Unbeknownst to many, Michigan has one of the biggest wine regions in the United States. In fact, I grew up in Southern Michigan and didn’t realize the magnitude of the wine production until the last few years. I now live in Florida so each time I visit Michigan I try and make it a priority to check more Traverse City wineries off of my list. With around 50 wineries in the area, it’s safe to say I still have a lot of wine tasting in Traverse City to do in the foreseeable future…
I personally prefer sweeter wines so I appreciate that the Traverse City wine region has a lot of sweet options. However, they also have dry wine if that’s more your thing.
Down below, I share with you the best Traverse City wineries I have visited so far!
Contents show
Best Traverse City Wineries for Wine Tasting
1. Mari Vineyards
- Peninsula: Old Mission
- Tasting fee: $24 USD for four wines
- Reservation needed? Suggested for groups of 10 or more
When pulling up to Mari Vineyards, the brick building and architecture will make you feel as though you have been transported to Italy. Their venue sits at the top of a hill and the picnic tables and lawn chairs out front give you close-up views of the rolling hills and bay. The inside is spacious and cozy and they offer tours around the vineyard and facilities in addition to private VIP experiences.
The prices seem more expensive than other wineries but this might be because they offer table service for their small plates.
From this list, Mari Vineyard has mostly semi-dry to dry wines so it was more difficult to find something I enjoyed but the wine expert helped me land on Late Harvest Riesling which was just right – sweet but not too sweet.
2. Bowers Harbor Vineyards
- Peninsula: Old Mission
- Tasting fee: $22-26 USD for four wines, $50 for five first-class wines, or $16 USD for four ciders
- Reservation needed? Not required but suggested
The vibes at Bowers Harbor are whimsical and the atmosphere feels so peaceful and authentic.
Bowers Harbor is one of the best places to go wine tasting in Traverse City. Simply choose from one of their flight towers or order by the glass. My husband and I went for the Flagship Wine Flight – ours had a nice mix of whites and reds. Bowers Harbor is also well-liked for their hard ciders so we had to do the cider flight too!
Bower’s spacious property has many different sections to hang out in. We came with a large group and we bopped around from the covered tent to the long picnic tables surrounded by vineyards. There were also small tables in the middle that would work well for couples and small groups.
The views of Lake Michigan aren’t as notable as some of the other wineries in Traverse City but that doesn’t dock any points away from how much I enjoyed it!
3. Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
- Peninsula: Old Mission
- Tasting fee: $20 USD for five pours, $15 USD for three pours, or cider flight $12 USD
- Reservation needed? Not required but suggested
I have visited Brys Estate two years in a row and I wouldn’t be mad about making it three in a row. Once you see the views of the lake from their raised patio you will agree, that Brys is heaven on earth. No wonder it is ranked as the #1 winery in Traverse City.
In the summer months, Brys Estate is known for its Froze and I can confirm it is fantastic! Sweet and smooth while still being refreshing. I also tried their canned Lavender wine.
If you are coming with a large group keep in mind that they will have you go to the back lawn which doesn’t have a great view of the water but, they still allow you to take pictures on the deck without any issues.
Secret Garden
Tucked away at the end of the driveway on the lower half of the property ground are the lavender fields at the Secret Garden. During the summer months (mid-June to late July) the lavender is in full bloom. It is a 12-acre purple haze that you don’t want to leave. The little gift shop offers a nice variety of lavender products, food, and trinkets from local businesses.
As you can see, this is a must-visit winery in Traverse City!
4. Leelanau Wine Cellars Tasting Room
- Peninsula: Leelanau
- Tasting fee: free tastings during weekdays, $5 USD for five pours during the weekend
- Reservation needed? No
Leelanau Cellars is a nationally recognized brand that can be found in retail stores across the nation. My brother and I had been fans of Leelanau wine for a few years before we had the opportunity to visit their tasting room. The wines that originally hooked me were their Witches Brew — a spiced mulled wine — and the Lakeshore Collection Riesling.
The Leelanau Wine Cellars Tasting Room is situated on the Grand Traverse Bay right off of M-22 in Omena. The color of the water of the lake here is bright turquoise and you can enjoy its vibrancy through the panoramic windows on the inside or the outdoor back and side patios. There isn’t a bad seat in the house!It’s one of Michigan’s best hidden gems!
They also have one of the best deals for wine tasting in Traverse City, just $5 USD for five pours! Our host was feeling generous and threw in a few more samples! He also provided us with lots of information on each of the wines we tasted.
Leelanau Cellars is a place I could easily come back to again and again!
5. Left Foot Charley/The Barrel Room
- Location: Traverse City
- Tasting fee: $16 USD for a wine or cider flight of four
- Reservation needed? No, but you can reserve a table for The Barrel Room
Left Foot Charley is one of the only vineyards and wineries in downtown Traverse City. This independent winery works alongside 18 of the best growers in Northern Michigan to create a range of wines with varying flavors.
Their tasting room is the main attraction but they also own The Barrel Room a couple of buildings down the street. The rustic look and intimate feel of the root cellar make it such a cool space!
We rented out The Barrel Room for our rehearsal dinner but you can experience this cool space as a drop-in or with a reservation on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Note: open mic night is every Monday.
All of our rehearsal dinner guests loved the wines – my favorites were the Cinnamon Girl Cider and the Le Caban Riesling 2022.
During your visit, a wine specialist will be waiting to take you through a tasting of their wine and cider. Wine is sold by the glass or bottle.
For a more personalized experience book their Barrel Room Experience which includes a 90-minute enhanced tasting for just $35 USD per person.
6. Bonobo Winery
- Peninsula: Old Mission
- Tasting fee: No flights but you can book a wine tasting for $20 USD (must be done in advance)
- Reservation needed? Yes, for the wine-tasting experience
Out of all the Traverse City wineries, Bonobo Winery has one of the best vineyards and lake views from their spacious patio – I’m indecisive but I think it’s my favorite! The modern inside and high ceilings make the entire winery a place you want to linger inside.
The prices here are great and they let you go home with the glass free of charge!
Also, I have to mention how delicious their fresh lavender vodka lemonade slushie was. It was just perfect on a warm summer’s day! During our evening visit, there was live music and it was the cherry on top.
View their live music schedule here.
Best Wine Tours From Traverse City
Organized wine tours begin in downtown Traverse City and you will have the option to explore either the Leelanau Peninsula wineries or the Old Mission Peninsula Wineries. For private wine tours, you can request pick-up from your desired location.
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour (4 or 5 hours)
The 5-hour Old Mission Peninsula tour visits three of the four wineries covered on my list above. You will kick your day off at Chateau Chantal Winery & Tasting Room which rests atop one of the highest points on Old Mission. From this vantage point, you can take in the incredible views of both the East and West ends of Grand Traverse Bay and Power Island!
The last three stops are Bowers Harbor Vineyard, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, and Bonobo. If you missed it, just scroll back up to learn more about these locations!
This tour has a maximum of 20 passengers and costs $99 USD Sunday to Thursday, $109 USD on Fridays, and $119 USD on Saturdays. You will meet at the Civic Center Parking lot and depart at noon.
There is also a four-hour Old Mission tour, the only differences are that it doesn’t stop at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery and the tour departs at 5:30 in the evening. This departure time will allow you to enjoy a beautiful Northern Michigan sunset at your final stop.
5-Hour Leelanau Peninsula Wine Tour
Enjoy the music and commentary from your driver as you make your way out to the Leelanau Peninsula for a 5-hour experience to three top wineries in Traverse City.
First up is Black Star Farms, set on an expansive 160 acres of vineyards and facilities. They have over 50 different wines to choose from. The tour continues at Shady Lane Cellars, which is half the size of Black Star Farms. Relax in the intimate indoor and outdoor seating areas and order a cheese plate to pair with your wine. The day finishes at Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate, which sits at 1165 feet of elevation. This fifth-generation winery grows 12 different types of vinifera grapes, including five reds. Their small-batch wine has its own unique set of characteristics for you to taste.
This tour has a maximum of 14 passengers, costs $99 USD, and begins at noon. You can book this Leelanau Peninsula Wine Tour with Viator here.
Designated Driver: We Drive Your Car Wine Tour
Private tours can be costly but this tour cuts down the costs because you can hire a designated driver to drive your car. With this 5-hour personalized experience, departure times are flexible and you can request which wineries on which peninsula you’d like to visit. The cost is $369 USD for up to 6 people.
Book your private winery tour here!
Private Traverse City Winery Tour With Custom Itinerary
Want to book a winery tour with a large group? The easiest way is by booking a private bus tour like this one. This particular tour can hold a maximum of 14 people. You will be able to choose the 4 cellars you visit on either Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula.
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries vs Leelanau Peninsula Wineries
Old Mission Peninsula is an 18-mile stretch of land where you will find 10 wineries within 5 miles of each other. Leelanau Peninsula is a much broader area with many more wineries than Old Mission Peninsula. In fact, 20 wineries lay along The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and there is a paved trail that you can bike along. If you don’t feel like being that active you can self-drive or join an organized Leelanau Peninsula wine tour.
I have explored the Old Mission Peninsula wineries and Leelanau Peninsula wineries and both have blown me out of the water for their beautiful landscapes, wonderful hospitality, and most importantly, the incredible tasting wine.
If you are self-driving the Leelanau Peninsula make a full day or two out of it and visit some of Michigan’s best small towns and notable scenic attractions. Here are a few places to add to your list:
- Sutton’s Bay – As the name reflects, this town sits on the Grand Traverse Bay. There are beaches with crystal clear water and colorful eye-catching shops and restaurants. It’s small but there is enough to keep you busy. Hive Coffee Co. serves Mundo’s espresso (one of my favorite cafes in TC). You could also catch a movie at their adorable theatre. On the outskirts, don’t miss the world-class west bay view at Sutton’s Bay Ciders.
- Glen Arbor – Enjoy the Sleeping Bear Dunes by hiking one of the trails, or go swimming at Glen Lake or one of the beaches. Blu and The Mill are two highly-rated fine dining choices.
- Northport – The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is the main attraction but it also has scenic hiking trails and beaches to discover. If you’re hungry, there’s a handful of restaurants, a brewery, and a cafe downtown.
- Leland – also known as Fish Town, this little area might win in a popularity contest. It has plenty of shops and restaurants (don’t get me started on the Village Cheese Shanty), and the dam in the middle makes it very photogenic.
Besides the wineries, there isn’t as much to explore on Old Mission but if you have a car, you should at least drive out to the tip of the peninsula to check out Mission Point Lighthouse. Then, end your day by stopping for homemade ice cream at Buchan’s Blueberry Hill.
Which Peninsula is better for a Traverse City Wine Tour?
There isn’t really a “right” answer to this question but if you are particular I would suggest looking up and comparing the wine tour itineraries and seeing which ones interest you the most.
In general, Old Mission Peninsula wine tours are the most popular choice for organized tours because of how (close together the wineries are so you will be able to maximize your time spent at each winery. If you are looking to avoid crowds during the weekends in peak season then a tour of the Leelanau Peninsula would be the move. If you want to go for the Leelanau wine tour, I recommend booking the 5-hour tour so you don’t feel rushed.
Best Time to do a Wine Tour in Traverse City
Summer and fall are the prime times to book a Traverse City wine tour. The weather during the summertime is perfect with an average temperature of 75 to 80 F from June to August.In fall you can enjoy moderate temperatures and a display of orange, crimson, scarlet, and gold.
Facts About Michigan and Traverse City Wine
- There are over 50 different varieties of wine growing in Michigan. The most popular grape used is Riesling followed closely by Chardonnay.
- Michigan is included in the Riesling Belt which spans from Washington to New York.
- Just like Bordeaux and Piedmont, the Traverse City Great Lakes Region sits on the 45th parallel, halfway between The North Pole and the Equator. This winemaking location has fertile soil and ideal temperatures moderated by the Great Lakes.
- As of 2023, Michigan ranks in the top 5 states with the most wineries.
Other Things to Do in Traverse City
There are so many other fun things to do in Traverse City! Here are a few ideas:
- Clinch Park Beach– You don’t have to drive far for a beautiful beach day. Many beaches wrap around the Grand Traverse Bay but we chose Clinch Park because there is ample parking across the street. The beach is long enough that you can find a quieter area if you walk towards the east. Clinch Park also has foot showers, clean restrooms, and concessions.
- The Little Fleet – An open-air food truck and drink haven that is perfect for groups with different food preferences. They are open late and dogs are welcome to hang out!
- Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park – Spend an hour or two walking through the different gardens on the property – don’t miss the Walled Garden. It’s also a great place to bring a packed lunch and enjoy it from underneath the pavilion to the left of the welcome center.
Where to Stay in Traverse City
- Country Inn & Suites – This is the hotel we used during our wedding week. It was affordable and centrally located (just 2.5 miles from downtown!). Our guests only had good things to say about it. The pool and hot tub were spacious and I loved the floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. They also serve a full continental breakfast. Country Inn is a bang for your buck!
- Seasons Inn– I spent three nights here and it was simple but enjoyable for the low price. The exterior and lobby are underwhelming but the rooms are very clean and updated. They also have a pool and serve breakfast daily. It is located 4.5 miles from downtown.
- Alexandra Inn – A new beachfront hotel with a restaurant, terrace bar, fitness center, and private beach access. Free parking is included. Staying here will make your trip to Traverse City all that more enjoyable! It is located 5 miles from downtown.
Inspired to visit the best Traverse City wineries?
While Traverse City isn’t Napa Valley, the award-winning wines and beautiful properties are worthy of a visit! So bike, drive, or book a wine tour during your visit to Traverse City!
If you are exploring Michigan here are some related guides to check out:
Ultimate guide to Mackinac Island
Best Michigan waterfalls (with a map!)
Unique things to do in Lansing and East Lansing