🍷 Old Mission Peninsula

Vibe: Big views, big energy, and “I’m moving here someday” Pinterest-board moments. Distance from downtown: 10–25 minutes (aka Uber-able if needed).

Old Mission Peninsula is where you go when you want to look out at the bay and dramatically whisper, “Is this… Michigan?” It’s stunning, compact, and full of wineries that know exactly how to serve a view with your wine flight.

⭐ Best Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

(aka the ones you’ll text pictures of to your group chat)

🍷 Mari Vineyards

Stone arches. Wine caves. Bold red wines that make you forget you’re not in Italy. Also: if you saw it on “The Curse of Oak Island” — yes, this is the place.

🍷 Chateau Chantal

The views here deserve their own Instagram account. Great sparkling wines, perfect sunset vibes, and they host fun events like seasonal dinners and themed tastings.

🍷 Brys Estate

Part patio heaven, part lavender fantasyland. If you visit in summer, you’ll smell like lavender for four days — which is honestly a perk.

🍷 Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Relaxed, dog-friendly, and usually full of groups having “just one more glass.” Great rosés and super chill energy.

🍷 Chateau Grand Traverse

A Traverse City classic. If Riesling had a home base, this would be it. Clean, consistent, easy-drinking wines.

🍾 Leelanau Peninsula

Vibe: Chill, scenic, a little hippie, a little bougie, and a lot of hidden gems. Distance from downtown: 20–40 minutes depending on where you stop for snacks.

Leelanau Peninsula is where you go when you want a wine adventure without the crowds. It’s bigger, more spread out, and loaded with wineries tucked between forests, orchards, and that stretch of Lake Michigan that looks like the Caribbean if you squint.

⭐ Best Wineries on Leelanau Peninsula

(where you’ll say “we should’ve booked a second day”)

🍷 Black Star Farms (Suttons Bay)

A literal wine estate — tasting room, farm, inn, horses, events, the whole thing. They host epic seasonal parties, wine dinners, and outdoor events that feel like you're living your best vineyard life.

🍷 Aurora Cellars

Romantic, European-inspired, and perfect if you want photos where you look like you’re in a Tuscan wedding.

🍷 45 North Vineyard & Winery

Casual, fun, and known for their outdoor lawn vibes. Excellent for groups. Bonus: live music events in summer are always a blast.

🍷 Bel Lago

Cozy tasting room, gorgeous hillside views, and some surprisingly great reds for Michigan’s climate.

🍷 Blustone Vineyards

Modern, sleek, open, and perfect on a sunny day. Their whites and rosés taste like vacation.

🥂 Old Mission vs. Leelanau: The Showdown

Let’s settle this once and for all:

Choose Old Mission if you want:

✔ Big dramatic views ✔ Close, easy-to-hop wineries ✔ Insta-worthy patios ✔ A higher probability of seeing a bachelorette party doing a wine flight photoshoot

Choose Leelanau if you want:

✔ Fewer crowds ✔ Hidden-gem wineries ✔ Slow, scenic backroads ✔ A wine day that feels like a mini-vacation

Best choice:

Do. Both. One day Old Mission, one day Leelanau. You’ll thank yourself later.

🎉 Seasonal Wine Events Worth Planning Around

Traverse City LOVES an excuse to drink wine in a group. Some fun annual events include:

🍇 Taste the Passion (February) — Wine + chocolate + lots of puffy coats. 🍇 Spring Sip & Savor (May) — Fresh wine releases + spring blooms. 🍇 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival (Summer) — Wine, music, food, vibes. 🍇 Harvest Stompede (Fall) — Yes, you can literally run through vineyards. 🍇 Sips & Soups (Winter) — Cozy, hearty, wine-filled winter fun.

If you go during event weekends, book tastings early or prepare for very enthusiastic crowds.

🗺️ Tips For Surviving (and Thriving) Your Wine Weekend

• Plan 3–4 wineries max per day. Your palate — and your dignity — will thank you.

• Book ahead during summer and fall. This place gets BUSY.

• Bring water. Yes, this is a mom comment. No, you won’t regret it.

• Consider a wine shuttle. Let someone else drive while you live your best life.

• Eat. Preferably more than one charcuterie board.

🍇 Final Sip

Traverse City wine country is fun, beautiful, and just the right amount of chaotic during summer. Whether you’re swirling Riesling on Old Mission or wandering into a tucked-away tasting room in Leelanau, one thing is certain:

You’re going to leave with new favorite wines, new favorite views, and at least one new photo where you look slightly more tipsy than intended.