Your guide to Michigan's best wineries and wine trails

Chandra Fleming, Detroit Free Press
·5 min read

Being home to the Great Lakes brings Michiganders many perks. Freshwater, massive fishing and boating. It also has another perk: Creating ideal conditions for producing wine.

Michigan is a grape-growing state, home to more than 140 wineries that make up the state's $4.9 billion industry.

Most wine grapes grown in Michigan are within a 25-mile radius of Lake Michigan. The lake tempers the air along the shore. That plus lake effect snow help to protect crops from harsh weather.

Michigan has more than 13,000 vineyard acres, with many growing juice grapes, such as Niagara and Concord according to the Michigan.org website. In fact, Michigan grows more Niagara grapes than any other state.

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And almost 4,000 acres are devoted to more than 50 kinds of wine grapes, old-world grapes that result in rieslings, pinot noirs, merlots and pinot grigios, plus hybrids which are a cross between vinifera and native grapes.

The Moersch Hospitality Group, based in Baroda, Michigan, owns some of the largest wineries in southwest Michigan. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail farther north is made up of 15 different wineries in northern Michigan.

The vineyards are a popular tourist destination, especially in the fall. They include:

Southwest Michigan Wineries

Free Run Cellars

Free Run Cellars, an offshoot of Round Barn Winery, offers a tasting experience unique to the southwest Michigan wine region. Tribune Photo/BECKY MALEWITZ
Free Run Cellars, an offshoot of Round Barn Winery, offers a tasting experience unique to the southwest Michigan wine region. Tribune Photo/BECKY MALEWITZ

This location, owned by the Moersch Hospitality Group, is more intimate than others, and visitors can try a variety of white and red wines, like Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé and cocktails like martinis, bourbon and sour whiskey. Small appetizers and snacks are also available, like charcuterie boards, breadsticks, and dips.

10062 Burgoyne Road, Berrien Springs

Round Barn Estate, Round Barn Brewery, and Public House

The estate offers a family-friendly, atmosphere with wine tastings, live music plus a four-bedroom rental on site. Food is also available on-site from Round Barn Brewery and Public House which serves the average American cuisine that consists of pizza, sandwiches, soups and salad. For $50 on Fridays through Sundays, guests can invite up to 12 individuals for a two-hour window, which allows guests access to the daily menu, food trucks, food delivery from the Round Barn Brewery and Public House and a private server. For additional prices, guests can add on a mimosa bar, charcuterie board and a special luxury suite experience. A Thanksgiving trivia night is scheduled for Nov.20 from 2-5 p.m.

10983 Hills Road, Baroda

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant

The fields outside Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant are shown Thursday in Buchanan. Photo by South Bend Tribune
The fields outside Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant are shown Thursday in Buchanan. Photo by South Bend Tribune

Similar to Round Barn with the wine tastings but they offer a vineyard lounge from Friday through Sunday to give guests an upscale wine-tasting experience with 30 different varieties. Guests can also host weddings and private events at this location. They also offer "Shake and Stir Workshops" for guests to learn the art of making cocktails.

185 Mt. Tabor Road, Buchanan

Mt. Taber Trail

This four-mile trail connects Taber Hill and Round Barn wineries. Guests are able to try wines, foods and beer at each trailhead. It's a scenic route while also enjoying the food and drinks the locations have to offer.

Northern Michigan Wineries

2 Lads Winery

The entry to 2 Lads Winery on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City Wednesday, Jan.13, 2021.
The entry to 2 Lads Winery on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City Wednesday, Jan.13, 2021.

This winery offers no reservations and guests are able to order wine flights, glasses of wine and can try a variety of charcuterie boards and packaged foods. They specialize in red and sparkling wines.

16985 Smokey Hollow Road, Traverse City

Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery

Four thousand five hundred grape plants cover thirty-four acres used in the eighty-acre parcel of land at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City on Wednesday May 15, 2013. The winery produces 8,500 cases of wine grown on the property a year.
Four thousand five hundred grape plants cover thirty-four acres used in the eighty-acre parcel of land at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City on Wednesday May 15, 2013. The winery produces 8,500 cases of wine grown on the property a year.

Brys offers a tasting room full of a variety of wines, plus a wine club for guests to get exclusive deals and wines. They have 12 acres of a "Secret Garden" that consists of 6,000 lavender plants, a strawberry patch, a fresh flower garden, a herb garden plus additional plants.

3309 Blue Water Road, Traverse City

Chateau Chantel Winery and Inn

Offers guests a full-on experience with options to book a suite. Wine-tasting, dinners are also available for guests upon reservation. Throughout the season, they will host wine dinners and advanced booking is required. They also offer cooking classes for guests paired with Chateau wines.

15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers multiple wineries throughout Northern Michigan for wine enthusiasts, to get a taste of everything. The following locations are split into three different wine trails.

Sleeping Bear Loop

  1. Amoritas Vineyard: 6701 E. Duck Lake Road, Lake Leelanau

  2. Bel Lago Vineyard: 6530 S. Lake Shore Drive, Cedar

  3. Boathouse Winery: 115 S. St.Marys St., Lake Leelanau

  4. Chateau Fontaine: 2290 S. French Road, Lake Leelanau

  5. Cherry Republic Winery: 6026 South Lake St., Glen Arbor

  6. French Valley Vineyard: 3655 S. French Road, Cedar

  7. Good Harbor Vineyard: 34 S. Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau

  8. Glen Arbor Wines: 5873 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor

Northern Loop

  1. 45 North Vineyard and Winery: 8580 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau

  2. Aurora Cellars: 7788 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau

  3. Dune Bird Winery: 5620 N. Manitou Trail W., Northport

  4. Leelanau Cellars: 10781 E. Cherry Bend Road #1, Traverse City

  5. Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery: 11087 E. Silver Leaf Farm Road, Suttons Bay

  6. Tandem Ciders: 2055 N. Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay

  7. Verterra Winery: 103 River St., Leland

Grand Traverse Bay Loop

Black Star Farms proprietor Sherri Campbell Fenton stands in a field of grapes at her winery, B&B and gourmet restaurant in Suttons Bay on Sept. 16, 2021.
Black Star Farms proprietor Sherri Campbell Fenton stands in a field of grapes at her winery, B&B and gourmet restaurant in Suttons Bay on Sept. 16, 2021.

  1. Black Star Farms: 10844 E. Revold Road, Suttons Bay

  2. Brengman Brothers: 9720 S. Center Highway, Traverse City

  3. Ciccone Vineyard and Winery: 10343 E. Hill Top Road, Suttons Bay

  4. Mawby Sparkling and Biglittle Wine: 4519 S. Elm Valley Road, Suttons Bay

  5. Rove Estate: 7007 E. Traverse Highway, Traverse City

  6. Shady Lane Cellars: 9580 E. Shady Lane, Suttons Bay

  7. Two K Farms: 3872 SW Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay

Petoskey Farms Vineyard and Winery

Offers private events for guests to have their full winery experience, guests are also able to join a winery club where they can taste and pick up different wines. On their 22 acres, they offer a tasting room with a view of a vineyard and a courtyard.

3720 Atkins Road, Petoskey

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's best wineries and wine trails: Your guide