Michigan winemakers have a new climate worry: More wildfire smoke

Winemakers in northern Michigan are facing concerns regarding the impact of wildfire smoke on their vineyards. Last month, smoke from wildfires blanketed the region, creating a distinct atmospheric haze and significantly reducing visibility across local agricultural areas.

For producers like Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay, the event highlighted a growing climate-related challenge for the industry. The presence of smoke in the atmosphere is now being viewed as a potential risk factor for viticulture in the state, prompting increased attention to how changing environmental conditions may affect future harvests.