This start-of-summer celebration highlights Northern Michigan’s winemaking and culinary scene in the heart of Leelanau County. Whether you’re searching for a new summer sip or simply want to explore the area, here’s what to expect at this year’s Leland Wine & Food Festival on June 10.
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An iconic summer destination, Leland is known for its historic Fishtown, charming shops and close proximity to breathtaking beaches, but at the start of June, this small town in the heart of Leelanau County becomes a summertime celebration of everything we love about Northern Michigan.
The Leland Wine and Food Festival is back on June 10, slated for a full afternoon of live music, craft wine and beverages from 13 wineries (and one brewery!), and mouth-watering food from local eateries. Hosted by The Leland Chamber of Commerce, the event kicks off festival season from noon to 6 p.m. at The Leland Lodge—a century-old community staple.
Music will be provided by FUNKTION, face painting by The Painted Lady, and you’ll be able to purchase food from Pleva’s Meats, Art’s Tavern, Leelanau Bounty Boards, The Riverside Inn and more. An added bonus, re-entry wristbands give festival-goers the chance to come and go during festival hours.
For more information, visit the Leland, Michigan website.
Featured Wineries
45 North Vineyard & Winery, Aurora Cellars, Blustone Vineyards, Boat House Vineyards, Chateau Fontaine, Amoritas Vineyards, Soul Squeeze Cellars, Good Harbor Vineyards, Verterra Winery, Baia Estate Winery, Bel Lago, French Valley Vineyards, Dune Bird Winery
Featured Brewery
Stormcloud Brewing Company
Photo by Leland Wine and Food Festival
Q&A with The Leland Chamber
We took a moment to check in with The Leland Chamber of Commerce to find out what’s in store for this year’s festival.
Tell us why you’re excited about this year’s festival! Anything new you’d like to share?
For the second consecutive year, The Leland Lodge has graciously agreed to host our festival while the Leland Harbor and surrounding area undergo much-needed improvement projects. The festival will take place on the picturesque grounds of the Leland Lodge, providing a stunning backdrop for the festivities. This year we’re also offering an exclusive VIP event in the Leland Lodge Wine Cellar. Limited to just 20 fortunate individuals, this intimate event will showcase exceptional wines from participating Leelanau wineries, accompanied by food pairings curated by The Cheese Lady. Also returning this year by popular request is the band FUNKTION who brought a great sound last year. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone dancing and having a great time.
There’s so much to enjoy around the Leland area! What are some highlights of the venue and location?
The Leland Lodge is located at the top of Pearl Street, just up the hill from Main Street and situated between both Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. The festival’s come-and-go entry policy allows guests the chance to explore our many vibrant Main Street shops and local beaches at their leisure. Beyond its suitability as a festival venue, The Leland Lodge also offers an additional advantage with 18 rooms and three cottages on-site, providing out-of-town guests the opportunity to attend the festival while enjoying the comfort and privacy of a room on site. With the festival concluding at 6 p.m., a restful night’s sleep is assured, ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees.
What’s your favorite part of the festival? How do you think it positively impacts the Leland area?
We love that it kicks off the “busy season” in Leelanau County. Dating back more than 35 years, the Leland Wine and Food Festival has served as the official harbinger of summer and we plan to keep the tradition alive for years to come. Plus, Wine Fest is more than just a party. It’s always been a celebration of our vibrant wine-growing community, but it’s also the biggest and only fundraiser for The Leland Chamber of Commerce. Every dollar raised goes towards supporting ongoing initiatives such as town beautification (this includes trash!) and funding marketing efforts to support and amplify awareness and traffic to our area businesses. The Leland Chamber also allocates a portion of the proceeds from the festival to support the Leelanau Education Foundation to foster continued growth and education in our community.
Photo by Leland Wine and Food Festival
Ticket Details
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the event. Your purchase will include a commemorative glass and two wine-tasting tokens. Please note that tickets sold the week of the festival are “will call” only. This event is not recommended for children and you must be at least 21 years of age to consume alcohol.
Photo by Taylor Brown