Michigan’s Wines are Making Headlines and Drawing Crowds
One of the now highly respected wine regions in the United States is nestled on a small peninsula, on the northwest tip of lower Michigan, by Traverse City. This previously lesser known wine region has been putting the Midwest on the wine tourism map.
The ten wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine AVA (a designated American Viticultural Area) have quietly been developing award winning wine since 1974. The unique geography of the peninsula creates the perfect climate and rich fertile soil for growing grapes for wine, along with apple, plum, and cherry orchards.
The bay waters help to maintain a mild climate—the winter lows generally hover around 17-19 degrees Fahrenheit, and the summer highs range from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The wine region is on the 45th parallel, halfway between the North Pole and the Equator, providing the perfect sunlight angle optimal for wine growing. Cultivation began with Native Americans, followed by European settlers in the 1840s, and has continued to be cultivated to the present day.
The region specializes in Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, and Cabernet Franc, but includes several other white and red wines, and late harvest dessert wines.
A great way to visit the Leelanau area wineries is to plan your tour by utilizing the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail, which leads north from Traverse City, along a 19 mile long strip, and is surrounded by Grand Traverse Bay.
The ten wineries on the trail all have spectacular scenic views of the bay and lighthouses.
Each winery offers tours, tastings, and some offer both limited to full menus—visitors can sample wines by the glass, or flight, and pair their selections with food options from cheese plates, and other lighter fare, to full reservations for Chef to Table entrees.
Enthusiasts can purchase bottles directly from the wineries themselves, and many bottles can also be found throughout Michigan’s wine shops as well—both in the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula.
Beyond sampling the vintages, several of the wineries provide occasional live music, lodging, and full dining. Make sure to call ahead for details, especially if you are traveling as a group, and consider making a weekend out of your exploration to give yourself or your group time to sample the offerings at a least a few of the ten vineyards.
There are numerous B&Bs, several hotels, and even Airbnb rentals in the area to book for your stay—warning, lodging fills fast, so the early bird gets the room! Interested wine lovers can check out the wineries’ websites directly or plan their trip via tourist websites, such as The Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trails’ own website, and/or via contacting the Leelanau Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the wineries and lodging options, The Old Mission Peninsula has several quaint villages for travelers to enjoy as they take in the sights and cuisine of the bay. For lighthouse devotees, Old Mission Village sits at the very tip of the peninsula and is known for its Old Mission Point Lighthouse built in 1870. Other nearby villages include Mapleton, Neahtawanta, and the ghost town of Archie.
The Leelanau wine region is conveniently located; it’s only five hours from Detroit, six hours from Chicago, and is an easy day trip from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, western New York, and Ontario.
For those travelers with a little more time on their hands, or for the non-wine lovers in the group, just a few miles south of the Leelanau Peninsula, visitors can explore the tourist destination Traverse City, a regional hub of shopping, dining, entertainment, and hospitality. The city has fashion boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. Several popular festivals attract tourists year-round – such as the National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival. Every autumn, people from Michigan, Chicago, Ohio, and Indiana flock up north to the area to view the spectacular fall colors of brilliant red, yellow, and orange leaves, and winter sports enthusiasts have no shortage of options.
The surrounding area also includes the spectacular Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan, located to the southwest of Traverse City. Northwest of Traverse City is the Leelanau Peninsula which, along with its vineyards, offers quaint villages, historic lighthouses, boat museums, art communities, boat marinas, dining, entertainment, antiques, fruit orchards, microbreweries, and cider mills. Beyond the award-winning grapes and wineries, the entire regional area is a year-round destination for hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, and beautiful road trips.
If you are looking for a fun, affordable, and palate-pleasing way to visit Michigan wineries, and support local vineyards, then consider planning a trip to the Leelanau area. May the Old Mission Peninsula Wineries offer you the perfect places to make memories with loved ones and celebrate life over a glass (or several) of Michigan’s finest. Cheers!
For further information, readers can peruse the following winery details:
The Ten Old Mission Wineries
2 Lads: Chris and Conet established their winery in 1991, using sustainable farming. The winery is a modern 10,000 square foot facility on 58 acres. The tasting room offers wine by the glass and light food entries. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Grigio.
Black Star Farms: The winery is nestled in rolling hills with scenic views. Established in 2007, the winery offers wine by the glass, lodging, dining, horse stables, and is a venue for events and weddings. It has a sister winery in Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer.
Bowers Harbor Vineyards: The boutique winery with a scenic view was formed in 1991, by the Stengenda family. It offers wine by the glass, hard cider, and light food entries. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Gewurztraminer.
Bry Estate Vineyard: Walt and Ellen Brys are the third owners of the 111 acre farm since the 1890s. Formed in 2001, the winery has become an international award winning wine producer. The winery offers lodging, dining, wine by the glass, an upper deck, and herb gardens. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer.
Chateau Chantal: The Begin family formed the French style winery, bed and breakfast, and restaurant in 1993, on the 65 acre estate. The winery is located on the highest points of the peninsula with scenic east and west views of the Grand Traverse Bays. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, Gewurztraminer, and Malbec.
Chateau Grand Traverse: The award winning Chateau is the oldest winery in northern Michigan, formed in 1974 by Ed O’Keefe, Jr. Today the winery cultivates 202 acres and offers an inn and restaurant. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Gewurztraminer.
Hawthorne Vineyards: The boutique winery is secluded on 80 acres with scenic views of the east and west bays. The Hawthorne family formed the estate in 2013, to cultivate wine, cherries, and plums. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Gewurztraminer.
Mari Vineyards: Marty Lagina founded the estate in 1999, on 60 acres. The winery offers wine by the glass and light food entries. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, and specialty Italian wines.
Peninsula Cellars: The Kroupa family began the winery in 1991, on their sixth generation 115 year old fruit orchard farm. The winery offers wine by the glass, fruit wines, hard cider, and light food entries. The historic Maple Grove Schoolhouse is used as the tasting room. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, and Gewurztraminer.
Tabone Vineyards: Formed in 2000, the winery offers wine by the glass and light food entries. Featured wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio.
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Types of Wine
White Wines
Chardonnay – very popular, full bodied, dry, crisp, high acidity
Riesling – very popular, full bodied, fruity, smooth, either dry or sweet
Pinot Blanc – full bodied, either dry or sweet
Sauvignon Blanc – full bodied, dry, crisp, refreshing
Pinot Grigio – full bodied, spicy, dry,
Gewurztraminer – fruity, off dry or sweet
Muscat Ottonet – sweet, used in dessert wines
Red Wines
Merlot – highly popular, full bodied with high tannin, fruity, smooth
Cabernet Sauvignon – very popular, full bodied, high tannin, smooth
Pinot Noir – light red with lower tannin, smooth, increasing popularity
Cabernet Franc – light and smooth, fruity, low in tannin
Gamay Noir – light bodied, dry, low tannin
Shiraz – full bodied, spicy
Malbec – rustic version of Merlot
