The Leelanau Peninsula, recognized by USA Today readers as one of the nation’s best regions for those who love wine, is sure to delight all wine lovers from connoisseurs to those who recently developed a palate. The award-winning Wine Trail features remarkable diversity among the 27 wineries with acclaimed varietals to suit every taste. We’ve collected our favorites for you to enjoy over a two day journey.
Day One:
Good Harbor Winery
Head northeast 20 minutes on M22 to beautiful Good Harbor Winery. With a tasting room that is bright and welcoming, you’ll definitely want to spend some time there. Enjoy your wine amidst the flowers on their outdoor garden patio. Their classic tasting flight includes five wines and ciders plus a souvenir glass for only eight dollars. Grab a charcuterie board and sip some wine at this must-visit tasting room, or, even better, their front and backyard outdoor spaces.
Chateau Fontaine Winery
After Good Harbor, head east mere minutes to find Chateau Fontaine Winery. Alongside their Chardonnays and Pinot Gris, they specialize in white grape varieties like Viognier, Pinot Blanc and Grüner Veltliner. Their Pinot Blanc won several awards and is highly regarded amongst the wine community for its complex tropical fruit-forward flavors. Open Monday, Friday & Saturday 12:00-5:00; Saturdays 11:00-5:00. Make sure you plan a visit to their tasting room, located in a quaint cottage nestled in the trees. Or spend a relaxing time on their wonderful, vine-covered patio. Complimentary tastings; $2 for premium pours.
Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery
Another 10 minutes south from Chateau Fontaine is Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery. Bel Lago, or “beautiful lake” in Italian, is a stunning winery named for its remarkable panoramic view of Lake Leelanau. They have dozens of award-winning wines to choose from including Pinots, Chardonnays, and Rieslings. The tasting room is currently closed for renovations, but that shouldn’t stop you from being entranced by the water and vineyard views while you sip outdoors on their beautiful porch Wednesday-Monday 12:00-6:00. Picnics & outside food welcome.
Glen Arbor Wines
End just a minute away from our bed and breakfast at Glen Arbor Wines. This cozy wine tasting room is the perfect finale to your wine journey. Their vintage-style space with an extensive selection of local wines, and wonderful outdoor areas, is the perfect place for a mellow closure to your day. Play a game of bocce ball on their backyard lawn or simply soak up the setting rays. Open 1:00-7:00 Friday & Saturday; 1:00-5:00 the rest of the week.
Day Two:
Shady Lane Cellars
Start your second day walking in a charming vineyard on the eastern side of the peninsula! Shady Lane Cellars offers in-depth vineyard tours with their seasoned experts. After your tour, enjoy one of their famous wine and cheese pairings or catch one of their live music gatherings. Bundle up in their warm and inviting tasting room on a rainy afternoon, or take your glass of wine outside on a sunny day and find a tranquil spot to sit back and enjoy the views. One complimentary test, or 5 for $5.
Mawby Vineyards & Winery
As one of the oldest wineries on the Peninsula, your next stop, Mawby Vineyards & Winery, has perfected the art of delicious, complex wines. They specialize in light and bubbly sparkling wines with uniquely named best sellers such as ‘Us,’ ‘Wild,’ and ‘Grace’. In normal years, every visitor is gifted with three complimentary tastes of their signature wines. Flights for $12, then grab a bottle (or two) to bring home for any special occasion or celebration.
Blustone Vineyards
11 minutes north of Mawby Vineyards and Winery is Blustone Vineyards, a gorgeous vineyard spread over 40 acres of land. Head into their tasting room to sample some of their complex wines with a panoramic view of the vineyards. With floor to ceiling windows and open access to the outdoors on warm summer days, you will love drinking in both the wines and the view. Open Thursday-Monday 12:00-5:00.
Aurora Cellars
Five minutes north of Blustone Vineyards, Aurora Cellars is the perfect place to end your day. This boutique winery with Old-World class is a must-visit. Open Thursdays-Sundays 12:00-5:00. The vineyard has the feel of a small family estate nestled in the rolling hills of the Italian countryside. Eat, drink, and relax in style at this final stop of your journey.
Special Vintners‘ Wine Events
Tour the finest wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula and fall in love with this region and it’s wonderful wines.
Rosé All May
The Vintners feature their best rosés. Get your complimentary glass and a pour at any winery you wish for $35 for the entire month. Whichever days you wish to join us, your glass and a map to all the wineries will be waiting.
Spring Sip & Savor Weekend
The first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, wine lovers will be back from all over for the Leelanau Vintners’ Spring Sip & Savor. Bet you’ll love it. This is the perfect girl’s getaway weekend as you taste the best wines on the Peninsula, sample complimentary small plates, and smell flowers newly blooming. A $45 ticket, limited to just 500 so you are not crowded, brings you a customized wine glass, a pour and that small plate treat at each of the participating wineries.
Ask us to reserve tickets for your entire party before they run out. We are happy to recommend tour companies to chauffeur you around, too.
Ready to explore the Leelanau Peninsula’s best wineries? Book a stay at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Cottages in the heart of Glen Arbor and experience Northern Michigan with luxurious and comfortable accommodations.
