Explore Traverse City’s buzzing beverage scene with us. From downtown’s breweries, distilleries and wineries to a beautiful patchwork of rolling vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula, here’s how to sip like a local.
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Old Mission Peninsula’s Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
2 LADS WINERY
Modern tasting room (think steel, concrete, glass) with killer views of East Grand Traverse Bay.
BLACK STAR FARMS – OLD MISSION
A circular bar made of wine barrels steals the show. Ask about the pear-in-the-bottle brandy.
BONOBO WINERY
Sleek but welcoming with a double-sided fireplace and plenty of armchairs. Plus, a massive deck overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay.
BOWERS HARBOR VINEYARDS
The west-facing patio with a vineyard vista is downright magical during golden hour. Explore the onsite Nature Trail.
BRYS ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY
Gorgeous upper deck (with bay views), lawn bar and seasonal Secret Garden with thousands of lavender plants and a gift shop.
CHATEAU CHANTAL
Old World–inspired winery and B&B with a terrace and patio (see both East and West bays!). Treat yourself to a wine dinner.
CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE
Old Mission Peninsula’s first winery. A fabulous patio sits alongside the vineyard. Take advantage of the inn for weekend getaways.
HAWTHORNE VINEYARDS
Open seasonally, this intimate tasting room has a beautiful stone fireplace and a patio peeking at West Bay.
JOLLY PUMPKIN
A rustic restaurant/brewery/distillery with a fab food menu.
MARI VINEYARDS
Stunning Italian-inspired winery with stone arches, wine caves, outdoor seating, a fireplace and East Bay panorama.
PENINSULA CELLARS
Historic one-room schoolhouse (complete with a chalkboard and Honor Roll wine club) turned one-of-a-kind tasting room.
TABONE VINEYARDS
Bright, airy interior and the vineyard-surrounded outdoor seating really shines.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Frosé from Brys Estate Vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula.
Traverse City’s Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
BRENGMAN BROTHERS
White farmhouse-style tasting room with a generous patio located 10 minutes outside of downtown.
BREWERY TERRA FIRMA
Located on 10 acres outside of downtown on a MAEAP-certified farm; known for environmental stewardship.
CHERRY REPUBLIC
The downtown shop famous for all things cherry also has a tasting bar with cherry wines for adults and cherry sodas for kids.
EARTHEN ALES
Innovative brews served under the water tower at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Inquire about the beer CSA.
FARM CLUB
A brewery/restaurant/market/farm focused on subtle, lower-alcohol beers. Lots of seating indoors and out, family friendly.
THE FILLING STATION MICROBREWERY
A revitalized train station just off the TART trail with lots of outdoor seating and delish wood- fired pizzas.
FRESH COAST BEER WORKS
A tasting room and a homebrew shop—they’ll give you recipes! Live music, patio with food truck and outside food welcome.
GRAND TRAVERSE DISTILLERY
Book a tour at the production facility located outside of downtown or hit up Front Street’s tasting room.
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY
Cool, warehouse-esque tasting room at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons with an outdoor patio and a separate Barrel Room.
LOCO BOYS BREWING COMPANY
New in town, this brewery also serves from-scratch Mexican fare.
MAMMOTH DISTILLING
Warm and inviting industrial hangout in TC’s trendy Warehouse District. Snag a wooly seat.
MIDDLECOAST BREWING COMPANY
Inside State Street Market where you can grab a bite at neighboring stalls to enjoy inside or out.
NORTH PEAK BREWING COMPANY
The historic brick building is a head-turner with a roomy interior and patio seating with live music.
RARE BIRD BREWPUB
Half a dozen Rare Bird brews accompanied by Michigan and international bevvies on 35 taps. Locally sourced food menu, trivia, live music. Also the place where Matthew McConaughey was famously spotted much to the delight of locals.
RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY
Constantly changing tap list with wild brews (ingredients have included asparagus and cherry pie). Indoor and outdoor seating.
ROVE ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY
Relaxed winery with indoor and outdoor seating perched at the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula.
SILVER SPRUCE BREWING
Specializing in lagers; rustic and cozy interior with a patio and firepit outdoors.
STONE HOUND BREWING CO.
Nearby in Williamsburg (bike to it on the TART trail) with rotating beers and an onsite food counter with vegan options. When you belly up to the bar, be prepared to say, “Wow.” An epoxy inlay features 30 pounds of Petoskey, Charlevoix and Leland Blue stones.
TRAVERSE CITY WHISKEY CO.
The downtown stillhouse pours both signature whiskeys and limited-edition releases only found here. Shipping container patio gets an A+.
THE WORKSHOP BREWING COMPANY
Aficionados love the barrel-aged beers and seasonal sours. Live music hotspot, indoor and outdoor seating. Check out The Workshop’s new location in nearby Kingsley: Kingsley Local Brewing Company.
INSIDER’S TIP: Interlochen is brimming with brews. Bradley’s Pub & Grille at the Interlochen Golf Course has everything from Bell’s Two Hearted to Miller Lite and PBR on tap. Just up the road is Hofbrau Steak House & American Grille (the “Hoffy” as locals affectionately call it), an Interlochen landmark for more than 100 years with more than 50 choices on its draft list.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Explore Traverse City’s Wineries & Book a Wine Tour
There are more than 40 wineries in the area that comprise the Traverse Wine Coast (which includes the Leelanau Peninsula). You’ll find bottles of bubbly, whites, rosés, reds and even ice wine (a type of dessert wine made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine!). In the tasting rooms, each one unique, wines are paired with sunsets over vineyards, crackling fires and breathtaking views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bay.
That being said, it’s time for a wine tour! Whether you’re looking for a private chauffeur for two to three people, a limo for a special event or a bus for all of your friends who want to savor time spent together and the craft of winemaking, there’s a transportation company ready to help. Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail’s website has great info for planning your trip and current updates on annual events, like the famous Mac & Cheese Bake-Off. Know, too, that many of the wineries have expansive outdoor seating so you can spread out and relax. If you want to add on stops along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, visit their website to plot your route.
INSIDER’S TIP: Many local beaches don’t allow glass bottles. Chateau Chantal has the answer: Try their canned bubbly cherry wine. Each can equals half a bottle of wine, so sip accordingly.
Photo by Dave Weidner