Cultivate a Life of Flourishing & Fruitfulness
with The Art of Vinemaking Journey
The Art of Vinemaking Journey
In a world driven by productivity, we invite you to slow down, abide, and cultivate a flourishing life through the Art of Vinemaking Journey. This immersive experience includes: a retreat, a year-long cohort, 4 online courses, and Bette Dickinson’s forthcoming book.
"With tenderness and agility, Bette graciously and skillfully guided us back to God, the loving vinedresser, one who is less concerned with our productivity than the quality of who we are becoming together.”
– KATHY HAUG, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Regional Director
WHO
Ministry Leaders & Spiritual Directors looking to abide with Jesus in rhythm with his life, death, and resurrection
WHEN
New Wine Spiritual Retreat:
October 10-13, 2025
The Art of Vinemaking Cohort:
Quarterly Intensives starting Nov 2025
WHERE
Retreat:
Traverse City, Michigan
Online Cohort:
Zoom
"Bette’s prophetic reminder about the importance of ‘who we are becoming as we abide in the true vine’ was critical as we enter a new ministry year filled with many tasks. Her call to be an interdependent vineyard community ushered in a new mindset for how to do ministry moving forward.”
– WILL CHU, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Associate Regional Director
Here’s What’s Included:
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Retreat
VINEYARD & WINEMAKING ENCOUNTER
An immersive 4-day experience in Northern Michigan’s vineyards, exploring spiritual rhythms of flourishing, abundance, and communion with God through creation. -
Online Cohort
4 QUARTERLY INTENSIVES
A year-long online community experience with quarterly 4-week intensives, designed to integrate spiritual practices and lessons from the vine into your daily life and ministry. Intensives will meet online weekly for four weeks at a time. -
The Art of Vinemaking
BOOK & ONLINE COURSES
Bette’s new book (Oct 2025) + 4 online courses explore the wisdom of viticulture through John 15, guiding you to abide in Christ and yield to the Vinedresser’s cultivation.
Total Value: Over $6,000
Yours for only $1,750 (Early Bird Rate)
The Retreat
THIS $3,500 VALUE INCLUDES:
🍇 Vineyard & Winemaking Encounter:
A 4-day immersive retreat in Northern Michigan’s vineyards led by experienced vinedresser, Dave Bos, offering hands-on experiences like harvesting, wine pressing, and tasting.
🌿 Teaching & Spiritual Practices:
Connect viticulture to your spiritual life through guided prayer walks, Visio Divina, art therapy, and contemplative prayer, all designed to sustain your leadership.
🏡 Luxury Waterfront Accommodations:
Retreat to lakefront lodging at Spider Lake Retreat during peak fall colors, with breathtaking views. Every room includes 2 queen beds with lake-view rooms for 2 guests.
🍽 Nourishing Hand-Crafted Meals:
Experience Locally and ethically grown meals and wine that nourish your body and soul.
🙏🏽 Contemplation & Community:
Engage in extended times of solitude, communal meals, and deep conversations with fellow leaders.
🚐 On-Site Transportation – Relax and enjoy the journey as we provide transportation to vineyards and event locations.
Join the Journey - Limited Spots Available!
Meet Your Retreat Guides
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Bette Dickinson
AUTHOR, ARTIST & LEAD FACILITATOR
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Dave Bos
VINEDRESSER & WINEMAKER
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Danielle Strickland
ENCOUNTERS EXPERT
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Bethany Blankespoor
SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
The Online Cohort
$1,000 VALUE:
After the retreat, we’ll continue the journey with a year-long facilitated community experience. Through live, interactive Zoom sessions, you'll engage with the themes of the book and course, share reflections, and gain insights from fellow ministry leaders. Aligned with the seasons of the vine, the quarterly 4-week intensives will offer resources, shared practices, guided reflection, connection, and prayer to sustain rhythms of abiding and renewal.
Mondays 11am-12:30pm PT/2-3:30pm ET
Intensive I: The Story of the Vine
Cohort Meetings: November 3, 10, 17, 24 - 2025
Intensive II: Roots
Cohort Meetings: February 2, 9, 16, 23 - 2026
Intensive III: Branches
Cohort Meetings: April 20, 27, May 4, 11 - 2026
Intensive IV: Fruit
Cohort Meetings: September 14, 21, 28, October 5 - 2026
The Art of Vinemaking
BOOK & ONLINE COURSES
$1,500 VALUE Includes:
📖 The Art of Vinemaking by Bette Dickinson:
Bette’s latest book, releasing in October 2025, explores viticulture through John 15, guiding us to abide in Christ and yield to the Vinedresser’s cultivation for lasting fruitfulness.
💻 The 4 Online Courses:
Multi-media content exploring the life cycle of the vine and its spiritual application, featuring:
🎥 Lessons from the Vineyard: Exclusive interviews with Dave and Bette in the vineyard during each season of the vine.
🙏🏽 Guided Spiritual Practices: Video & Audio guided practices like Visio Divina, Lectio Divina, and Imaginative Prayer
📝 Deep Study & Reflection Guides: Integrating the book with the journey for a richer, transformative experience.
Total Value: Over $6,000
Yours for only $1,750 (Early Bird Rate)
Why This Investment is Worth It
As a leader, you pour out constantly. This journey is designed to replenish you—combining spiritual practices, leadership insights, and community to help you stay rooted and effective in your calling. By joining The Art of Vinemaking Journey, you're investing in:
Personal and Spiritual Renewal: Deepen your connection with Christ through immersive experiences and practices.
Ongoing Growth and Connection: Engage with spiritual themes and stay connected to a supportive community of like-minded ministry leaders.
Exclusive Content and Guidance: Benefit from direct interaction with author Bette Dickinson and vinedresser Dave Bos.
Long-Term Transformation: This journey isn’t just about a retreat—it’s about building a lasting foundation for your life and ministry. The practices and insights you gain will continue to shape your leadership for years to come.
Accessible Value: The combined value of this journey is $6,000, but with our early bird pricing, you receive all these benefits for just $1,750 if you apply before March 14!
With only 30 spots available, don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself
in the spiritual wisdom of the vine and deepen your roots in Christ and community.
Are You Ready to Start Flourishing in the Vine?
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$1750
EARLY BIRD PRICE
The Art of Vinemaking Journey includes the retreat (lodging & meals included), online guided cohort, Bette’s new book, and access to 4 online courses.
*One-time non-refundable $50 registration fee to apply not included. Payment plans available. Early bird pricing available until Friday, March 14, 2025.
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Tell Me More
Email us and we can share more about how this journey will help you cultivate a life of flourishing and fruitfulness.
A MESSAGE FROM BETTE DICKINSON
Join me on the journey from Vine to New Wine
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
– John 15:1, 4
This beloved passage invites us into a life deeply rooted in Christ, but do you ever wonder:
How do I remain in Christ through seasons like dormancy, pruning, and bud break?
What is the Vinedresser’s way of cultivation?
How can I embody the cyclical rhythm of the vine in life and ministry?
For the past six years, I’ve sought answers to these questions. Guided by my vinedresser friend Dave, the lessons I’ve learned from the vine have not only shaped my spiritual life but also inspired my upcoming book. These lessons have led me into a liberating new way of living and seeing the world, and now I invite you to journey with me.
FAQs
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The closest airport is Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City, Michigan. It is a regional airport with connections to major hubs like Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis. We recommend flying into TVC for the most convenient access to the retreat location.
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Transportation during the retreat will be provided, but you will need to secure your own transportation to the Spider Lake Retreat before and after the retreat. The address is: 4370 N Spider Lake Rd
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Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available for those in ministry with financial constraints. You can indicate your need during the application process.
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Once your application has been accepted to the Art of Vinemaking Journey, you will receive a confirmation email. The email will outline how payments will be invoiced and paid. You can pay for the entire program upfront or choose to have it divided into four payments over 10 months. Due to the cost of the retreat, 50% of the entire program will be due by September 1, 2025. If a different payment plan is requested, please send an email to admin@bettedickinson.com
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The cohort meets virtually for four seasonal intensives throughout the year. Each intensive includes:
Weekly virtual gatherings for teaching, reflection, and prayer
Video lessons, guided meditations, and reflection prompts
Online resources to deepen personal practice between sessions
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Cohort meeting days and times will be finalized based on participants' availability. While Mondays at 1 PM ET is a tentative option, a scheduling link will be shared after registration to help us accommodate your schedule.
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Each 4 week intensive includes:
Weekly 1.5-hour cohort meetings on Zoom
Reading assignments from The Art of Vinemaking
30–40 min guided spiritual practices (audio-guided walks, Lectio Divina, etc.)
Short video interviews (7–10 min) with Bette Dickinson and Dave Bos
Reflection questions to deepen your engagement
Participants can expect to spend 3–4 hours per week engaging with the material and practices.