Most people don’t think of Northern Michigan when they think of wine, but Traverse City wineries have quietly earned their place on the wine map. Thanks to Lake Michigan and the region’s location along the 45th parallel, this area has a surprisingly ideal climate for cool-climate grapes.
While this region is best known for its Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and sparkling wines—there are some impressive reds grown here too. With over 40 wineries spread across the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas, there’s no shortage of beautiful spots to sip and explore.
As a local, I’ve spent plenty of sunny afternoons sipping wine around Traverse City, and I’ve personally visited every winery on this list (camera in hand!) so you can get a real feel for each spot and pick the ones that fit your perfect wine day.
This list is for those looking for the staples. These are my go-to recommendations for the best wineries to visit in Traverse City for a well rounded wine experience. Some are big names, others are more under the radar, but they each have something special going for them.
affiliate disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe in. Your support makes it possible for me to provide valuable travel content. Thank you!
The Best Wineries to Visit in Traverse City
These aren’t in any particular order.
Note: Winery hours can change seasonally—especially in the off-season—so always double check before you go! Some spots stay open later than others (like Bonobo), which can be helpful when planning your route.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
- 📍 Old Mission Peninsula
- ⭐ A longtime local favorite for its great wine, relaxing deck, and East Bay views. It’s one of the more polished wineries on the peninsula, but still feels laid-back and welcoming.
- 🍷 What to try: Their Frosé is basically famous at this point—especially on a hot day. If you’re doing a flight, their Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc are also great picks.
- 💡 While they do take walk-ins, reservations are recommended if you want to sit on the upper deck—especially in summer. We usually go at off-peak times and walk in just fine for deck seating, but we’ve ended up in the barrel room (which is still so lovely!) a few times when it’s busy.
Perched on the ridge of Old Mission Peninsula, Brys Estate offers a wine tasting experience that checks all the boxes: a beautiful setting, well-made wines, and that iconic frosé. Their upper deck looks out over the vineyards and East Bay, and it’s one of my favorite spots for a slow afternoon. If you’re lucky enough to grab a seat outside, it’s one of the best views around.
Hawthorne Vineyards
- 📍 Old Mission Peninsula
- ⭐ Peaceful, personal, and perfect for red wine lovers. This is one of my favorite spots on Old Mission—not just for the wine, but the experience. It’s a little more tucked away, usually less busy, and has a slower, more relaxed vibe that’s hard to beat.
- 🍷 What to try: Their Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc are standouts—some of my favorite reds in the area.
- 💡 I’ve always walked in, but they do accept reservations. Weekdays or early afternoons are usually calm.
Hawthorne feels different from a lot of other wineries. When you walk in, you’re paired with someone who helps you choose and customize your wine flight instead of just ordering randomly off the menu. They’ll walk you through the options, ask what you usually like, and make thoughtful recommendations. Combine that with vineyard views and both bays in the distance, and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to stay awhile.
Black Star Farms
- 📍 Leelanau Peninsula
- ⭐ Award-winning wines. The Leelanau location is the one I always recommend over the OMP one; it’s more of a destination, with the tasting room, Inn, and farm with horses and goats. The drive in through the vines is really idyllic.
- 🍷 What to try: Their dry Rieslings are fantastic (and award-winning), and the Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling was actually my first wine love. It is probably my favorite late harvest riesling in the area. The Cabernet Franc stood out as one of the better reds I’ve had in the region. Their Pinot Noir is great and the Gamay Noir is good too. They have really solid wines all across the board.
- 💡 This spot is perfect for a more leisurely visit. There is a seasonal bistro on site and they also do cocktails in addition to wine at the tasting room. Plan a little extra time to wander, or say hi to the animals. The tasting experience (especially outdoors) is a little less personal than other wineries, with the way the ordering works.
I’ve been visiting Black Star Farms since before I could even drink- it’s a really pretty spot with a farm, Inn, restaurant etc. Their wines are consistently great, and the whole setting makes it feel like more than just a tasting room.
Mawby Vineyards
- 📍 Leelanau Peninsula
- ⭐ Sparkling wine paradise. Mawby is the place for bubbles—playful and full of personality.
- 🍷 What to try: Their “Sex” sparkling rosé is basically a Northern Michigan classic.
- 💡 Mawby is a local staple, known for producing some of the best sparkling wines in the region. Their bottles are easy to spot in grocery stores and make great gifts. They even have a winery, BigLittle, right next door—so you can easily try both in one stop.
- 📸 Photos coming soon
Mawby is all about sparkling wine—if you like bubblys, this is a must-visit.
Bonobo Winery
- 📍 Old Mission Peninsula
- ⭐ Gorgeous views, social vibe, and one of the only wineries open late. The wine doesn’t stand out to me particularly, but the atmosphere is great—and it’s often where I end up if I’m out in the evening.
- 🍷 What to try: They don’t offer full flights, but they’ll usually let you sample a splash or two to help you pick a glass. Try their Bonobo Red or Chardonnay.
- 💡 Bonobo stays open the latest of any winery in the area—typically until 9pm during peak season. If you’re planning a late evening wine stop, this is the place.
Bonobo might not be my top pick for wine itself, but it’s hard to beat the views and overall vibe. It’s a beautiful space that feels a little more social than most, and it’s reliably open later than other spots—making it an easy go-to for casual weeknight hangs or a final stop on a wine hop.
Shady Lane Cellars
- 📍 Leelanau Peninsula
- ⭐ A charming, more under-the-radar winery known for small-batch wines. The countryside location is beautiful, there is a big lawn with corn hole, hammocks, lots of different seating areas, and is a great spot for a sunny afternoon.
- 🍷 What to try: I really like their dry riesling, and the Muscat was also recommended to me and didn’t disappoint. I think these were my two favorites on the flight. The Franc N Franc and Cabernet Franc are also solid. One of their most popular wines is the Gruner Veltliner, though it wasn’t my personal favorite.
- 💡Flights here are a great value—3 for $12 with generous pours. It’s also super easy to reach from the TART Trail, making it a fun bike-accessible winery stop.
Shady Lane has a boutique feel that sets it apart from the bigger, more touristy spots. It’s a small-batch winery with a chill countryside setting. The staff is helpful in helping you pick out what you might want to try.
2 Lads Winery
- 📍 Old Mission Peninsula
- ⭐ Modern and minimalist with a focus on cold-climate wines, sustainability, and tech-forward winemaking. It’s one of the most unique-looking wineries on the peninsula, set in a sleek building with big windows and views of East Bay.
- 🍷 What to try: Their Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc are well-known, and they also do great work with sparkling wines.
- 💡 2 Lads doesn’t have a deck, but they do have floor-to-ceiling windows. Being one of the furthest stops up the peninsula, it also tends to be a little quieter earlier in the day.
- 📸 Photos coming soon
2 Lads stands out from the rest of Old Mission with its modern tasting room and more experimental approach to winemaking. It’s a good pick if you want something different from the usual rustic barn or vineyard patio vibe—and their commitment to sustainability and small production adds to the experience.
Blustone Vineyards
- 📍 Leelanau Peninsula
- ⭐ Stylish and scenic with a clean, modern tasting room and beautiful countryside vineyard views.
- 🍷 What to try: Known for their dry whites, especially Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.
- 💡 Their outdoor patio is a perfect spot for an afternoon sip.
- 📸 Photos coming soon
Blustone hits that sweet spot of being photogenic and having great wine. The tasting room is full of natural light thanks to its wall of windows, and the overall vibe is calm, scenic, and refined.
Left Foot Charley
- 📍 Traverse City (The Village at Grand Traverse Commons)
- ⭐ A unique urban winery that offers something totally different from the vineyard experience. Tucked into the historic Commons complex, it’s got a cool, repurposed feel and is known for working with small growers around Northern Michigan.
- 🍷 What to try: I really enjoy the Kerner, I would definitely recommend to try this one. The OMP Blaufrankish Reserve was my favorite red on the menu. They also have a great cider called Cinnamon Girl.
- 💡 Check out The Barrel Room if you want a more private vibe—it’s a great little spot out around back. It is a more intimate setting and they only do glasses or bottles in this space. If you want a flight you’ll have to stay in the main tasting room up front. This is also one of the closest wineries to visit from downtown.
Left Foot Charley is perfect if you’re looking for something a little different from the typical wine trail experience. Tucked into the old state hospital grounds at the Commons, it’s an urban winery with a cool, off the beaten path feel. Their small batch wines and yummy ciders make it an easy add to the list.
Mari Vineyards
- 📍 Old Mission Peninsula
- ⭐ A European-style villa setting with beautiful views and a terrace that looks out over East Bay. It’s definitely one of the most photogenic wineries in the region.
- 🍷 What to try: Mari offers some unique varietals for this region, including Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. I tried the Troglodyte Rosso last time and it wasn’t my favorite, but I’ve only had wines by the glass here, and not done a flight, so I’ll need to go back and give it a proper try sometime.
- 💡 Glasses and flights here are the most expensive in the area by far, so it’s more of a splurge and photogenic moment stop. That said, the terrace is a beautiful place to sit and soak it all in.
Mari isn’t my personal go to for the wine, but the setting alone makes it worth visiting at least once. The stone architecture and terrace feel straight out of Europe, and the views over East Bay are stunning. They use a covered growing system to protect certain grapes from the cold, allowing them to experiment with varietals you don’t usually see in Northern Michigan. I’ve only ever ordered a glass from the outdoor bar (which doesn’t offer the most personal experience), and I haven’t done a flight here as it’s one of the pricier wineries, so when I’m choosing where to revisit, I tend to pick others.
Leelanau or Old Mission?
If you’re planning to go winery hopping, I’d definitely recommend choosing either Leelanau or Old Mission for the day—not both. The peninsulas are fairly spread out, and you’ll enjoy the experience way more if you’re not rushing between the two.
Old Mission has the edge if you’re after the classic bay views and that iconic “peninsula wine tasting” feel. The drive is stunning, and many of the wineries overlook both the vineyards and the bay. It’s also more compact, so it’s easy to hit several stops without spending too much time in the car.
Leelanau, on the other hand, is home to more low key wineries and a wider variety of vibes. It’s more spread out, but so lovely for sunny days in the countryside.
If you have time, check out both on different days. But if you’re only picking one for your wine day, choose based on what kind of experience you’re after: iconic views and easy hopping (Old Mission), or hidden gems and a slower pace (Leelanau).
Traverse City Wineries Itinerary Idea
An Afternoon on Old Mission
If you’re looking for an easy wine hop that hits some of the best wineries to visit in Traverse City, here’s an exact 4-stop itinerary I followed last summer:
Old Mission Peninsula:
- Mari Vineyards – Just a short drive up the base of the peninsula. Enjoy the architecture and great views.
- Hawthorne Vineyards – Peaceful, personal, and great for tastings.
- Brys Estate – Iconic stop for the large deck, frosé and views.
- Bonobo Winery – Stays open the latest, so a great spot to end your day with a glass on the huge patio.
Traverse City Wineries Map
Here’s a map of all the wineries mentioned above.
Need a Ride? Consider a Wine Tour
If you’re planning to just stop for a glass and a snack at one or two wineries, you’re probably fine on your own. But if you’re doing a deeper tasting or hopping to many spots, I definitely recommend having a designated driver or booking a wine tour—it makes the whole day more fun, stress-free, and safe.
Here are a few well-rated tour companies to check out:
That wraps up my list of some of the best wineries to visit in Traverse City, but don’t be afraid to explore beyond this list. Everyone’s wine taste is different, and there are so many great little spots tucked into both peninsulas.
Be sure to check each winery’s hours before you go—they change seasonally and some aren’t open into the evenings, especially outside of summer.
Planning a visit to Traverse City? Head over to my Traverse City Travel Guide to plan your whole trip—from wine tasting to beach days and everything in between.