Best Leelanau Peninsula Wineries: A Guide to All Three Wine Trail Loops

Researched and written by BG Vance. Last updated October 19, 2026. Hours, tasting fees, trail membership and event dates change often, so check each winery’s website or social page before you go.

The Leelanau Peninsula is Michigan’s biggest concentration of wineries, with more than 20 tasting rooms spread across 30 miles of vineyards, orchards and Lake Michigan shoreline just north and west of Traverse City. That is great news for wine lovers and slightly overwhelming for first-timers. This guide sorts the wineries by trail loop and by town, tells you what each one is actually known for, and covers the practical stuff: events happening this fall, where to stay, how to get around without driving, and which stops work best for dogs, kids and sunsets.

The Best Leelanau Peninsula Wineries at a Glance

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Country: What to Know First

• How many wineries: The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail counts about two dozen member wineries (sources range from 23 to 25), and a handful of independents operate outside the trail. Membership changes from year to year.
• A federally recognized wine region: The Leelanau Peninsula became a federally approved American Viticultural Area in 1982, one of Michigan’s five AVAs.
• The 45th parallel: The peninsula sits at the same latitude as Bordeaux and Piedmont. Lake Michigan moderates winter lows and spring frost, which is what makes cool-climate grapes work here. 45 North Vineyard even has a “Wine on the Line” sign marking the parallel in its vineyard.
• Michigan’s first wine trail: The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association created the state’s first wine trail.
• Grapes to expect: Riesling is among the most widely planted grapes, along with Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. You will also find Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Blaufränkisch and cherry wine.
• Pioneers: Northern Michigan’s modern wine industry started on the peninsula in 1970 when Bernie Rink planted Boskydel Vineyard. Leelanau Cellars opened in 1974 and Good Harbor in 1980.

The Three Leelanau Wine Trail Loops

The trail is organized into three loops so you can cover a few wineries in a day without crisscrossing the peninsula. The loop lines are a guideline, not a rule, and a few wineries sit near the boundaries.

Wineries by town: Suttons Bay has Black Star Farms, Mawby, Shady Lane, Two K Farms and Gilchrist. Lake Leelanau has the largest cluster, including Aurora, 45 North, Blustone, Boathouse, Good Harbor, Chateau Fontaine and Laurentide. Leland has Verterra’s downtown tasting room. Omena has Leelanau Cellars. Northport has Green Bird, Dune Bird and The Ridge at Verterra. Glen Arbor has Cherry Republic Winery and Glen Arbor Wines. Rove and Brengman are just outside Traverse City.

Grand Traverse Bay Loop Wineries

Rove Estate

Six miles from downtown Traverse City, Rove is a fifth-generation family farm on one of the highest points in Leelanau County, so the views stretch in every direction. It makes small-batch, sustainably farmed wines, with Sauvignon Blanc as the flagship and Cabernet Franc and Merlot as the reds, plus a couple of hard ciders. The Rove Point Trail behind the tasting room is a short hike for fall color and a snowshoe route in winter. Summer Friday evenings feature live music on the patio.

Address: 7007 E. Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684

Website: Rove Estate

Phone Number: 231-421-7001

Brengman Family Wines

Brengman started planting vineyards in 2004 and is best known for Gewürztraminer. The reason to go is the on-site restaurant, Café Exalt, with a seasonal menu that goes well beyond winery snacks. It is the best choice if you want a real meal in the middle of a tasting day.

Address: 9720 S Center Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684

Website: Brengman Family Wines

Phone Number: 231-421-5611

Shady Lane Cellars

A boutique winery built around a 100-year-old fieldstone cottage, with hammocks in the trees and an outdoor tasting bar. It is certified under Michigan’s sustainable viticulture program, and known for Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The paved Traverse Area Recreation Trail passes close by, so it works for cyclists.

Address: 9580 Shady Lane, Suttons Bay, MI49562

Website: Shady Lane Cellars

Phone Number: 231-947-8865

Mawby

Mawby has been making sparkling wine on the peninsula for about 50 years and produces more than 30 bottlings of sparkling wine, cider and spritzers using a second-fermentation method rather than added carbonation. It is a few minutes from Shady Lane, so the two pair well. A caveat: some sources list Mawby as a trail member and others describe it as independent, so check the trail map if membership matters to you.

Address: 4519 S. Elm Valley Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49652

Website: Mawby Vineyards & Winery

Phone Number: 231-271-3522

Two K Farms

Two K is a cider-first stop with a small vineyard and a farmhouse tasting room. The estate-apple ice ciders are the standout, and the covered front porch looks out over West Grand Traverse Bay. There is a lawn for games and a fire pit when it turns cold. It is on West Bay Shore Drive in Suttons Bay.

Address: 3890 SW Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49652

Website: Two K Farms

Phone Number: 231-866-4241

Black Star Farms

Black Star is the flagship stop for visitors who want everything in one place: winery, distillery, farm, restaurant and the Inn at Black Star Farms. Its A Capella ice wine is a signature bottle, and the estate also makes fruit brandies and fortified dessert wines. The inn was named the No. 1 wine country hotel in the U.S. in USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Fall brings Fido Fest, a dog-themed event with an agility course and costume contest.

Address: 10844 E. Revold Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49652

Website: Black Star Farms

Phone Number: 231-944-1270

Gilchrist Farm Winery

Gilchrist is a farm-to-table winery and restaurant in a restored farmhouse in downtown Suttons Bay, with a deli case that makes it an easy place to grab picnic supplies. It is a good fit if you want lunch and a short tasting in town rather than a full vineyard day.

Address: 417 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Website: Gilchrist Farm Winery

Phone: 231-916-3902

Willow Vineyards

Established in 1992, Willow Vineyards offers 12 acres of vineyards with a variety of vines. The winery located in Suttons Bay has a tasting room where you can sample their wines.

Address: 10702 E. Hilltop Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49652

Website: Willow Vineyards

Phone Number: 231-271-4810

Other Suttons Bay tasting rooms to check before you go: Ciccone Vineyard has appeared on older Leelanau trail maps. Currently listed as temporarily closed. Confirm that they are open and still part of the trail before building a stop around them.

Sleeping Bear Loop and Lake Leelanau Wineries

The Lake Leelanau area has the densest cluster of tasting rooms on the peninsula. Several are only a mile or two apart, so it is the easiest area to cover on foot, bike or a short drive.

Aurora Cellars

A boutique, family-run winery on a hilltop with a European-style tasting room, a patio overlooking rolling hills and locally sourced snacks. It is known for dry reds like Cabernet Franc and Blaufränkisch, plus a Brut Rosé. Aurora also rents a renovated 19th-century farmhouse for overnight stays.

Address: 7788 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Aurora Cellars

Phone Number: 231-994-3188

45 North Vineyard & Winery

A post-and-beam barn with a western theme, a stone fireplace and saddle bar stools. 45 North is known for Riesling and unoaked Chardonnay, and its ciders come in cans for picnics. There is a bocce court, the “Wine on the Line” photo spot on the 45th parallel and a three-mile trail through the vineyards that is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. It sits almost next door to Aurora.

Address: 8580 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: 45 North Vineyard & Winery

Phone Number: 231-271-9463

Blustone Vineyards

Set on 40 acres just off M-204 and named for the rare “Leland Blue” stones found on local beaches, Blustone has a contemporary hilltop tasting room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a patio with vineyard and orchard views. Guided tastings are popular, and the winery has shifted toward reservations, so book ahead.

Address: 780 N. Sylt Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Blustone Vineyards

Phone Number: 231-256-0146

Boathouse Vineyards

The tasting room sits on the Narrows, the channel between North and South Lake Leelanau, and boaters can dock right outside. It specializes in bright whites and makes several reds. The covered porch is heated for cooler weather.

Address: 115 N. St. Mary’s Street, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Boathouse Vineyards

Phone Number: 231-256-7115

Good Harbor Vineyards

A laid-back estate winery making affordable, all-Michigan-fruit wines. Fishtown White, a dry blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, is the local favorite, and Good Harbor is one of the few peninsula wineries that sells boxed wine. In winter, look for the mulled cherry wine.

Address: 34 S. Manitou Trail (M22), Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Good Harbor Vineyards

Phone Number: 231-256-7165

Chateau Fontaine

A family winery founded in the 1970s on a former potato farm, with 27 acres of grapes and a French-style focus. Pinot Gris and Riesling lead, with rarer wines like Auxerrois and Grüner Veltliner. The tasting room has been renovated, and the vine-covered patio has live music on summer evenings. Its Chardonnay, garlic and herb cheese ball is a local legend. Dogs are welcome outside on a leash.

Address: 2290 S. French Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Chateau Fontaine

Phone Number: 231-256-0000

Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery

The name means “beautiful lake” in Italian. Bel Lago sits on a hillside above Lake Leelanau with a garden-lined porch and patio, flatbread pizzas and nine hard ciders. Winemakers lean toward reds, so Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and red blends are the stars. Call ahead, because the indoor tasting room has been in renovation.

Address: 6530 S. Lake Shore Drive, Cedar, MI 49621

Website: Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery

Phone Number: 231-228-4800

Laurentide Winery

A small estate winery named for the ice sheet that shaped the region, with vines planted in 2006 and a tasting room that opened in 2012. It sits near 900 feet of elevation about a mile from Lake Michigan, and is known for dry whites and reds, with cheese flights in the tasting room.

Address: 56 S. French Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Laurentide Winery

Phone Number: 231-994-2147

Amoritas Vineyards

A family-run estate winery in Lake Leelanau focused on estate-grown white wines, with views over rolling hills and a hard apple cider on the menu.

Address: 6701 E Duck Lake Rd, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Website: Amoritas Vineyards

Phone Number: 231-944-2300

French Valley Vineyard

French Valley makes wines inspired by France just north of Cedar, with a bistro on the property and a tasting room in downtown Suttons Bay. Check the winery’s website for current locations and hours, because it has moved tasting rooms in the past.

Address: 3655 S. French Road, Cedar, MI 49621

Website: French Valley Vineyard

Phone Number: 231-228-2616

Cherry Republic Winery and Glen Arbor Wines

In downtown Glen Arbor, Cherry Republic Winery makes cherry wines from local orchards, from Balaton cherry wine to cherry ice wine, and sells cherry sodas for kids. A few doors away, Glen Arbor Wines is a tasting room with about ten locally made wines and a backyard with bocce and fire pits. Both are an easy add-on to a day at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Address: 6026 S. Lake Street, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Website: Cherry Republic

Phone Number: 231-334-3150

Northern Loop Wineries: Omena, Leland and Northport

Leelanau Cellars

One of the peninsula’s pioneers, founded in 1974 by the Jacobson family and still family owned, with a waterfront tasting room on Omena Bay. Its list runs to more than 50 wines, with cherry, blueberry and apple fruit wines and a fall tradition called Witches Brew, a spiced wine sold in red, apple and pumpkin versions. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and canned wines are available for the beach or boat.

Address: 5019 N.W. Bayshore Drive (M22), Omena, MI 49674

Website: Leelanau Wine Cellars

Phone Number: 231-386-5201

Verterra Winery

Verterra’s original tasting room is in a brick building in downtown Leland near the river, a short walk from Fishtown. It pours estate wines and ciders on tap. The Ridge at Verterra, its vineyard property a few minutes north in Northport, has some of the best views on the peninsula but also hosts weddings, so check the hours before you drive out. The cherry-raspberry port, Cherraz, is the dessert pick.

Address: 103 E. River Street, Leland, MI 49654

Website: Verterra Winery

Phone Number: 231-256-2115

Dune Bird Winery

One of the newest additions to the trail, a boutique winery on hillside vineyards that is built to welcome families. Kids get Dune Bird Boxes with games and crayons, a playset and a sandbox, and there is a craft espresso bar for non-wine drinkers. In summer the winery uses Indian Runner ducks for natural pest control, and a rosé called Pink Plover raises money for piping plover conservation at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Address: 5620 N. Manitou Trail, Northport, MI 49670

Website: Dune Bird Winery

Phone Number: 231-613-4100

Green Bird Organic Cellars & Farm

The farthest winery from Traverse City on the trail, and a good one for an off-the-beaten-path stop. Green Bird farms organically, makes small-batch wines and heirloom-apple ciders, and keeps goats and sheep you can visit. Look for the apple lavender wine.

Address: 9825 Engles Road, Northport, MI 49670

Website: Green Bird Organic Cellars & Farms

Phone Number: 231-386-5636

Silver Leaf Vineyard & Winery

A small, family-run vineyard and tasting room near Suttons Bay with small-batch wines, including cherry wine and two miles of hiking trails on the property. Check its website for the current address and hours.

What to Drink on the Leelanau Peninsula

• Riesling: Order it dry or off-dry, depending on how sweet you like it, and ask the tasting room which style you are pouring.
• Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio: Crisp and food-friendly. Shady Lane and Chateau Fontaine lean into Pinot Gris.
• Gewürztraminer: Brengman is a good place to try the aromatic style that does well in the cool climate.
• Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and red blends: The reds to look for. Aurora, Bel Lago, Rove and Blustone all make a case for Michigan red.
• Sparkling wine: Mawby is the specialist, and several other wineries make a sparkling or pét-nat.
• Cider: Two K, 45 North, Bel Lago, Green Bird and Chateau Fontaine all make hard cider. Two K’s ice ciders are a dessert in a glass.
• Cherry wine: Cherry Republic, Verterra, Silver Leaf and Good Harbor’s mulled version cover everything from dry to dessert.

Leelanau Wine Trail Events: What Is Happening Now and Next

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail runs a calendar of ticketed events that let you taste across multiple wineries on one pass. These are the ones on the 2026 calendar, with the dates available as of this writing.

• Hunt for the Reds of October (October 1–31, 2026): A month-long, red-focused event. Ticket holders get a red wine pour chosen by each winemaker plus $10 in “cork cash” to spend at participating wineries. Reservations are recommended for larger groups.
• Toast the Season (November 6–8 and 13–15, 2026): An end-of-season food and wine event, paired with the Lights over Leelanau holiday display at participating wineries.
• Earlier in the year: The 2026 calendar also included Wine & Cheese in March (a 2-ounce pour paired with artisan cheese at each stop, $30 with a glass and $10 cork cash), Spring Into Summer in late May and early June, and LP Harvest Club in September ($75 per person, with wine-club-style perks at each participating winery). Winter has also included Sips & Soups.

Dates and prices change each year, so check for next year’s calendar.

Planning Your Leelanau Wine Tasting

• Pick one loop per day. Three to four wineries is a full day, and the peninsula is bigger than it looks on a map.
• Expect tasting fees. Prices vary by winery. Chateau Fontaine, for example, charges by the pour. Ask what is included, and whether the fee applies to a bottle purchase.
• Reserve when you can. Blustone has shifted toward reservations, groups should call ahead, and The Ridge at Verterra closes for private events. Hours shift by season, and some wineries close a day or two a week in the off-season.
• Skip the driving. Grand Traverse Tours, Traverse Bay Tours, Magic Shuttle Bus and Movie Stars Wine Tours all run guided Leelanau wine tours from the Traverse City area. Compare current prices and itineraries before booking.
• Pets and kids vary. Dogs are welcome on patios at Leelanau Cellars and Chateau Fontaine (leashed, outside), and Black Star hosts a dog-themed fall event. Dune Bird is the most kid-focused. Ask before bringing either.
• Add the scenery. The M-22 drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leland’s Fishtown and Suttons Bay’s waterfront are all worth the detour.

Where to Stay Near the Leelanau Wineries

• At a winery: The Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, and the renovated farmhouse at Aurora Cellars in Lake Leelanau.
• On the lake: Fountain Point Resort on Lake Leelanau, a historic family resort with a hotel and cottages.
• Leland and Glen Arbor: The Leland Lodge, close to Fishtown and Verterra’s downtown tasting room, and Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Condos, in the middle of Glen Arbor and near several Sleeping Bear Loop wineries.
• Traverse City: Many wineries are under 30 minutes from town. See our Traverse City guide and our Leelanau Peninsula guide.

Sample Leelanau Winery Itineraries

A half day near Traverse City (Grand Traverse Bay Loop)

Start at Rove for the view, have lunch at Café Exalt at Brengman, then finish with Shady Lane and Mawby, which are only a few minutes apart.

A Lake Leelanau afternoon

Start with Good Harbor or Chateau Fontaine, then Bel Lago, Boathouse on the Narrows, and end at Aurora and 45 North, which are next to each other on Horn Road. Add Blustone if you have booked a reservation.

A Leland and Northport day

Begin at Verterra’s downtown Leland tasting room, walk Fishtown, then head north to Leelanau Cellars on Omena Bay and Green Bird or Dune Bird in Northport. Add The Ridge at Verterra if it is open to the public that day.

A Sleeping Bear combo

Spend the morning at the dunes, then stop at Cherry Republic Winery and Glen Arbor Wines in Glen Arbor, with Good Harbor or Chateau Fontaine on the way back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leelanau Peninsula Wineries

How many wineries are on the Leelanau Peninsula?

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail has about two dozen member wineries, and counts range from 23 to 25 depending on the source and year. A few independent wineries also operate off the trail.

What are the best wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula?

For first-timers, Black Star Farms, Mawby, Shady Lane, Rove, Leelanau Cellars, Aurora and 45 North are strong starting points. For food, add Brengman and Gilchrist. For families, Dune Bird.

What are the best wineries in Suttons Bay?

Black Star Farms, Mawby, Shady Lane, Two K Farms and Gilchrist Farm Winery are the main Suttons Bay stops.

Is there a winery in Leland, Michigan?

Yes. Verterra Winery has its original tasting room in downtown Leland, and a vineyard property called The Ridge a few minutes north in Northport.

Which Leelanau wine trail loop should I do first?

The Grand Traverse Bay Loop is the closest to Traverse City and the easiest to do in a half day. The Sleeping Bear Loop has the most wineries in the smallest area.

What is the best time to visit Leelanau wineries?

Summer for patios and live music, September and October for harvest and fall color, and winter for quieter tasting rooms and events like Sips & Soups. Many tasting rooms stay open year-round.

Do I need reservations for Leelanau wine tasting?

Walk-ins are welcome at many wineries, but some, including Blustone, favor reservations, and groups should always call ahead.

What is the difference between the Leelanau and Old Mission wine trails?

Leelanau is larger, with more than 20 wineries across three loops. Old Mission is a compact, 18-mile peninsula with about ten wineries along a single road. See our guide to the best wineries in Michigan for how they compare.

More Michigan Wine Country Guides

Explore our best wineries in Michigan guide, our Old Mission Peninsula wineries guide and our things to do in Traverse City.

Further Reading

• Northern Michigan: Where to Go, What to See and When to Visit