Lorri Hathaway Joins The LPVA

Lorri Hathaway of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association

Longtime Michigan wine writer Lorri Hathaway has been appointed assistant director at the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association (LPVA.)  Hathaway is the co-author of two books on Michigan wine, the most recent being, “The History of Michigan Wines: 150 Years of Winemaking Along the Great Lakes” which was written in 2010 with Sharon Kegerreis.

According to Andy McFarlane, executive director of the LPVA since 2007,  “For almost two years Sarah Louisignau has done a wonderful job as assistant director of LPVA. While we are sad to see her go, it’s amazing to be able to bring in Lorri. She is a Leelanau native who knows a ton about the Michigan and Leelanau wine industry, and there’s probably no better person in the world to help us tell our story and take what we do on the Leelanau Wine Trail to the next level!”

Hathaway relocated from Lansing to Traverse City for the LPVA position. She grew up in Leland and worked as a teenager at a farmer’s market where Good Harbor Vineyard now stands.  Working at the LPVA offices at the Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City is also something of homecoming for Hathaway. She was involved in developing the former state mental health facility when she worked in commercial real estate during the ’90s.

“I’ll be doing a little bit of everything here at LPVA including working on our five major annual events,” Hathaway said.  “The owners of all the LPVA wineries are cohesive on promoting the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and I feel fortunate to have joined the organization at a very good time. 25% of the wine production in Michigan is now in Leelanau County ”

Hathaway said she expects to continue to write and blog about Michigan wine.