Priority Recommendations
- Brys Estate — Old Mission Peninsula — best complete first-visit experience
- Mari Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula — best architecture, cave tour, and ambitious reds
- MAWBY + Big Little Wines — Suttons Bay, Leelanau Peninsula — best two-for-one stop and sparkling wine
- Chateau Fontaine — Lake Leelanau, Leelanau Peninsula — best intimate hospitality
- Shady Lane Cellars — Suttons Bay, Leelanau Peninsula — best balance of wine quality and atmosphere
- Bowers Harbor Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula — most broadly enjoyable
- Nathaniel Rose Wine — Leland, Leelanau Peninsula — best destination for serious dry-red drinkers
- Verterra Winery — Leland, Leelanau Peninsula — strongest Leland/Fishtown wine stop
- Chateau Chantal — Old Mission Peninsula — best iconic panoramic view
- Black Star Farms — Suttons Bay, Leelanau Peninsula — best full estate and family-friendly experience
Ranked Traverse City-area wineries
The stars below are an August 2026 public-review snapshot, principally Google, cross-checked against Tripadvisor and other major review platforms. Because many establishments share the same rounded rating, I broke ties using review volume, consistency across platforms, wine reputation, awards, and whether the winery offers a sufficiently substantial visitor experience.
- ★★★★★ 4.9 — Chateau Fontaine — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Dry Riesling, Woodland White, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and cherry wine.
Why so high: Exceptionally warm, personal tastings and remarkably consistent reviews. This is one of the region’s best combinations of wine quality and hospitality. - ★★★★★ 4.9 — Nathaniel Rose Wine — Leland/Lake Leelanau
Best items: Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir, dry Riesling and small-production red blends.
Why go: One of the strongest serious-wine destinations in the region, especially if you prefer dry reds over sweet fruit wines. - ★★★★★ 4.9 — Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery — Suttons Bay
Best items: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, dry Riesling, sparkling rosé and cherry wine.
Why go: Tiny, intimate, peaceful winery with unusually personal service. The rating is outstanding, although based on fewer reviews than the major estates. - ★★★★★ 4.9 — Boathouse Vineyards — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, rosé, Cabernet Franc and wine slushies when offered.
Why go: Waterfront atmosphere and consistently enthusiastic service reviews. More relaxed and scenic than grand or formal. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Two K Farms Cidery & Winery — Suttons Bay
Best items: Riesling, Pinot Grigio, rosé, Sangria cider, Riesling cider and seasonal estate ciders.
Why go: One of the area’s most reliable destinations for people who want both wine and genuinely excellent hard cider. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — MAWBY — Suttons Bay
Best items: Blanc, Sex, Cremant Classic, Grace rosé, Detroit and Sandpiper.
Why go: The essential Traverse City-area stop for sparkling wine. MAWBY is not merely a scenic tasting room—it has a clear specialty and a strong regional identity. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Verterra Winery — Leland
Best items: Dry Riesling, Reserve Red, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir rosé and Chaos sparkling wine.
Why go: Nationally respected wines and a convenient tasting room near Fishtown. Recent professional coverage has placed Verterra among the peninsula’s most accomplished producers. Forbes’ Leelanau wine assessment - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Amoritas Vineyards — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Dry Riesling, Hail Mary sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and rosé.
Why go: Small-production, estate-focused winery with highly attentive tastings and very good cool-climate whites. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Soul Squeeze Cellars — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, dry Riesling and sparkling wine.
Why go: Modern, polished and increasingly recognized for serious estate-grown wines. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — BluStone Vineyards — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Ad-Lib red blend, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, dry Riesling and Pinot Grigio.
Why go: Strong wine, contemporary tasting room and an elevated vineyard view without the enormous crowds of Old Mission’s biggest estates. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Green Bird Organic Cellars & Farm — Northport
Best items: Farmhouse cider, Dunegrass, pear cider, estate white wines and seasonal mead.
Why go: Best choice for organic farming, rustic atmosphere, cider and small-batch experimentation. - ★★★★★ 4.8 — Gilchrist Farm Winery — Suttons Bay
Best items: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, rosé and estate-grown seasonal releases.
Why go: Small, quiet and personal. Its public score is excellent, but its review base is considerably smaller than MAWBY’s, Mari’s or Brys Estate’s. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Signature rosé, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Reserve, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and the charcuterie board.
Why go: My highest-priority choice for a first-time visitor who wants the complete package: polished wines, vineyard views, substantial grounds and the Secret Garden. Brys has also accumulated major regional awards; one sommelier specifically singled out its Merlot Reserve. Brys Estate profile and awards - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Bowers Harbor Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Otis White, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Appletage dessert cider and cider flights.
Why go: Perhaps the most broadly likable tasting experience on Old Mission—beautiful but informal, with strong wine, cider, outdoor seating and excellent hospitality. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Shady Lane Cellars — Suttons Bay
Best items: Blaufränkisch, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, dry Riesling and sparkling wine.
Why go: One of the region’s best choices for knowledgeable wine drinkers. The stone tasting room, outdoor setting and less-commercial atmosphere are major advantages. These varietals are also repeatedly highlighted by experienced visitors. Independent Shady Lane recommendations - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Mari Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Row 7 red blend, Troglodyte Rosso, Cabernet Franc, dry Riesling, Grüner Veltliner and the cave tour.
Why go: The most visually impressive winery around Traverse City and one of the better places for ambitious dry reds. The cave tour is arguably the region’s best winery tour. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Rove Winery at Gallagher Estate — Leelanau/Traverse City
Best items: Select Harvest Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, rosé and estate cider.
Why go: One of the county’s highest vineyard viewpoints, a lively patio and enough wine/cider variety to satisfy mixed groups. Rove reports more than 50 state and international accolades. Rove Winery - ★★★★★ 4.7 — 45 North Vineyard & Winery — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, dry Riesling, bubbly rosé and cider.
Why go: Strong all-around winery with hiking and skiing trails, an attractive tasting room and a good balance between serious wine and approachable hospitality. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Dune Bird Winery — Northport
Best items: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, rosé, Cabernet Franc and the espresso/wine combinations.
Why go: Relaxed, modern and particularly good for groups that include coffee drinkers or less-serious wine visitors. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Aurora Cellars — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Brut rosé, Blaufränkisch, dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer and sparkling wine.
Why go: Romantic estate, polished service and some of the better sparkling and aromatic white wines on Leelanau. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery — Cedar/Lake Leelanau
Best items: Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio and cherry wine.
Why go: Among the peninsula’s most interesting growers, with mature vines, unusual varietals and better-than-average reds. Local wine enthusiasts frequently single out its reds and cherry wine. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Big Little Wines — Suttons Bay
Best items: C-3 Pinot, Tire Swing, Crayfish, Treehouse and Dune Climb Sauvignon Blanc.
Why go: Creative, modern, small-production wines. It shares a property with MAWBY, making this an unusually efficient two-producer stop. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Bos Wine — Elk Rapids
Best items: Riesling, Pinot Gris, sparkling wine and limited biodynamic releases.
Why go: A more wine-geek-oriented choice led by respected winemaker David Bos. It is outside the two principal peninsulas but belongs in the broader Traverse City wine conversation. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Left Foot Charley — Traverse City
Best items: Island View Pinot Blanc, Missing Spire Riesling, Murmur, Blaufränkisch and Cinnamon Girl cider.
Why go: The best urban winery option, located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Excellent if you want serious local wine without driving either peninsula. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Brengman Brothers/Folklor Wine & Cider — Leelanau Peninsula
Best items: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine and pét-nat-style releases.
Why go: Particularly attractive to natural-wine and minimal-intervention drinkers. Confirm the current tasting-room identity and hours before going because branding and operations have evolved. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay — Suttons Bay
Best items: Arcturos dry Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Sirius raspberry dessert wine and Spirit of Apple brandy.
Why go: A full destination—winery, distillery, inn, restaurant, trails and farm animals. Excellent for families or a longer stay, although less intimate than the tiny producers. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Chateau Chantal — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Nice red blend and cherry port.
Why go: The peninsula’s iconic panoramic view, plus lodging and special dinners. This is a must for scenery even if wine alone is your principal criterion. - ★★★★★ 4.7 — Chateau Grand Traverse — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Whole Cluster Riesling, Dry Riesling, Late Harvest Riesling, Gamay Noir and Cherry Riesling.
Why go: One of the foundational estates of northern Michigan wine and arguably the safest Riesling-focused recommendation. It offers both walk-in and barrel-room tasting experiences. Chateau Grand Traverse - ★★★★★ 4.7 — French Valley Vineyard — Cedar
Best items: Pinot Grigio, Riesling, cherry wine, cider and wood-fired pizza when available.
Why go: Casual, inexpensive and group-friendly, with food and entertainment frequently playing as large a role as the wine. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Tabone Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Bubbly Riesling, estate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, red blends and cherry wine.
Why go: Smaller and more personal than several neighboring estates, with approachable wines and friendly service. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Hawthorne Vineyards — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, dry Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
Why go: Quiet, secluded and scenic. A smart alternative when the northern end of Old Mission is congested. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Peninsula Cellars — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Detention, Homework, Old School Red, Manigold Gewürztraminer and late-harvest Riesling.
Why go: Memorable schoolhouse tasting room, playful labels and one of the most approachable stops for sweeter-wine drinkers. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Bonobo Winery — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, sparkling rosé and small plates.
Why go: Stylish architecture, bay views and a social, upscale atmosphere. Better for a beautiful afternoon with food than for bargain tasting. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Good Harbor Vineyards — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Fishtown White, Trillium, dry Riesling, Pinot Grigio and cherry wine.
Why go: Friendly, unpretentious and generally good value. A dependable source of classic Leelanau whites. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Laurentide Winery — Lake Leelanau
Best items: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meritage-style red blends.
Why go: Geology-driven identity and interesting dry wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and reds. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Ciccone Vineyard & Winery — Suttons Bay
Best items: Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Ciccone red blend.
Why go: Attractive estate and Italian-influenced wines. Public reactions to the wine are somewhat less consistent than to the setting and hospitality. - ★★★★★ 4.6 — Black Star Farms, Old Mission — Old Mission Peninsula
Best items: Arcturos Riesling, Pinot Noir, rosé, fruit brandies and rotating tasting-room exclusives.
Why go: Convenient satellite location with a broad catalog. The Suttons Bay estate is the more complete Black Star experience. - ★★★★★ 4.5 — Leelanau Cellars — Omena
Best items: Witches Brew, Winter White, Great Lakes Red, Tall Ship Chardonnay and Lakeshore Collection Riesling.
Why go: Gorgeous waterfront tasting room, extremely accessible wines and generally affordable bottles. Best for sweet-wine drinkers and casual groups. - ★★★★★ 4.5 — Cherry Republic Winery — Glen Arbor
Best items: Cherry Republic House Red, cherry rosé, cherry mead, cherry hard cider and cherry-port-style dessert wine.
Why go: A fun northern Michigan institution and an excellent stop for cherry products—but not a first-priority destination for traditional grape-wine enthusiasts. - ★★★★★ 4.5 — Willow Vineyards — Suttons Bay area
Best items: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and dry Riesling.
Why go: Historically known for one of Leelanau’s loveliest West Bay views. Verify current public tasting availability before planning around it.