Seven distinct trails wind through Michigan's wine country — from the sun-drenched shores of the southwest to the wild northern frontier. Find your route.
Where Michigan Wine Began
Running the length of a narrow peninsula that splits Grand Traverse Bay in two, this is where Michigan's modern wine story started. Chateau Grand Traverse planted the state's first Riesling vines here in 1974. Today, 11 wineries line M-37 from Traverse City to the Mission Point Lighthouse, each offering panoramic water views and cool-climate wines shaped by the surrounding bay. The trail is compact enough to visit 4–5 wineries in a single afternoon.
Michigan's Most Celebrated Wine Region
With 27 wineries scattered across rolling hills and lakeside bluffs, the Leelanau Peninsula is Michigan's most prolific wine region. The peninsula sits at the 45th parallel — the same latitude as Bordeaux — and benefits from Lake Michigan's moderating influence on all sides. You'll find everything here from sparkling wine specialists like L. Mawby to natural wine pioneers like Rove Estate, plus Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore right next door.
Michigan's Red Wine Country
Stretching along the southwestern shore from St. Joseph to Paw Paw, the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail sits at the same latitude as Rome and Tuscany. This is where 90% of Michigan's vineyards are planted, and the warmer, longer growing season means red grapes truly thrive here — something rare in the Great Lakes. St. Julian Winery, the state's oldest (est. 1921), anchors a trail that includes 14 official member wineries dedicated to using locally grown grapes.
Michigan's First Wine Region
Established in 1981, Fennville was Michigan's first federally recognized wine region and only the third in the entire United States. Nestled within the larger Lake Michigan Shore area, this compact trail combines classic estate wineries like Fenn Valley Vineyards (growing grapes since 1973) with newer arrivals and acclaimed cideries. The nearby beach towns of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Holland make it easy to pair wine tasting with a lakeside getaway.
Michigan's Northern Frontier
The Petoskey Wine Region encompasses 14 wineries within the Tip of the Mitt, Michigan's newest officially designated wine region (est. 2016). This is frontier winemaking — cold-hardy hybrid grapes like Marquette and La Crescent thrive where traditional varieties can't survive the harsh winters. The result is wines you won't find anywhere else in the state. Between tastings, explore Little Traverse Bay, the Tunnel of Trees scenic drive, and the charming resort town of Petoskey.
Southeast Michigan's Hidden Gem
Launched in 2023, the River Raisin Wine Trail is Michigan's newest wine trail, uniting four wineries in the rolling Irish Hills region of southeastern Michigan. Named after the River Raisin — itself named by French settlers for the abundant wild grapes along its banks — this trail offers a quieter, more personal tasting experience. It's an easy drive from Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Toledo, making it ideal for a spontaneous afternoon of tasting.
Uncork the North
The U.P. Wine Trail connects seven wineries spread across Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula — making it less of a traditional wine trail and more of an epic Great Lakes road trip. Between stops, you'll pass through forests, along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shorelines, past waterfalls, and through small towns known for pasties and Petoskey stones. These wineries specialize in cold-climate wines, fruit wines, and craft cider, often paired with local food.
Whether you're planning a single afternoon or a week-long wine country road trip, we can help you build the perfect itinerary across any of Michigan's wine trails.