Detroit News Spotlights Michigan Winery Tour Business of Chuck Jackson '84

February 11, 2003

February 11, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - Charles E. Jackson, a 1984 graduate of DePauw University, "has turned his interest in regional wines into a tour business with the name Domaine Detroit Wine Festival, which he hopes will educate people about Michigan wine and ultimately lead to a real Michigan wine festival downtown," notes an article in the Detroit News. The story points out that Jackson's interest in Michigan wineries "started in the early 1980s when he was driving Interstate 94 to get from Detroit to DePauw University in Indiana, where he earned a bachelor's degree and William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. 'Every time I stopped at a tasting room, I would buy something different,' he says."(Jackson is seen in his photo from the 1984 Mirage)

The 40-year-old Jackson's full-time job is supervising judicial clerks in Michigan's 36th District Court. His Domaine Detroit Wine Festival plans a February 15th trip to St. Julian's sherry-making facility in Frankenmuth, Michigan, which is already sold out. The News'Sandra Silfven adds, "Tours are planned for March (Lone Oak Vineyard and Estate) and April (Pentamere)." Jackson tells the paper, “I want to change people from buying California jug wines or going the snob route. People may not be aware of the large amount of wine made here in the state.”