From the northern peninsulas of Traverse City to the rolling vineyards of Southwest Michigan — each wine region offers a unique terroir, shaped by the Great Lakes and millions of years of glacial history.
Michigan sits at the same latitude as Bordeaux and Piedmont. The Great Lakes create a unique microclimate — moderating temperatures, extending growing seasons, and producing wines with vibrant acidity and complexity that surprise even the most seasoned oenophiles.
Each AVA has its own story — distinct soils, climate, grape varieties, and winemaking character.
A slender 18-mile finger of land stretching into Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission sits directly on the 45th parallel. Founded in 1974 with Chateau Grand Traverse, this is where Michigan wine began. The peninsula's unique micro-climate — warmed by surrounding waters — produces Rieslings that rival the world's best.
Explore Old Mission PeninsulaMichigan's second AVA and its fastest-growing wine region. Leelanau is home to over 25 wineries, from iconic estates like Black Star Farms to sparkling wine specialists like L. Mawby. The region benefits from Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay, and Lake Leelanau — a triple-lake effect that creates ideal growing conditions for aromatic whites and elegant cool-climate reds.
Explore Leelanau PeninsulaMichigan's largest AVA and the heart of Southwest Michigan wine country. With a growing season two weeks longer than the northern regions, this is where red wines truly shine. Home to St. Julian (Michigan's oldest winery, est. 1921), Round Barn, and Tabor Hill — the winery that sparked Michigan's vinifera revolution in 1971. Rolling glacial hills and moraine soils produce bold Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and even Syrah.
Explore Lake Michigan ShoreMichigan's pioneering AVA — and only the third established in the entire United States, the same year as Napa Valley. Nestled within the larger Lake Michigan Shore AVA, Fennville is a small but historically significant region. Its sandy soils and cooler lake-moderated climate produce exceptional aromatic whites, sparkling wines, and fruit-forward hybrids. Fenn Valley Vineyards has anchored the region since 1973.
Explore FennvilleMichigan's newest and most adventurous AVA, established in 2016 by the Straits Area Grape Growers Association. At the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula, this frontier wine region pushes the boundaries of cool-climate viticulture. Cold-hardy hybrids like Marquette and Frontenac thrive in conditions too extreme for traditional vinifera. The result? Bold, distinctive wines you won't find anywhere else.
Explore Tip of the Mitt| Region | Est. | Wineries | Best For | Top Grapes | From Detroit | From Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Old Mission Peninsula
|
1987 | 10 | Riesling, Ice Wine, scenic drives |
Riesling
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
|
4 hrs | 5 hrs |
|
Leelanau Peninsula
|
1982 | 27 | Variety, sparkling, full-day trips |
Pinot Noir
Riesling
Sparkling
|
4.5 hrs | 5.5 hrs |
|
Lake Michigan Shore
|
1983 | 15+ | Red wines, weekend getaways |
Cab Franc
Merlot
Pinot Noir
|
2.5 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
|
Fennville
|
1981 | 8 | Intimate tastings, aromatic whites |
Riesling
Chambourcin
Vignoles
|
2.5 hrs | 2 hrs |
|
Tip of the Mitt
|
2016 | 6 | Adventure, unique cold-hardy wines |
Marquette
Frontenac
La Crescent
|
4.5 hrs | 5.5 hrs |
Michigan's cool climate is a paradise for white wine lovers. Crisp Rieslings, elegant Pinot Grigios, and aromatic Gewürztraminers with vibrant acidity.
Southwest Michigan's longer growing season gives you fuller-bodied reds — Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and complex Bordeaux-style blends.
With 27 wineries ranging from sparkling specialists to estate vineyards, Leelanau offers the most diverse tasting experience in one region.
Skip the 5-hour drive north. Southwest Michigan's wine country is under 2 hours from downtown Chicago and makes an easy weekend escape.
The newest frontier in Michigan wine. Small-batch, cold-hardy hybrid wines you can't find anywhere else — plus Petoskey and Charlevoix charm.
Bachelorette weekends, birthday wine tours, corporate retreats — the TC area offers the most infrastructure for groups with lodging, tours, and dining.