Traverse City wineries have become a must-visit location for wine lovers everywhere. This is because the region’s microclimate offers the ideal conditions for growing grapes to make some of the best wines you’ve ever experienced. And with over 40 wineries spread across the region, you’re truly spoilt for choice!
The area offers a cooler climate and vibrant colours, and if you happen to be near Traverse City in the harvest season, you’ll really be in for a treat. While the wine industry in Northern Michigan has only become popular in the last 25 years, the wines and ciders being produced will blow you off your feet.
The wineries in Traverse City are home to some of the best Michigan wineries, and as a result, the wine industry has continued to grow from strength to strength. And we’ll be sharing some of our favourites with you, so keep reading!
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Top Tips Before Heading Out
A wine tasting tour is a great way to spend the weekend. That being said, it is important to remain mindful of the fact that you are consuming alcohol.
So to prepare, always ensure that you have a good breakfast before heading out and be sure to schedule snacks in between. If you are driving between wineries, try to arrange a taxi or shuttle. That way, everyone can enjoy the trip and get home safely.
Discover The Best Wineries In Traverse City
Traverse City wineries attract wine lovers and collectors from across the world. That’s right – the world. Not just the state or country, how impressive is that? So on that note, let’s take a look at some of the wineries you should visit.
End of the Road Winery
An old family barn owned by Jim and Robin Barker is home to this charming little winery. They specialise in growing grapes suited for the cold climate and able to survive harsh Michigan winters. They have fruity wines on offer as well as a range of red and white wines.
Northern Natural Cider House and Winery
This winery and cider house is all about buying and growing its ingredients locally. They use organic fruit in their wines and ciders and farm their Gold Medal grape and port wines – sustainably of course. You can enjoy a glass of wine or cider with one of their hand-tossed pizza – once again all the ingredients are locally sourced and support the local community. They even have a summer concert series if you are looking for something more festive.
Left Foot Charley
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For a wine tasting that offers a bit more, why not give Left Foot Charley a go? You can enjoy tastings of their wines and ciders, and if you need a break from it all, a scenic hike through The Commons will provide exactly that.
Blustone Vineyards
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Located along the beautiful Michigan shoreline, Blustone Vineyards is a winery that you won’t want to miss. The vineyard was inspired by finding a Leland Bluestone and is driven by the pursuit of life’s unpredictable, rare moments. Their range includes sparkling wines as well as roses, whites and red wines.
Boyne Valley Vineyards
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The modern barn offers an open-air tasting experience for a laid back approach to wine tasting. The 113-acre nature preserve offers scenic views, the perfect way to enjoy a glass or two of wine. During the summer, weekends have a vibe and offer live music to be enjoyed with your favourite bottle of wine.
Brengham Brothers
This beautiful winery is sustainable and 100% organic, in addition to being located in one of the most beautiful landscapes. Here, you can enjoy wines that include Cab Franc, Dry Reisling and Pinot Vin Gris.
Pond Hill Farm
This gem in Harbour Springs offers visitors a little bit of everything that you’d be looking for in a memorable wine tasting experience. It’s got things to keep the kids busy while offering the grownups a chance to sit back and relax. The Biergarten & Cafe Deck outside has a hot menu as well as beer, wine, cider and soft drink selection to keep everyone happy. And in addition to all of this, there’s also a farm market with delicious hand-tossed pizza and livestock to interact with.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
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This 111-acre estate is truly something to behold. Inspired by the picturesque Napa Valley, this family-owned vineyard features a restored 1890s farmstead that houses the entire operation. You can book a spot on the scenic upper deck or even a romantic night away at the beautiful guesthouse on the property. Another must-see is the secret lavender garden if you’ve got the time to explore of course.
Mawby
These wines are made with some of the oldest grapes on the peninsula and feature rather obscure names that will have people talking about it long after their tasting. Their wide range of wines are known for being amazing and it’s rare that you’ll find a bad bottle here.
Baia Estates
While they do not currently have a tasting room, their wines speak for themselves and validate being added to the list. The wines may be new on the scene, but they are readily available in the area and people are taking note of it.
And That’s A Wrap, Folks
When it comes to the best wineries in Traverse City, it was hard to select only 10 of them. Our best advice is to use this list as a blueprint for your next wine tour, but be open to making a few extra stops along the way. These are some of the many great Traverse City wineries just waiting for you to discover them, so get going!