PAID CONTENT
Vino? Check. Vistas? Check! Soak up these sweeping views on a Petoskey wine tour during peak fall color (or any season!).
The Petoskey Wine Region is home to 13 distinct wineries with tasting rooms as unique as the grape varieties being grown in the northern vineyards stretching from Ellsworth to Harbor Springs. The newest winery, Boyne Valley Vineyards, is set to open mid-October, just in time for a fall color tour.
So, what are you going to see on a Petoskey wine tour? (Well, for starters, there’s a castle.)
Here’s a taste …
1918 Cellars // 5052 M-66 N., Charlevoix // Photo by Dave Weidner
So that castle we mentioned … it’s stunning. Castle Farms was built in 1918, modeled after the stone barns and castles found in Normandy, France. 1918 Cellars Wine Tasting Room is set in the Queen’s Tavern, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Royal Farms // 10445 N. US 31, Ellsworth // Photo by Dave Weidner
Hard cider sippers are welcome too at Royal Farms, which has a wide variety from sweet and floral to dry and hoppy. We love Hand Picked, a semi-dry cider made with uncommon, antique apples. Stop in the farm market before you leave for homemade pies and pasties.
Petoskey Farms // 3720 Atkins Rd., Petoskey // Photo Courtesy of Petoskey Farms
Just imagine this view at Petoskey Farms during peak fall color. Now imagine you’ve got a glass of wine in hand and an order of smoked whitefish dip and asiago scallion dip on the way (because how could you choose just one).
Maple Moon Winery // 4454 Atkins Rd., Petoskey // Photo by Dave Weidner
Come fall, we love how cozy and warm Maple Moon Winery’s tasting room is. The country’s first and Michigan’s only commercial maple winery, Maple Moon is known for smooth wines varying from semi-dry to sweet. Owners and founders Todd and Christi Petersen also make maple ginger hard cider, maple root beer, maple candy and maple cream.
Rudbeckia Farm // 3379 Lake Grove Rd., Petoskey // Photo by Dave Weidner
Rudbeckia Farm sits on 190 acres with views of Lake Michigan and Walloon Lake (you can see Walloon sparkling in the photo above). In addition to wine, Rudbeckia also serves cider and craft beers made on-site by Burnt Marshmallow Brewing. Out back, play bocce, corn hole and Jenga between sips.