you?) with all of our visitors on Thursday.”

The first 125 customers in each of the five Straits area stores (Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City and St. Ignace) will receive a free slice of fudge. In addition, visitors to the stores will receive a 1/3 slice of fudge to enjoy while shopping. Customers can also pick up limited-edition treats created for the 125th Anniversary, including Triple Chocolate Espresso fudge as well as Almond Brittle.

While Mackinac Island doesn’t claim to have created fudge, Murdick’s Fudge does claim to have started the tradition and perfected this delicious confectionary treat. Fudge making began as Mackinac Island transitioned from a wealthy fur trading post to a famous summer resort. In 1887, as resorts were being planned and constructed, Mackinac's first candy shop, Murdick's Candy Kitchen, opened. It was here that the marble table was first used to make fudge, a process which gave the fudge a unique texture and also provided a great show for visitors. Over the years, music was added along with large ceiling fans to blow the sweet smell of fudge into the street.

The Original Mackinac Island Fudge, since 1887, Murdick’s has been serving fresh homemade fudge, brittle and confections from the finest all-natural ingredients. For more information, and to order online, visit www.murdicks.com.

To plan your Mackinac Island getaway, including a stop at Murdick’s Fudge Mackinac Island, go to www.mackinacisland.org.

Trattoria Stella Hosts 7th Anniversary Stellar Picnic

In celebration of its 7th Anniversary, Trattoria Stella restaurant is hosting a “Stellar Picnic” on Sunday, June 19 (Father’s Day) from Noon to 4pm on the Great Lawn of Building 50 in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Bring the entire family for a day full of locally grown and raised foods from area farms, music and children’s activities. The event is held rain or shine and guests are invited to BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) as tables and chairs will not be available.

Admission is free with lunch priced at $10 for adults and $2 for children; profits benefit the Michigan Land Use Institute. Advance tickets are available now at Trattoria Stella.

Trattoria Stella opened in 2004 and is the anchor business in the quarter-mile-long Building 50 at the former Northern Michigan Asylum. Stella offers a daily changing menu featuring responsibly-sourced ingredients from local farms, including heritage breeds of pig, lamb and steer; year-round fresh produce; plus house-made pasta, bread and fresh cheeses; as well as a wine list of over 200 carefully curated selections. Stella is owned and operated by Paul and Amanda Danielson, along with the award-winning Chef Myles Anton.

Trattoria Stella
1200 West Eleventh Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-929-8989
www.StellaTC.com

Valentine Vodka Wins Gold Medal at BTI Competition – Making it one of the World’s Top Vodkas

Michigan-made Valentine Vodka has been awarded a Gold medal ranking during the Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI) 20101 International Review of Spirits Competition – the largest and most prestigious annual spirits competition in the United States. The BTI gave Valentine Vodka a rating of 90 in the “Unflavored Vodka” category.

“Exceptional,” wrote BTI. “Clear. Mild aromas of banana and coconut pudding and pastry aromas with a silky off-dry medium-to-full body and a creamy, peppery spice and talc finish. Very lively and tasty.”

The International Review of Spirits is the most authoritative, influential and respected annual spirits competition in the United States. Major and boutique spirits producers and importers from around the world participate in the competitions each year.

Founded in 1981, BTI is recognized as one of America’s premier, independent, alcoholic beverage review organizations by leaders of the beverage industry. Millions of consumers look to BTI's fair and impartial reviews on Tastings.com when making decisions regarding the purchase of spirits.

“I founded this company with the goal of creating a world-class vodka right here in Michigan. We’ve always known that we were onto something special, but it’s really nice to get confirmation on this international level,” says founder Rifino Valentine. “To be judged as one of the world’s finest vodkas, is truly an honor. Not only is this a win for the state of Michigan, it’s a step in the right direction of our stated goal to help change the economic structure of Michigan by producing world-class products right here.”

As Detroit’s first micro distilled spirit since Prohibition, Valentine Vodka is well on its way to setting the standard for ultra-premium hand-crafted vodka with its clean, crisp and uniquely flavorful taste. As one of the first distilleries in the world to use a multi-grain recipe, Valentine Vodka proudly utilizes a blend of Red Michigan wheat, malted barley and corn, which all come directly from Michigan farmers and suppliers.

Rifino Valentine – the man behind Valentine Vodka – is a native of Leelanau County. A graduate of Cornell University, where he earned a BA in Economics, Rifino spent 11 years on Wall Street as an independent trader before founding his own successful trading firm. He returned to his home state in 2005 to create Valentine Vodka.

Through his hand-crafted products, Rifino hopes to draw on the inspiration and history that the City of Detroit brings when it comes to distilled spirits, as he develops and grows Valentine Vodka. After 3 years of intense research and study, Valentine Vodka reached the market in March, 2009.

For a list of retail outlets carrying Valentine Vodka, as well as a menu of signature cocktails, log onto www.ValentineVodka.com (www.facebook.com/valentinevodka).

Michigan Brothers Seek to Shake Up the Economy with the Launch of Gourmet Salt Company

Undeterred by negative economic news, Christopher and Tyler McVety, two brothers originally from southeastern Michigan, recently launched an innovative gourmet food company, Beyond the Shaker LLC.

The McVety’s, along with dozens of other Midwest business partners in graphic design, print media, packaging and photography, worked for over two years developing the Beyond the Shaker concept. The company’s unique aim is to introduce home cooks to an extensive array of natural sea salts from around the world. In addition to educating consumers with blog articles and recipe ideas centered on the use of salt, Beyond the Shaker’s website offers an original line of chef-crafted gourmet blends that pair unrefined sea salts with premium organic, sustainable and locally-produced ingredients.

Chris, a self-proclaimed “foodie,” became interested in unrefined salts when he observed their debut in the dishes of several top restaurants in Chicago and Traverse City, Michigan. The McVety’s share a family vacation home in the Traverse City region, and so they frequent the area throughout the year. After graduating from the University of Michigan law school in 2000, Chris moved to Chicago where he is a partner in the corporate group of the law firm, Reed Smith LLP. Inspired by the gourmet salt movement he observed, along with a trend toward the use of organic ingredients, Chris began to develop the Beyond the Shaker business model with Tyler, who is a Senior Producer for E-Prize, an Internet promotions company located in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan.

As part of their strategy to differentiate themselves from competitors, the brothers formulated their premium line of salt blends in consultation with Executive Chef Eric Nittolo of the highly acclaimed Boathouse Restaurant in Traverse City. Chef Nittolo is well known for his use of local and organic ingredients in the seasonal menus he prepares for his restaurant.

Each Beyond the Shaker blend is hand made by Chef Nittolo from premium ingredients. Nittolo remarks, “I approach the Beyond the Shaker salt blends like any other five-star dish I would proudly serve at my restaurant. No other gourmet salt company that I know of is approaching blended salt in the same way, and the quality and flavor distinction is striking.”

Beyond the Shaker’s Internet site, which went public in July, serves not only as a portal for purchasing unrefined salts and blends, but is also a comprehensive guide to the world of gourmet salt. Visitors will find detailed descriptions of different types of salt including cooking suggestions and recipes, as well as a lively blog entitled “The SaltScribe,” which is devoted to salt-related topics. Since its launch, Beyond the Shaker products have been purchased by several retail locations in the Midwest, and the company plans to continue expansion into niche gourmet food markets across the country.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Beyond the Shaker LLC is a gourmet food company specializing in unrefined sea salts and salt blends that use premium organic and sustainable ingredients. The Beyond the Shaker retail website makes available for purchase over twenty different varieties of salt, including eleven original salt blends that were created in collaboration with a chef from Traverse City, Michigan. These highly versatile blends include Citrus Basil, which is a tangy seasoning that combines fluffy Murray River salt with exotic lemon myrtle, organic basil, orange and lemon peel. The Citrus Basil blend goes well with crab cakes, on the rim of a margarita or sprinkled on fresh fruit (try watermelon). The Beyond the Shaker website also includes recipes, application ideas and other information about salt for its visitors.

For more information or to purchase any of the aforementioned products, please go to the Beyond the Shaker website, www.beyondtheshaker.com.