The Traverse City region is blessed with two wine-producing peninsulas on the 45th parallel—Leelanau and Old Mission—that are putting Northern Michigan on the map for award-winning vino. Leelanau Peninsula is the larger of the two, boasting some 25 wineries. Old Mission Peninsula may be smaller—there are currently 10 wineries—but its wine and its scenery are equally mighty. Use this guide to help you savor Northern Michigan wine country.
Add these fabulous wine loops to your Northern Michigan fall color tour. Check out our 2019 Northern Michigan fall color map to time your color tour just right!
Wine Touring Leelanau Peninsula
Vino lovers, explore these three loops—running south to north along the Leelanau Peninsula—during a day of wine touring.
Sleeping Bear Loop
(Named for its proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—a must-visit attraction.)
Cherry Republic Winery
6026 S. Lake St. | Glen Arbor | 231.334.3150
Cherry wines crafted from local orchards, amid a garden setting both relaxing and fun.
Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery
6530 S. Lake Shore Dr. | Cedar | 231.228.4800
Beautiful lake views showcase carefully crafted European varietals.
Pop some Bel Lago bubbly in this MyNorth video!
Chateau Fontaine
2290 S. French Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.256.0000
Sophisticated wines served up in a friendly setting that pays homage to the locale’s French roots.
Good Harbor Vineyard
34 S. Manitou Trail | Lake Leelanau | 231.256.7165
Friendly tasting room boasts a long time growing legacy and one of the largest pinot grigio plantings in Michigan.
Laurentide Winery
56 S. French Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.994.2147
Named after the Laurentide glaciers of 10,000 years ago, which created the nurtured soil in which these grapevines grow.
Rove Estate
7007 E. Traverse Hwy. | Traverse City | 231.421.7001
Breathtaking views in a boutique atmosphere; selection of local wines and cider, as well as light snack options. Spacious patio.
Northern Loop
Boathouse Vineyard
Corner of St. Mary’s Street and M-204 | Lake Leelanau | 231.256.7115
Sip the award-winning Boathouse Red from an Adirondack chair on the waterfront.
Verterra Winery
103 E. River St. | Leland | 231.256.2155
By boat or by car, sample assorted wines and ciders on tap at a tasting room just off the Leland River.
Green Bird Organic Cellars and Farms
9525 Engles Rd. | Northport | 231.386.5636
Located on a 67-acre organic farm, two miles south of Northport, featuring estate made wines, handcrafted hard ciders, locally made microbrews and spirits.
Leelanau Wine Cellars
5019 N. West Bay Shore Dr. | Omena | 231.386.5201
Sip regional favorites, 35 years and counting, in a tasting room perched over glittery Omena Bay.
Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery
11061 E. Silver Leaf Farm Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.3111
Small batch wines are oak mellowed and hand bottled and corked.
Raftshol Vineyards
1865 N. West Bay Shore Dr. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.5650
Reds are a good bet at this winery, first in the area to specialize in Bordeaux varietals and red vinifera grapes.
Tandem Ciders
2055 N. Setterbo Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.0050
Sip hard cider that tastes like an apple straight from the tree in a setting as friendly as a neighborhood pub. (We know it’s not a winery, but their artisanal ciders are so worth the stop.)
Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery
8580 E. Horn Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.271.1188
Popular wines like 45 Red and Peach Crémant served in a post-and-beam barn tasting room.
Aurora Cellars7788 E. Horn Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.994.3188Aurora CellarsA full productions boutique winery with Old-World ambiance. Award-winning wines from Leelanau Peninsula grapes served up with small plates made with local ingredients.
Blustone Vineyards
780 N. Sylt Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.256.0146
Notable for its light-filled tasting room and the double gold won for its first unoaked chardonnay.
Grand Traverse Bay Loop
French Valley Vineyards
119 N. St. Joseph St. | Suttons Bay. | 231.941.7060
French Valley Vineyards has a brand new tasting room just north of downtown Suttons Bay—on Grand Traverse Bay. Relax on the lawn and enjoy the incredible view.
Boskydel Vineyard
7501 E. Otto Rd. | Lake Leelanau | 231.256.7272
Leelanau’s original and still humble winery, specializing in hybrid varietals. (Sadly, Boskydel is closing in January 2018, so visit while you can! )
Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.994.1250
Award-winning wines pair with an inn, creamery and farm-to-table dinners at this agri-tourism leader.
L. Mawby
4519 S. Elm Valley Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.3522
World-class bubbly is what you’ll find here, where only sparkling wine is sold.
Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
10343 E. Hilltop Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.5553
European-style wines and Old World tasting room sit atop a hill delivering gorgeous lake views.
Willow Vineyard
10702 E. Hilltop Rd. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.4810
Gorgeous West Bay views set the stage for the tasting of small production artisan wines.
Chateau De Leelanau Vineyard and Winery
5048 South West Bayshore Dr. | Suttons Bay | 231.271.8888
Wines and ciders are made from fruits grown in longtime family orchards and vineyards.
Shady Lane Cellars
9580 Shady Ln. | Suttons Bay | 231.947.8865
Award-winning wines served up in smart and beautifully renovated fieldstone chicken coop and a lovely adjacent outdoor seating area.
Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill
9720 Center Hwy. | Traverse City | 231.946.2764
Refined winemaking and organic and biodynamic growing practices appeal to the wine aficionado and the casual enthusiast.
- For more information about wineries in Leelanau County, Michigan, go to lpwines.com.
- Find a nearby restaurant: Suttons Bay, Leland, Northport, Glen Arbor, Traverse City
- Find hotels: Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor
Wine Touring Old Mission Peninsula
With just two thoroughfares—Peninsula Drive and M-37—running the length of its 18-miles, finding your way to the 10 wineries on Old Mission is simple.
2 Lads
16985 Smokey Hollow Rd. | Traverse City | 231.223.7722
Vintners Cornel Olivier and Chris Baldyga have made a name for themselves teasing out delicate, nuanced flavors from sustainably grown wines. The 2 Lads’ state-of-the-art facility specializes in cool-climate reds, sparkling wines and small-batch whites.
Chateau Chantal
15900 Rue de Vin | Traverse City | 800.969.4009
This Old World–inspired winery and B&B sits on a hilltop, affording gorgeous views of grapevine-trellised hillsides and Grand Traverse Bay. Live jazz Thursday evenings.
Bonobo Winery
12011 Center Rd. | Traverse City | 231.282.9463
Founded by Traverse City natives Carter and Todd Oosterhouse, this winery aims to bring a sense of approachability to the Michigan wine and vineyard scene, “removing any pretenses and allowing for the ultimate educational and enjoyable experience.”
Bowers Harbor
2896 Bowers Harbor Rd. | Traverse City | 800.616.7615
Sample this boutique winery’s award-winning varietals in a casual tasting room near Bowers Harbor Park. Don’t miss the signature meritage blend, 2896 Langley Vineyard.
Brys Estate
3309 Blue Water Rd. | Traverse City | 231.223.9303
The luxe tasting room here is a perfect complement to vintner Coenraad Stassen’s sophisticated wines. Artful reds, crisp whites and a lovely brick patio for enjoying the scenery.
Chateau Grand Traverse
12239 Center Rd. | Traverse City | 231.223.7355
This winery helped put Michigan on the map for world-class wines. Showcasing fine reds, whites, rieslings and specialty cherry wines.
Hawthorne Vineyards
1000 Camino Maria, new entrance at Montague Road | 231.929.4206
Located on 80 acres, Hawthorne boasts one of the most naturally secluded sites on the peninsula, with the tasting room positioned on a high bluff with breathtaking water views. Known for its 2014 Barrel Reserve Auxerrois, a 2015 Jefferson Cup Winner. Also featured is an outdoor patio; cozy up to the wood-burning fireplace and admire brilliant bay waters.
Peninsula Cellars
11480 Center Rd. | Traverse City | 231.223.4050
A historic one-room schoolhouse serves as the tasting room for this family-run winery. The line here includes a selection of memorable fruit wines made from tart cherries, sweet cherries and apples.
Black Star Farms Old Mission
360 McKinley Rd. | Traverse City | 231.944.1300
The cool atmosphere at this tasting room includes a cozy fireplace and a bar made of wine barrels. Try award-winning wines and brandies from the on-site distillery.
Villa Mari Vineyards
8175 Center Rd. | Traverse City | 231.633.1277
Though the impressive tasting room off Center Road is relatively new, this vineyards’ wines date back to 2006, when its flagship Row 7 was introduced. True to his Italian heritage, founder Marty Lagina (you may know him for the show Curse of Oak Island) planted exotic varieties like Nebbiolo and Sangiovese; the operation now boasts more than 60 acres of vineyards planted entirely on the Old Mission Peninsula, with more being added every year.
Caution:
While wine tasting is not the same as wine drinking all those little sips add up. When planning to visit multiple wineries in a single day, remember to nominate a designated driver, or book a bus or group tour. For a list of recommended shuttle services, visit the Wineries of Old Mission website.
Get tickets to local wine events at MyNorthTickets.com!Â
