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Best Traverse City Wineries: Old Mission + Leelanau Picks

ByJill Halpin Hours

Last Updated: March 2026

Traverse City sits along the 45th parallel — the same latitude as Bordeaux and Piedmont — and the two wine trails that radiate out from it are genuinely among the best in the Midwest. I’ve visited these peninsulas in every season. The Old Mission Peninsula gives you 10 wineries in 18 miles with bay views at nearly every stop. The Leelanau Peninsula spreads 20+ wineries across three loops and a much larger landscape. Here’s how to plan your visit to both.

Traverse City winery vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula with Grand Traverse Bay views

📌 Traverse City Wineries: In a Nutshell

  • Two trails: Old Mission Peninsula (10 wineries, 18-mile drive, compact) and Leelanau Peninsula (25+ wineries, three loops, larger area requiring more planning)
  • Best for first-timers: Old Mission Peninsula — wineries are close together, bay views at nearly every stop, easy half-day from downtown Traverse City
  • Best for serious wine lovers: Leelanau Peninsula — more variety, artisan approach, Black Star Farms and Mawby are standouts
  • Signature varietals: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines — all cool-climate
  • Walk-ins: Most tasting rooms welcome walk-ins; reservations recommended on summer weekends and for groups
  • Pace: 3–5 wineries per day is realistic — more than that and you stop tasting and start drinking
  • Dog-friendly: Bowers Harbor, Brys Estate, 45 North, Good Harbor, and others welcome leashed dogs — confirm before you go
  • ADA accessible: Chateau Grand Traverse (accessible tasting room + parking), Brys Estate (ADA-compliant), Bel Lago (accessible facilities)
  • Guided tours: Grand Traverse Tours, Old Mission Tours, Wine Country Limo & Trolley — see tour section below

Two Trails, One Region — Which Peninsula Is Right for You?

The two trails serve different kinds of wine days. Old Mission Peninsula is an 18-mile drive that juts straight into Grand Traverse Bay — 10 wineries close together, sweeping bay views from almost every stop, and easy to cover in a half-day without a guide. Leelanau Peninsula is a larger, more sprawling wine region — 25+ wineries organized into three geographic loops (Sleeping Bear, Northern Peninsula, and Grand Traverse Bay), spread across charming towns, forested ridges, and rolling farmland. You need more time and more planning on Leelanau, but the depth of the experience is greater.

Both trails are accessible from downtown Traverse City. Old Mission starts within minutes of downtown heading north on M-37. Leelanau is a 15–20 minute drive west. If you only have one day, pick one peninsula and do it properly rather than rushing between both.

Interactive map of Traverse City wineries on Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula
Interactive Map: Check the Traverse City Wineries Map for all locations, driving routes, and distances between stops.

Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

Ten wineries span this slim, 18-mile peninsula jutting into Grand Traverse Bay. Most are along or just off Center Road (M-37) — easy to string together with minimal backtracking. Walk-ins are welcome at all of them; call ahead for groups or weekend visits in peak season.

2 Lads Winery

  • 📍 16985 Smokey Hollow Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
  • 🌐 2ladswinery.com

A sleek, modern winery with sustainable practices tucked down Smokey Hollow Drive. Their Pinot Noir is a personal favorite — the bay views from the tasting area are worth the slight detour off the main trail.

Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn

One of the most iconic stops on Old Mission. The patio overlooking the bay is the best seat on the peninsula for a glass of wine, and the semi-dry Riesling is as good as you’ll find in Michigan. If timing works, their wine dinners are worth planning around.

Wine glass and vineyard view at Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula Traverse City
Photo from Kyle Brownley; Chateau Chantal

Tabone Vineyards

A small, welcoming stop known for fruit-forward whites. The Pinot Gris and unoaked Chardonnay are bright and fresh — good palate cleansers between richer stops on the trail.

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

  • 📍 2896 Bowers Harbor Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
  • 🌐 bowersharbor.com
  • 🐾 Dogs welcome on leash

Originally a horse farm, the tasting room retains its rustic charm. Bring a picnic, grab a bottle of their red blend, and settle in — the relaxed pace here is a nice contrast to the more polished stops on the trail.

Bonobo Winery

Locally owned by Traverse City natives, Bonobo focuses on wine and food pairings in a genuinely beautiful setting. The eggplant small plate and Pots de Crème are worth ordering.

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

  • 📍 3309 Blue Water Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
  • 🌐 brysestate.com
  • ♿ ADA-compliant spaces and parking
  • 🐾 Dogs welcome [VERIFY current policy]

One of my favorite stops on Old Mission for both wine and atmosphere. The Lawn Bar — Adirondack chairs, vineyard views, the rosé — is as good a wine afternoon as Michigan offers. Reservations recommended in summer.

Chateau Grand Traverse

  • 📍 12239 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
  • 🌐 cgtwines.com
  • ♿ Accessible tasting room, bar, and parking

A Michigan wine pioneer and a year-round destination. Their dry Riesling is the benchmark for what Michigan Riesling can be, and the charcuterie boards are reliably good. A strong choice if you’re only doing one stop on Old Mission.

Peninsula Cellars

Located in a renovated one-room schoolhouse right along the trail — a fun stop with a friendly vibe and a solid lineup of reds and whites. Easy to add to any Old Mission itinerary.

Hawthorne Vineyards

A more secluded tasting room with peaceful lake views and a quieter pace than some of the bigger stops on the peninsula. Their sparkling brut rosé is excellent.

Mari Vineyards

Inspired by Italian winemaking tradition, Mari grows varieties that rarely thrive in northern Michigan using an innovative greenhouse technique. The underground barrel room is the most visually striking tasting space on the peninsula.

Grapevines on Old Mission Peninsula winery in Traverse City Michigan

Leelanau Peninsula Wineries

The Leelanau Peninsula is a larger wine region than Old Mission — 25+ wineries spread across three organized loops. The Sleeping Bear Loop runs along the western shores of Lake Leelanau through Glen Arbor. The Northern Peninsula Loop stretches from Leland through Suttons Bay to Omena. The Grand Traverse Bay Loop runs from Suttons Bay south along West Bay back toward Traverse City. Plan for a full day on Leelanau, or dedicate one loop per visit.

Black Star Farms

The most complete wine destination on Leelanau — winery, inn, café, distillery, and trails all on one estate, 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The Arcturos Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are standouts. Black Star also has a second location on Old Mission Peninsula.

Rove Estate Vineyard & Winery

  • 📍 7007 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684
  • 🌐 roveestate.com

Sits at the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula with views to match. Handcrafted, small-batch wines — the dry rosé is a standout. Worth the drive for the combination of elevation, views, and quality.

Verterra Winery

Two locations — the Leland tasting room is walkable from Fishtown, and The Ridge at Verterra outside of town is worth the short drive for the views. Sparkling wines are the specialty here, particularly the Pinot Blanc.

Bel Lago Winery

  • 📍 10488 E Revold Rd, Cedar, MI 49621
  • 🌐 bellago.com
  • ♿ Accessible facilities [VERIFY current status]

Panoramic views of both Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan from a single spot. Their Auxerrois is a fun surprise for anyone who hasn’t encountered the variety before, and the Pinot Noirs are consistently well-made.

Friends enjoying wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City Michigan

Shady Lane Cellars

Elegant without being precious. The Brio red blend is a local favorite, and the patio is one of the most relaxed on the peninsula. A reliable stop that rewards repeat visitors.

Mawby Sparkling Wines

  • 📍 4519 Elm Valley Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
  • 🌐 mawby.wine

Mawby does one thing: sparkling wine. They do it as well as anyone in Michigan. Come for the bubbly, stay for the views and the whitefish pâté. A Leelanau must-stop for sparkling wine lovers.

45 North Vineyard & Winery

  • 📍 8580 E Horn Rd, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
  • 🌐 fortyfivenorth.com
  • 🐾 Dogs welcome [VERIFY current policy]

Family-friendly and relaxed, surrounded by hiking trails. Good variety of reds, whites, and ciders in a setting that feels authentically Up North Michigan rather than curated wine country.

Good Harbor Vineyards

  • 📍 34 S Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
  • 🌐 goodharbor.com

Approachable and unpretentious. Their Cherry Wine with mulling spices is a seasonal favorite worth picking up for the drive home.

More Leelanau Peninsula Wineries

The Leelanau Peninsula has more wineries than any single post can cover in depth. These are additional stops worth exploring as you move through the three loops — confirm current hours and addresses directly before visiting, as seasonal schedules vary significantly.

Grapevines at sunset at a Traverse City winery on the Leelanau Peninsula Michigan

Traverse City Wine Tours

If you’re visiting for a bachelorette party, a couples’ trip, or simply want to taste without managing the driving, Traverse City has several well-established tour operators covering both peninsulas.

  • Grand Traverse Tours — Public and private group tours on both trails in Mercedes shuttles or Escalades. gtwinetours.com
  • Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours — Custom itineraries, flexible group sizes, pickup service. wineandbeertours.com
  • Old Mission Tours — Specializes in winery, brewery, and distillery stops on Old Mission Peninsula specifically. oldmissiontours.com
  • Wine Country Limo & Trolley — The only operator with its own vineyard. Limo coach or classic trolley options. winecountrytc.com
  • Magic Shuttle Bus — Public join-in tours starting at $99/person; picks up from downtown Traverse City. Good option for solo travelers or small groups. magicshuttlebus.com

ADA Accessibility

Accessibility varies by winery — the three with the most confirmed accessible facilities are Chateau Grand Traverse (accessible tasting room, bar, and parking), Brys Estate (ADA-compliant spaces and parking), and Bel Lago (accessible facilities — confirm current status before visiting). Downtown Traverse City itself is well-suited for wheelchair users, and many of the related parks and trails have accessible routes. If accessibility is a priority at a specific winery, a quick call before visiting is the most reliable way to confirm current conditions.

Tips for Wine Touring in Traverse City

  • Three to five wineries per day is the realistic ceiling — beyond that the tasting becomes less meaningful
  • Reservations are recommended on summer weekends, especially at Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, and Black Star Farms
  • Pick one peninsula per day if you have multiple days — rushing between Old Mission and Leelanau in one day means not doing either one well
  • Most tasting rooms have small plates or allow you to bring food — eating between pours makes the day significantly better
  • Dress in layers — weather near the water changes fast, especially in spring and fall
  • The Leelanau loop system matters for navigation — download the LP Wines trail map at lpwines.com before you go

For more on what to do while you’re in the area, see our Traverse City travel guide and our guide to the Leelanau Peninsula.

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