BEST Traverse City Wineries To Visit In 2025 By A Local!
Are you a wine enthusiast looking for the perfect getaway? Head to northern Michigan and explore the best Traverse City wineries! A glass of Michigan hand-crafter wine accompanied by beautiful scenic views is the perfect pairing for your wine tasting tour.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is known for its scenic beauty, vibrant culinary scene, and for being the Cherry Capital of the World. The cool climate here is ideal for growing grapes that produce exceptional wines. Wine lovers can enjoy a wide variety of wines, from crisp whites to bold reds.
I feel so fortunate to have called Traverse City home for more than 40 years. We enjoy playing host to visiting friends and family, and a trip to an area winery or two is always on the top of our entertaining to-do list. Over the years, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites and what makes each one of them unique.
Raise a glass at ten of the best Traverse City wineries!
On To New Adventures contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates program. If you make a purchase through our affiliate links, we may receive compensation from the company at no cost to you.
Consider Signing on for a Winery Tour
Traverse City has two distinct wine trails along Grand Traverse Bay. One goes out along the Leelanau Peninsula, and the other stretches out along Old Mission Peninsula.
Trying to cover both peninsulas in the same day would definitely feel rushed. I would recommend spending one day one each peninsula if you decide to explore both wine trails. Visiting three to four wineries per day is probably plenty in order to fully experience the ambiance at each location.
Consider skipping the hassle of driving yourself and sign on for a winery tour. You can join a group tour to either of the peninsulas. You can also arrange for a designated driver to drive your car. You’ll have a more personalized experience and you can choose the wineries you’d most like to visit.
Why not kick back, relax, and leave the driving to experienced guide who can share a wealth of knowledge about wine making and the local landscape?
sample post: 6 Beautiful Traverse City Wineries for Wine Tasting 15+ Best & Unique Traverse City Wineries & Vineyards
Best Traverse City Wineries
While creating my list of the best wineries to visit in Traverse City, I focused on those offering something special that sets them apart from other wineries in the region. Each of these wineries has its own unique charm, from award-winning wines and stunning views to luxurious accommodations for spending the night.
Most of the wineries offer small plates or charcutier boards. Many will allow you to bring your own picnic to enjoy on a patio or outdoor deck; just call ahead to verify.
Here are my top ten favorites: these wineries deliver the very best of Traverse City!
Rove Estate Vineyard and Winery
What makes the Rove Estate Vineyard and Winery special? Breathtaking panoramic views from the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula! Perched high on a hill at 1,165 feet above sea level, the tasting room’s beautiful deck is the perfect spot to take in the scenery and savor award-winning wines.
The southern-exposed slopes on this family-owned farm create the perfect conditions for growing the grapes that are used to create estate wines. Rove produces more than 20 types of wine and two types of cider. Being a red wine lover, my personal favorite is Rove’s Cabernet Franc. Those looking for a unique wine might want to tase the Gewurztraminer Estate, a semi-sweet wine made from pink-skinned grapes.
Not in a hurry? Hike the Rove Point Trail located just behind the tasting room. It’s especially lovely during the fall color season. You can do the hike on snowshoes during the winter.
Not only is this elevation perfect for creating award-winning wines, but it is also the perfect place to enjoy an incredible northern Michigan sunset. So head out to Rove Estate Vineyard and Winery, raise a glass, and celebrate the sunset!
Enjoy tasting flights, wine by the glass, and charcuterie boards. Enjoy live music on the deck every Friday during the summer. Reservations recommended for groups of 8 or more.
Try: The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Rove’s most popular white wine and one that few Michigan wineries produce.
Location: Rove Estate Vineyard and Winery is located midway between the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and the Old Mission Peninsula wine trail, making it a convenient stop no matter which route you decide to follow. The winery is just six miles from downtown Traverse City.
Left Foot Charley
What makes Left Foot Charley special? Location, location, location! Head to Left Foot Charley to taste award winning wines in a unique venue. The winery is just blocks away from downtown Traverse City, making it super convenient to drop in for anyone are staying in town.
Even better, Left Foot Charley’s tasting room is located in the Village of Grand Traverse Commons, on the grounds of the former Northern Michigan Asylum. Built in 1885 to house and treat mentally ill patients, this collection of beautifully restored historic buildings is now home to residential condos, professional services, and unique shops and restaurants.
When you go for a tasting at Left Foot Charley, be sure to add in some time for enjoying the grounds of the Commons. There’s over 400 acres to explore, with large, mature trees, open lawns, and walking paths. Go inside historic Building 50 for a little shopping. The lower level is filled with shops, restaurants, and galleries. You can even sign up for a tour of the steam tunnels underneath the buildings.
Head to Left Foot Charley’s tasting room to sample red and white varietals, sparkling wine, and hard ciders. You can even get a bite to eat from one of the Village restaurants and bring it along to enjoy with your wine.
Left Foot Charley source their grapes from 16 local growers. Their wines are aged in barrels in 19th century root cellar adjacent to the winery, called The Barrel Room. You can choose to have a more intimate wine tasting experience tasting among the barrels if you like.
I’m drawn to Left Foot Charly for its outdoor patio. We’ve enjoyed relaxing there under the shade trees in summer, under a covered tent in the fall and staying toasty warm by a firepit during the winter.
Enjoy tasting flights, wine by the glass and small plates.
Try: Island View Vineyard Pinot Blanc (and for a small plate, go for the goat cheese spread with figs and walnuts, made by The Cheese Lady of Traverse City)
Location: Traverse City
Cherry Republic
What makes the winery at the Cherry Republic special? This is a family-friendly destination! It’s also a different kind of tasting adventure.
When friends with kids visit us, a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes is our go-to place for outdoor fun. Any trip to the dunes must include a stop at the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor.
With over 200 locally made cherry products, the Cherry Republic reigns when it comes to all-things- cherry: including wine and ciders!
Adults can enjoy complimentary tastings of more than a dozen cherry wines, two hard ciders and even cherry beer! All are made with locally grown Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries. Enjoy a glass on the patio or in the beautiful perennial gardens.
Meanwhile, kids can check out the soda counter and sample seven varieties of sodas, including Boom Chugga Lugga cherry soda pop, Sour Patch soda, Cherry Lemonade and Cherry Root Beer. Thy can also try their luck at the Olympic-sized pit spitting arena!
Another great perk: Cherry Republic is one of the few wineries around with a full-fledged restaurant. The Cherry Public House serves lunch and dinner during the tourist season.
Enjoy free tastes and wines by the glass. The Cherry Public House is a cherry-inspired restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Indulge in their homemade cherry ice cream!
Try: Great Hall Noir: blend of Pinot Noir with a splash of cherry. After a hot day at the sand dunes, Cherry Republic’s cherry ginger ale is the perfect refreshment for your designated driver.
Location: Glen Arbor
Mawby Vineyards
What makes Mawby special? All things bubbly! Mawby produces great sparkling wines, along with sparkling ciders and spritzers. Relax in the tasting room or on the outdoor patio to sample wines ranging from a crisp white Blanc Brut to their Bourbon Barrel Redd.
Established in 1973, Mawby is one of the longest -running wineries in the Traverse City region. They don’t just add carbonation to their wines to make them sparkle. Instead, all of Mawby’s beverages are fermented twice in order to give them a natural effervescence.
The staff at Mawby is particularly friendly. I’ve dropped by the tasting room solo, and have always felt welcome and right at home. Add a little fizz to your wine tour and be sure to put Mawby on your list of Traverse City wineries to visit!
Enjoy tasting flights, wine by the glass, and light food options. (I love their whitefish pate appetizer) Reservations are recommended.
Try: Sex. This naughty-named sparkling wine is a bestselling Brut Rosé . And the designated driver in your group can enjoy alcohol-free Safe Sex!
Location: Leelanau Peninsula
Black Star Farms
What makes the winery at Black Star Farms special? Everything you need all in one place! Book a weekend stay at an award-winning winery that also offers luxury accommodations and a year-round restaurant.
Black Star Farms actually runs two separate vineyards. The larger operation, on the Leelanau Peninsula near Suttons Bay, focuses on producing red wines. Their second location on the Old Mission Peninsula focuses on whites, but you can taste and purchase all wines at each location.
The 160-acre Black Star Farms estate is one of the crown jewels of the Traverse City wine scene. Overnight guests will find a bottle of house wine waiting for them in their room. All stays also come with a hospitality hour with wine and small bites, complimentary wine tasting in the tasting room, a gourmet breakfast and access to the recreational trails in and around the vineyards.
The Bistro Polaris restaurant is open year-round, making Black Star Farms the perfect place to stop if you want to enjoy lunch along with your wine tasting. The Bistro is hugely popular with the local crowd for their stellar Sunday brunch.
Enjoy tasting flights, wine by the glass and small plates in the tasting rooms, along with complete meals in Bistro Polaris.
Try: Arcturus Merlot. I always bring home a bottle! For something unique, try some of Black Star Farm’s specialty European-style fruit brandies.
Location: Leelanau Peninsula near Suttons Bay. (Plus a smaller venue on Old Mission Peninsula) The tasting rooms operate on a first-come, first-served basis and do not require reservations.
Don’t feel like driving yourself? Black Star Farms is one of three wineries included in the Leelanau Peninsula Traverse City Wine Tour.
Chateau Chantal
What makes Chateau Chantal special? It’s the perfect place to unwind on Old Mission Peninsula! Chateau Chantal is a top-notch winery and bed & breakfast. Chateau Chantal is famous for their multi-course wine pairing dinners, cooking classes, and tapas tours. Groups can also make arrangements for a private tour of the cellar.
Chateau Chantal is a French-style chateau located high on a hill. You’ll be treated to sweeping views of the vineyards. It’s also one of the few wineries with breathtaking views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bays.
Spend the night at Chateau Chantal’s luxurious bed & breakfast, where you can book cozy rooms or a spacious suite. Some have balconies, terraces, and wet bars. All of the accommodations have elegant furniture and phenomenal views.
You can splurge for add-on packages such as Champagne flutes with the Chateau Chantal logo, truffles and chocolates, or bouquets of flowers. And of course, in the morning you’ll be treated to a chef-prepared breakfast.
My best advice? Visit Chateau Chantal on a summer Thursday evening. That’s when Jazz at Sunset happens. The Jeff Haas Trio has been performing here on the outdoor patio for more than 30 years. There is no better place to sip some wine, enjoy great music and watch a spectacular sunset.
Enjoy wine flights, wine by the glass flatbread pizzas and charcuterie boards. Tastings are first come, first served: no reservations required. Reservations are required for Jazz at Sunset, Wine Dinners and Tapas Tours.
Try: Late Harvest Riesling. If you have a preference for sweet white wine, this is the place to get it! Chateau Chantal is also known for its dry Riesling.
Location: Old mission Peninsula. Chateau Chantal is one of the wineries included in the Traverse City Sunset Winery Tour.
Mari Vineyards
What makes Mari Vineyards special? Unique Tuscan architecture and underground wine cave tours! We are especially drawn to the beautiful mural behind the tasting room bar. It was created with 13,691 individual wine corks!
Mari’s beautiful Tuscan architecture is modeled after Italian wineries. In addition to producing local favorites like Riesling, Mari is known for its unique Italian varieties and red blends.
Mari only uses grapes grown right on their estate. Their spectacular white wines are drier and resemble a more European style. Their red wine is produced from grapes grown under hoop houses from May through November.
Each day, Mari offers several drop-in tours of their wine caves at a cost of $20. The caves are located 30 feet below the ground, well below the frost line. The caves maintain a steady temperature of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, creating the perfect environment for wine barrels to age the wine.
One of the passages leading out of the caves is perfectly aligned with the sunrise on the day of the summer solstice! Wine club members are invited to attend this special event.
You can make a reservation for a more detailed tour of the Tasting Room, Production Facility, and Wine Caves. This tour includes a wine tasting at the end. No matter which tour you decide on, you are guaranteed to learn a lot about Mari’s history and the wine-making process from their knowledgeable guides.
Purchase a flight or wine by the glass and small plates. First-come table service is available in the Tasting Room or on the Patio.
Try: Gamay Noir. It has an interesting hint of pepper!
Location: Old Mission Peninsula
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
What makes the Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery special? The Secret Garden! Visit Brys in mid July to savor the scent of 6,000 lavender plants in full bloom. Wander through the perennial flower garden where you can cut your own fresh flowers for a bouquet.
Check out the gift shop for lavender products, including soaps, candles, and lotions. Stock up on goodies like homemade lavender lemonade, freshly baked cookies and even Moomers lavender flavored ice cream!
In addition to its lovely setting, Brys is known for small-batch, estate-grown, award-winning wines. You’ll find northern Michigan favorites, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.
The lawn bar and upper deck are open during the summer months, offering a great view of the rolling vineyards and East Grand Traverse Bay. Take part in a game of cornhole while you’re at it!
The Brys Estate is one of the few wineries around that had lodging available right on the grounds. An older barn has been converted into a two-bedroom guesthouse for spending the night.
Enjoy flights, wine by the glass, and charcuterie boards. Brys also offers four different ciders made with estate apples, including a Secret Garden lavender cider.
Try: Frosé: Brys Estate’s frozen rosé specialty drink. It’s a slushy blend of
Pinot Noir and Riesling with strawberry and lemon. Splurge and add on a Brys Bubbly “topper!”
Location: Old Mission Peninsula
Bowers Harbor
What makes Bower Harbor special? Best winter winery! Whenever we have visitors during the winter, Bowers Harbor is our winery of choice. Their cozy heated pavilion set among the grapevines is perfect setting for cold-weather fun.
Kids are welcome at Bowers Harbor. Bring sleds and let them play in the snow while you relax in the pavilion or around the fire pit enjoying your wine or a boozy hot chocolate. You can also snowshoe around the grounds.
There’s a few Sundays each winter when Bowers Harbor partners with neighboring wineries to host a snowshoeing event when it’s possible to snowshoes between wineries. There’s no better way to beat the winter blues!
Bowers Harbor isn’t just kid -friendly: friendly dogs are welcome on the patio and on the grounds. You may even encounter one of the winery’s resident dogs.
Bowers Harbor was originally a horse farm. One of its stables has been converted into an intimate tasting room. The vineyard produces more than 30 wines and hard ciders. Of course it’s a great venue in the summer, too. It’s a special treat to enjoy a glass of wine while sitting at a table by the vines.
Enjoy flight tastings, wine and ciders by the glass, and snacks.
Try: Gewurztraminer wine, or the Cherry Cider.
Location: Old Mission Peninsula. Reservations are strongly recommended Fridays-Sundays. Credit cards only: no cash sales.
During the summer, Bowers Harbor is one of the wineries included in the Old Mission Peninsula Winery Tour.
2Lads
What makes 2Lads special? Floor to ceiling windows! 2 Lads is the farthest winery from downtown Traverse City, located about 15 miles out the Old mission Peninsula. Incredible views of the vineyards and East Grand Traverse Bay make it well worth the scenic drive.
The ultramodern architecture also sets 2 Lads apart from other wineries. We enjoy the tasting room’s quieter, intimate ambiance. We highly recommend making your trip during the week, if possible, to avoid weekend crowds.
2 Lads specializes in cool-climate sparkling and red wines, and small-run white wines. They also offer a couple of wine cocktails. I highly recommend the 2 Lads mule, made with red wine and a splash of ginger beer. The lime zest along the rim adds the perfect amount of zip!
Enjoy wine flights, wine by the glass, and a variety of charcuterie and trail mix options. No reservations are required. First-come, first-served seating is available in the tasting room and outdoors on the lawn.
Try: Cabernet Franc Blanc. Cabernet Franc is a signature red wine for many of the area’s wineries. 2 Lads’ Cabernet Franc Blanc is a unique take on this type of grape, and one of the most popular offerings in the tasting room.
Location: Old Mission Peninsula
Where to Stay During Your Traverse City Wine Tour
Luxury Option: The Hotel Indigo: Conveniently located in downtown Traverse City, it’s easy walking distance to numerous shops, bars and restaurants. Plus, the Hotel Indigo has one of the only rooftop bars in Traverse City, with gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay.
Mid-Range Option: Cherry Tree Inn & Suites: Perfect for families, its prime location on East Grand Traverse Bay along with an indoor pool means your family can swim no matter what the weather! And there is a playground for your kids to enjoy.
Budget Option: Sugar Beach Resort Hotel Located right on the beach; this hotel provides the perfect spot to enjoy the sunrise!
Pet-Friendly Option: Travelodge by Wyndham Travelling with your dog? The Travelodge by Wyndham has designated rooms for pets for an additional $25 per dog per night.
FAQs
Yes! Michigan makes excellent wine! The Traverse City region is known for its Rieslings, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs. Other popular northern Michigan wines include Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Cabernet Franc.
Does Michigan make good wine?
Yes! The Traverse City wine coast is known for its excellent, award-winning wines. The region is particularly known for Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc.
What city in Michigan has the most wineries?
That would be Traverse City, of course! The region features more than 40 wineries, making Traverse City a prime destination for wine enthusiasts.
Why does Traverse City have so many wineries?
First of all, Traverse City is located on the 45th parallel, that magical line across the globe halfway between the equator and the North Pole. This is the perfect climate for growing grapes. Some of the world’s finest wine producers also sit at this same latitude, including the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux region in France, the Piedmont region in Italy, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Secondly, Traverse City area wineries benefit from being so close to Lake Michigan. In the spring, the cool air near the lake keeps grape vines dormant until the threat of frost has passed. In the winter, warmer lake water protects the vineyards from extreme cold that could damage the vines.
Together, these two factors, along with well-drained, fertile soil, create ideal conditions for growing grapes and making wine!
The Wrap-Up
Enjoying a winery tour is one of the best things to do in Traverse City!
Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual visitor, the wineries in Traverse City offer something for everyone, with intimate tastings, scenic views, and welcoming tasting rooms to relax and savor the flavors.
