“The Pistons were looking for an authentic boutique Michigan brand to partner with and we t the bill. Faye and I visit Detroit as much as we can. That helped us nd time to talk things over,” said Pickelman. Soul Squeeze now has a wine bar at the Pistons Performance Center, a Pistons wine club that o ers members exclusive releases of Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, and a new Pistons and Soul Squeeze co-branded wine. Motor City Squeeze, a canned white wine, is a fruit-forward blend of 50 percent Old Mission estate grown Chardonnay and 50 percent Leelanau Peninsula AVA Pinot gris, with notes of apple and citrus. Pickelman said working with the Pistons has boosted Soul Squeeze’s popularity in downtown Detroit. “Bars and restaurants that play Pistons games and carry our wines bolster our presence. It’s grown the number of tastings we do with restaurants every year,” said Pickelman. The partnership has room to grow, as the winery and team began working together in 2022. Expanding may be a challenge. Yet Soul Squeeze is prepared to maintain its high standards. Like many Michigan wineries, it is small, with a dedicated sta . “We create wines that showcase high-quality fruit and have a personal touch. We’re glad that Detroit residents have taken to it. We are now planning how to give them more Michigan-grown wines that are authentic, well-balanced, and delicious,” said Pickelman.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jessica Zimmer is a wine writer based in northern California. She is also a California, Florida, and New York-licensed attorney. She enjoys learning about the geology and growing seasons of different appellations.
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