You don’t really need an excuse to take a wine tour, but we’ve got some handy anyway.
Winery visits are an affordable and unique way to spend a winter day in Traverse City. Luckily, there are a variety of dynamic, educational, inspiring, and memorable Michigan wine tasting options, whether you’re commemorating a special occasion or simply trying to find a new favorite wine for your next dinner party.
Assemble your tour group, designate a driver (or set up safe transportation), and prepare to pop some corks.
(Fun fact: Michigan is the seventh largest wine producer in the country!)
1. Travel the world without booking a plane ticket.
Two American Viticultural Areas, or wine-producing regions, are in close proximity to Traverse City: the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail. Exploring them means tasting a wide selection of styles and flavors that span the globe while remaining eminently local.
The rolling hills of Leelanau host 24 wineries, including a handful around the scenic, namesake lake. Sip everything from Verterra Winery’s Gewurztraminer to Ciccone Vineyard & Winery’s Malbec (the vineyard was the first to grow the grape in northern Michigan).
The Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail is more compact, with 10 member wineries spread across 19 miles. Cool-climate vintages thrive here, including Hawthorne Vineyards’ Barrel Reserve Chardonnay and Mari Vineyards’ Cabernet Franc.
2. Enjoy a meal while learning how to pair wine and food.
Traverse City wineries offer a lot beyond one-ounce pours during tasting room visits. Many have skilled chefs who create thoughtful tasting menus and pairings to help bring the most flavor from the vineyards’ wines. Chateau Chantal hosts multi-course wine dinners in the summer and fall while also featuring a snackable food menu in the tasting room. Boathouse Vineyards’ waterfront location is perfect for enjoying wine-focused dinners. And Black Star Farms features a three-course Sunday brunch at its picturesque estate (home to more than 20 horses) as well as special winter dinners and holiday offerings.
3. Relax and unwind on a winecation.
Whether a vacation or a staycation, winter wine tours are an ideal way to get out in the colder months and unwind with your spouse, partner, or friends. Both the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas are home to several quaint and charming bed and breakfasts (some at the wineries themselves) and other lodging options that can serve as your basecamp for a weekend of Michigan wine tasting and other outings.
4. Get to know the region while letting someone else take the wheel.
Explore a large swath of the Traverse Wine Coast while letting someone else handle the driving by arranging a tour with a wine guide. Brew Bus, Wonderland Tours, Traverse City Wine Girl, and Wander With Direction offer build-your-own or pre-planned outings for groups of varying sizes. For an extra dose of adventure, join Grand Traverse Bike Tours to pedal to Leelanau hot spots.
5. You can join the party.
Many Traverse City wineries host events throughout the year that take wine tasting to new heights. Live music, cooking classes, special release tastings — it’s all on the calendar. Winter is all about energizing, indoor events, such as trivia nights at Shady Lane Cellars, free Saturday night concerts at Chateau Grand Traverse, and the delicious Mac & Cheese Bake-Off.
Spring and summer shift into new releases, plus Traverse City Uncorked, held every May, the region’s premier vino event. Fall’s beautiful colors are paired with harvest-themed affairs like Corks Over Camo and the Flapjack & Flannel Festival.
Winery tours aren’t just for special occasions (though they are well-suited to birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, and more). Make the most of a Traverse City winter day by filling it with vino. Come celebrate, come learn, and come indulge with a taste of Michigan wines by booking a tour today.
