OLD MISSION PENINSULA — The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula have presented Peninsula Township with a proposed settlement aimed at ending years of litigation and creating a fair path forward for both sides.
According to an Oct. 30 news release from the WOMP group, the proposal was submitted to the Township on Oct. 30 after months of waiting for engagement.
“This is not about winning or losing. It’s about doing what’s right for our community,” said Chris Baldyga, vineyard owner and WOMP spokesperson. “We live here. We farm here. We raise our families here. We want to find common ground that protects the land and the people who make Old Mission special.”
Settlement proposal details
While the full proposal remains confidential, winery leaders said the terms are consistent with previous federal court rulings, the Michigan Liquor Control Code and the Michigan Right to Farm Act.
Highlights of the plan include noise limits after 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity limits based on state building and fire codes, permission for normal agricultural business activities such as food service and merchandise sales and clear standards for events and outdoor amenities that balance community enjoyment with neighborhood peace.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Baldyga said. “We’re asking for fair, clear, and consistent rules so we can continue farming responsibly.”
Next steps toward resolution
The wineries’ proposal does not address the damages awarded by the court but focuses on operational agreements first. Once those terms are finalized, the wineries said they are willing to consider reducing the roughly $50 million awarded in damages.
Attorney Joseph M. Infante said the proposal demonstrates the wineries’ willingness to reach a fair compromise.
“They have every legal right to enforce the judgment, yet they are choosing instead to offer a fair and workable solution which could result in a reduction of the amount of money damages,” Infante said. “The Township now has an opportunity to meet them at the table and bring this long dispute to a responsible close.”
Commitment to the community
The wineries collectively maintain more than 1,800 acres of vineyards and open space on Old Mission Peninsula.
“Our vines protect the agricultural heritage of Old Mission Peninsula,” Baldyga said. “Every acre we farm is an acre that stays open, productive, and beautiful.”
Along with submitting the proposal, Baldyga contacted the Township Supervisor to request an in-person meeting between representatives from both sides and their attorneys to discuss the terms. The wineries said they are awaiting a response.