Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate has been recognized as a 2026 awardee for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.
Over 1,000 businesses were nominated by the SBA of Michigan, including small businesses from all sectors.
“We are really honored with this award, and it’s on our 10-year anniversary,” Rove coowner McKenzie Gallagher said. “It was exciting, and we were notified in November that we were nominated ... we’ve worked with the SBA since we opened, and we are just really thankful.”
Rove Winery will be acknowledged onstage at an awards ceremony during the 22nd annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on April 22. Gallagher will travel to Lansing for a two-day event for entrepreneurs and others.
“Throughout the whole season, there’s a series of new opportunities to engage vineyard tours and cellar tours and opening up new experiences,” she said. “This award is reassuring because we’ve really poured our hearts, as cheesy as that sounds in creating Rove.
“The business and work is endless, and to get recognition unexpectedly is a compliment. To be connected to our community here brings new visitors to Rove who have never heard or visited the local wine region.”
Rove Winery will be celebrating its 10th anniversary all year long, culminating in a huge celebration on June 5th featuring live music and new wine releases.
The Michigan 50 “Companies to Watch” award recognizes high-potential, second-stage companies in Michigan. Companies nominated for the award must be second-stage companies, defined as having 6 to 99 full-time equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital. Additionally, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.
“Every day, small businesses across Michigan rise to meet challenges with courage and determination, and these honorees exemplify that spirit,” said Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “Through their vision, perseverance, and leadership, they are strengthening Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and making a lasting difference in their communities. I’m honored to celebrate their achievements and the impact they continue to create.”
Judges from economic and entrepreneurship development organizations across the state annually select the winners based on demonstrated intent and capacity to grow, as measured by employee or sales growth and sustainable competitive advantage.
