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Plan Your Visit

Your Michigan Wine Country Trip Starts Here

From a quick afternoon tasting to a week-long wine trail road trip — we'll help you build the perfect itinerary.

Home›Plan Your Visit
Where to Begin
Three Steps to Your Perfect Wine Trip
1
Pick a Region
Michigan vineyard rows
Michigan's wine country stretches from the southwest shore to the Upper Peninsula. Each region has its own character, grape varieties, and vibe. Start with our Regions Guide to find your fit.
2
Choose Your Wineries
Wine and cheese tasting
Browse our directory of 192 wineries — filter by region, type, or grape variety. We recommend 3–5 wineries per day with 45–60 minutes at each stop.
3
Book Your Experience
Friends toasting red wine
Going with a group? Skip the designated driver debate. Several regions offer guided wine tours with pickup and transport. In Traverse City, Traverse City Wine Tours covers both peninsulas.
Curated Itineraries
Ready-Made Routes for Every Kind of Trip
Pick a trip length and we'll map out the rest — including where to taste, eat, and stay.
Afternoon Escape
Weekend Getaway
Week-Long Tour
Chicago Day Trip
Half Day
Old Mission Peninsula
The Classic Afternoon Tasting
The quintessential Traverse City wine experience. Four wineries along M-37, each with bay views and world-class cool-climate wines. Perfect for visitors already in the TC area who have a free afternoon.
4–5 hours
19 miles
4 wineries
12:30 pm
Left Foot Charley (downtown TC)
Urban winery in The Village. Casual vibe, excellent Riesling and pétillant naturel.
2:00 pm
Brys Estate
Hilltop tasting room with panoramic bay views. Try the Naked Chardonnay and Signature Red.
3:30 pm
Mari Vineyards
Underground cellar tour if time allows. Nebbiolo and Cab Franc are the stars.
5:00 pm
Chateau Grand Traverse
End at the granddaddy of Michigan wine. Grab a bottle of their Ice Wine as a souvenir.
Book This Tour in TC View All Old Mission Wineries
2 Days
Old Mission + Leelanau
The Traverse City Weekend
Two full days exploring both peninsulas — Michigan's two premier wine regions. Stay in Traverse City and take a different direction each morning. Covers 8–10 wineries, plus dining and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
2 days
~80 miles total
8–10 wineries
Day 1 AM
Old Mission Peninsula
Drive M-37 north — Brys Estate, Mari Vineyards, 2 Lads, Chateau Chantal. Lunch at the Jolly Pumpkin.
Day 1 PM
Downtown Traverse City
Walk Front Street. Dinner at The Cook's House or Trattoria Stella.
Day 2 AM
Leelanau Peninsula (south)
Black Star Farms, Shady Lane Cellars, Left Foot Charley's Leelanau tasting room.
Day 2 PM
Leelanau Peninsula (north)
L. Mawby for sparkling, Good Harbor Vineyards. Detour to Sleeping Bear Dunes if time allows.
Book This Tour in TC View Leelanau Trail
5–7 Days
Multi-Region Road Trip
The Grand Michigan Wine Tour
The ultimate Michigan wine road trip. Start in the southwest, work your way north through Fennville and Lake Michigan Shore, spend two days in Traverse City, then push up to Petoskey. Ambitious but unforgettable.
5–7 days
~450 miles
20–25 wineries
Days 1–2
Lake Michigan Shore & Fennville
St. Julian, Round Barn, Tabor Hill, Hickory Creek, then north to Fenn Valley and Virtue Cider. Stay in St. Joseph or Saugatuck.
Days 3–4
Traverse City — Both Peninsulas
Old Mission one day, Leelanau the next. This is the heart of Michigan wine country. Stay in TC.
Day 5
Sleeping Bear Dunes + Northport
Morning at the dunes, afternoon tastings at Tandem Ciders and the northern Leelanau wineries.
Days 6–7
Petoskey Wine Region
Drive the Tunnel of Trees. Hit Mackinaw Trail, Petoskey Farms, Pond Hill Farm. Finish in Harbor Springs.
Explore All 7 Trails Browse All 192 Wineries
Day Trip
Lake Michigan Shore
The Chicago Escape
Southwest Michigan's wine country is just 90 minutes from downtown Chicago — making it the closest wine region to the Windy City. This route hits the highlights of the Lake Michigan Shore trail with time for a beach stop in St. Joseph.
Full day
90 min from Chicago
4–5 wineries
10:30 am
Round Barn Winery
Arrive after the drive. Iconic round barn, wine + spirits + brewery under one roof.
12:00 pm
Tabor Hill
Lunch at the restaurant with vineyard views. Try the Grand Mark Brut sparkling.
2:00 pm
Hickory Creek Winery
Small-batch, estate wines. Award-winning Cab Franc and Pinot Noir.
3:30 pm
Domaine Berrien Cellars
Intimate tasting room with a focus on dry reds. Great Cabernet Franc.
5:00 pm
Silver Beach, St. Joseph
Sunset on the beach before the drive back. Grab dinner at Clementine's.
View Lake Michigan Shore Trail All Southwest Wineries
Seasonal Guide
When to Visit
Michigan wine country transforms with the seasons. Each one offers a different experience.
Spring
April – May
Bud break in the vineyards, fewer crowds, and spring release events. Wildflowers along M-22. Many wineries debut new vintages.
Peak Season
Summer
June – August
Long days, outdoor patios, live music at wineries, and Lake Michigan beaches between tastings. Book ahead — this is prime time.
Harvest
Fall
September – November
Harvest season — the most exciting time in wine country. Stunning fall color, grape stomps, harvest dinners, and the energy of the crush.
Winter
December – March
Cozy tasting rooms, holiday events, and zero crowds. Many wineries stay open year-round. The Leelanau and Old Mission winter wine tours are local favorites.
Logistics
Know Before You Go
✈️
Getting There
Fly into Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) for northern regions, or Kalamazoo (AZO) / Chicago (ORD/MDW) for southwest Michigan. Detroit Metro (DTW) works for southeast wineries.
🚗
Getting Around
A car is essential — wine country is rural. For safe tasting, book a guided wine tour with transport (available in the Traverse City area), use ride-share (limited in rural areas), or designate a driver.
🏨
Where to Stay
Traverse City is the hub for northern wine country, with hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. Chateau Chantal and Black Star Farms offer on-site winery lodging. St. Joseph for southwest.
🍽️
Food & Dining
Many wineries offer food pairings, charcuterie, or full restaurants. In TC, The Cook's House, Trattoria Stella, and Farm Club are standouts. Pack a picnic for vineyard stops.
💰
Tasting Fees
Expect $10–$25 per tasting, often waived with a bottle purchase. Some wineries require reservations, especially for groups of 6+. Wine club members usually taste free.
📦
Shipping Wine Home
Most wineries ship to many US states. Michigan allows direct shipping to 47 states. Buy a case and have it waiting at home — saves your luggage space.
Insider Tips
What the Locals Know
🕐 Start early, head north
Tasting rooms fill up by 2pm in summer. Starting at 11am means shorter waits and more personal attention from staff.
💧 Hydrate between stops
Bring water and snacks. Even "sip and spit" visits add up over 4–5 wineries. Pace yourself — this isn't a race.
📅 Midweek is magic
Tuesday through Thursday offers the best experience — no crowds, more time with winemakers, and easier reservations.
🗣️ Talk to the staff
Tasting room staff know things the website doesn't. Ask about limited releases, back-vintage bottles, and off-menu pours.
🍇 Go beyond Riesling
Riesling is Michigan's calling card, but Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines are where the real surprises hide.
🌅 Save the best view for last
End your day at a winery with a sunset patio — Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, and Black Star Farms are all legendary for golden hour.

Don't Want to Drive? Book a Guided Tour.

We partner with local tour operators across Michigan wine country so you can taste without worrying about the road.

✦ Featured Partner
Traverse City Wine Tours
Old Mission & Leelanau Peninsulas. Fully guided tastings with hotel pickup, expert guides, and behind-the-scenes cellar access. Private tours available.
Book a Tour →
Southwest Michigan
Partner Coming Soon
Lake Michigan Shore & Fennville regions. We're working with local operators to bring guided tours to southwest Michigan wine country.
Interested in partnering? Get in touch →
Northern Michigan
Partner Coming Soon
Petoskey Wine Region & Tip of the Mitt. Guided experiences through Michigan's newest and most adventurous wine region.
Interested in partnering? Get in touch →

Are you a tour operator in Michigan wine country? Become a partner →

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