Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Explore Michigan's picturesque Leelanau Peninsula, a renowned wine region with stunning vineyards and award-winning wines.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed tastings
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed tastings
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Michigan's picturesque Leelanau Peninsula, a renowned wine region with stunning vineyards and award-winning wines.
"The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers a beautiful setting for wine enthusiasts, with many wineries praised for their quality wines and scenic views."
🚗 Plan Your Transportation
Consider tours or e-bikes to enjoy tastings responsibly. Driving between wineries requires a designated driver.
📅 Check Winery Hours
Hours can vary, especially seasonally. Always check ahead to avoid disappointment.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Scenic Vineyard Views
Various Wineries
Sip world-class wines with breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay and rolling vineyards. A true feast for the eyes and palate.
Biking the Wine Trail
Leelanau Trail & Wineries
Rent e-bikes and cruise between wineries, enjoying the fresh air and picturesque landscapes. A popular way to experience the trail.
Unique Winery Experiences
Aurora Cellars, 45 North Vineyard & Winery, Leelanau Cellars
Discover wineries with unique offerings, from cozy tasting rooms to wines grown on the 45th parallel.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Getting Around the Trail
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Plan Your Transportation
Consider tours or e-bikes to enjoy tastings responsibly. Driving between wineries requires a designated driver. +1
📅 Check Winery Hours
Hours can vary, especially seasonally. Always check ahead to avoid disappointment.
🎟️ Book Special Event Tickets
Popular events like 'Toast the Season' sell out fast. Book in advance!
🐶 Pet-Friendly Wineries
Some wineries welcome dogs, often with special winery dogs! Check policies before you go.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Plan Your Transportation
Consider tours or e-bikes to enjoy tastings responsibly. Driving between wineries requires a designated driver. +1
📅 Check Winery Hours
Hours can vary, especially seasonally. Always check ahead to avoid disappointment.
🎟️ Book Special Event Tickets
Popular events like 'Toast the Season' sell out fast. Book in advance!
🐶 Pet-Friendly Wineries
Some wineries welcome dogs, often with special winery dogs! Check policies before you go.
📱 Download a Trail Map
Having a map handy is crucial for navigating the various wineries.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers a beautiful setting for wine enthusiasts, with many wineries praised for their quality wines and scenic views. However, visitor experiences can be inconsistent, with some events and wineries receiving criticism for lacking engagement and clear communication regarding pairings and offerings. Planning and checking individual winery details are key to a successful visit.
"I am not looking for anything nor do I need anyone to reachout to me. I am just providing feedback for the event that can be awesome, but wasn't because the wineries didn't seem to care.
I live in Leelanau county and I am in the wine industry. I ran tasting rooms in TC and manage events like this. Before we moved up here 9 years ago, we would come up and do Taste the Passion with 4 other friends and we always had an amazing time. The wineries were happy to see us, they explained what they were doing, the wine, food pairing and any additional offers. After we moved up here we stopped doing the Taste the Passion event. This year 2025 we decided to do it again.
It was very hit and miss and overall a little disappointing.
Our first winery was Verterra and they knocked it out of the park. We came in, they all said hi or welcome, they had a table setup to check our tickets, pour our wine and give us our food pairing. They explained everything and we enjoyed our food and wine pairing and went up and sampled two more wines at the bar.
Then we headed off to Good Harbor, where they did have a table setup to check us in, but they poured us a wine, gave us an undercooked potato and walked away from the table. We had no idea what wine we were having or the food. We didn't know if there were any additional pours or just that one sample. So, we finished our wine and left.
It got worse at some places, no check-in, told us to "just pick whatever wine you would like for your sample" So, no wine and food pairing, just randomly pick a wine and hope it goes with the food.
It felt very different than 9 years ago. Some wineries were excited to see us, explained their pairing and what we could do and others didn't have a check-in and didn't seem to care if we were there.
Finally, I have to say after spending years listening to tasting room managers complain that they don't sell any wine at events, you would think they would learn that communication and a couple additional samples can help to sell wine.
The wineries we went into (11 total) that communicated, provided two additional pours, we bought wine from. Why, we got to try something else, but more importantly we got to have a personal interaction with the wine guides.
The wineries that said nothing, gave no samples, we had a wine and food and left. Why would we buy when you don't care.
Finally, so many of the wineries didn't put their best wine forward, they put their cheapest wine at 2 of the places we went. It's good to have a variety of options as you go around the wine trail. But pouring your cheapest just was sad to see.
Last note, so many of the wineries posted little to nothing about this event. They didn't post about their food and wine pairings.
Why do the event if you aren't going to show up and bring the winning attitude?"
Ralph Kridner II
"I participated in Vino-Madness along the Leelanau Wine Trail and had a really good time! For $25.00 a person, we sampled wine and food pairings at 8 of the maybe 15 or so wineries along the trail over the course of 2 days. It was a really neat event, and a fun way to experience the wineries for a reasonable price. Each of the wineries was very welcoming and we walked away with several bottles of wine that we probably would not have normally tried and saw some beautiful wineries. I would love to come back again for another event and highly recommended it to any wine lover!"
Jacquelynn Crabb
"We paid $75.00 for a ticket to the toast of the season, been coming every year since 2007. It seems we pay more to come and get less. If you want to sell the wine, you need to treat the participants who attend better. Some places put us in tents, some wanted us to wait outside until we could enter as they only let in 8 people, and some did not give us extra tastes. I don't buy products I can't try first."
Coessa Kenney
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is located in Northern Michigan, north of Traverse City. You can drive your own vehicle, but consider booking a wine tour or renting e-bikes to fully enjoy the tastings. Many visitors fly into Traverse City (TVC) and rent a car. 
Absolutely! Renting electric bikes is a popular and scenic way to explore the trail, allowing you to visit multiple wineries without the hassle of driving. Many tours offer this option.
For responsible wine tasting, consider booking a guided wine tour, hiring a driver, or using ride-sharing services. E-bikes are also a fantastic option for a more active experience. +1
Wineries are spread across the peninsula, with some clustered together and others more spread out. Having a map or using GPS is recommended for efficient travel between locations.
While some wineries might be close enough for a short walk, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is quite spread out. It's generally not feasible to walk between most wineries. Transportation is recommended.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
For general visits, most wineries do not require advance tickets, but it's always best to check their individual websites. Special events like 'Toast the Season' or 'Vino-Madness' often require ticket purchases, which can sell out quickly.
Tasting fees vary by winery, typically ranging from $5-$15 per person for a flight of wines. Special event tickets can range from $25 to $75 or more, depending on the event and inclusions.
Yes, the trail hosts several popular events throughout the year, including 'Toast the Season' in the fall and 'Vino-Madness' in the spring, offering curated wine and food pairings.
For regular visits, reservations are usually not required, but it's a good idea to call ahead, especially for larger groups or during peak season. Some wineries may have limited tasting room capacity.
A standard wine tasting typically includes a flight of 3-5 wines. Special events often include food pairings and sometimes additional pours or discounts on wine purchases.
🎫 🍷 Onsite Experience
The Leelanau Peninsula boasts over 25 wineries, with many participating in organized wine trails and events.
The region is known for its Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and various red blends. The unique microclimate allows for a diverse range of grape varietals. +1
Many wineries offer cheese boards, small bites, or more substantial food options. Special events often feature curated food and wine pairings.
Some wineries are pet-friendly, and some even have their own winery dogs! It's best to check the specific winery's policy before visiting with your pet.
Consider joining a guided wine tour, renting e-bikes, or designating a driver. This allows you to sample wines from various locations safely and enjoyably.
📸 📸 Photography
Look for scenic vineyard vistas, charming winery architecture, and picturesque views of Grand Traverse Bay. Many wineries offer beautiful backdrops for photos.
Generally, yes, but be respectful of other guests and winery operations. Some areas might be restricted for private events or production. Always ask if unsure.
Keep an eye out for charming barns, colorful vineyards in the fall, and the stunning lake views. Some wineries even have unique art installations.
The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer the most beautiful light for landscape and vineyard photography. Midday can be harsh, but still offers great shots of the wineries themselves.
Drone usage may be restricted at wineries and on private property. Always check local regulations and winery policies before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during off-peak hours or weekdays to ensure a more relaxed experience. Wineries that are part of larger towns or have more extensive grounds might be better suited for families. Always check the specific winery's policies regarding children before your visit.
💰 Budget Travelers
Look for wineries that offer smaller tasting flights or allow you to share a tasting. Packing your own snacks and water can also help save money on food purchases at the wineries. Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) when accommodations and potentially tasting fees might be lower.
💖 Couples & Romantic Getaways
Opt for a guided wine tour that includes transportation, allowing you both to relax and enjoy the wines without worrying about driving. Many wineries also offer special events or live music, which can add to a romantic evening. Enjoying a sunset over Grand Traverse Bay after a day of wine tasting is an unforgettable experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Visitors can explore the trail at their own pace, but many opt for organized tours or self-guided bike tours to safely enjoy tastings. The trail is often divided into loops, such as the Grand Traverse Bay Loop, which features a cluster of highly-rated wineries. Planning your route in advance is recommended, especially if you aim to visit a specific number of wineries in a day.
Beyond wine tasting, the Leelanau Peninsula offers charming small towns, beautiful beaches, and outdoor recreational activities, making it a well-rounded destination for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. The wineries themselves often provide unique experiences, from cozy tasting rooms to live music and special events throughout the year.
The Art of Wine Tasting on Leelanau
Some wineries, like Verterra, have been praised for their excellent customer service during tasting events, providing detailed explanations of their wine and food pairings. Others, however, have received feedback about inconsistent experiences, with some staff being more engaged than others.
Special events, such as 'Toast the Season' or 'Vino-Madness,' offer a more structured tasting experience, often including curated food pairings and a chance to sample wines from multiple wineries over a day or two. These events are highly popular and provide a fantastic way to discover new favorites, though they can be crowded and require advance booking.
Biking and Wine: A Perfect Pairing
+1Biking provides a unique perspective of the peninsula's beauty, allowing you to soak in the vineyard landscapes and fresh air between tastings. Many wineries are situated along or near bike-friendly routes, making it a convenient and enjoyable mode of transport. Remember to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and always designate a sober rider or utilize a tour service if you plan to indulge in multiple tastings.
When biking, it's essential to plan your route and check winery hours in advance. Some wineries may have limited capacity or specific tasting times. Bringing a small backpack can be useful for carrying water, snacks, and any wine purchases you might make along the way.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit