Wine Tasting & More in Traverse City, Michigan

A Delicious Adventure in Michigan!

We can think of several reasons to visit the beautiful shores of northern Michigan this summer, but one of our favorites is the chance to explore Traverse City. There are so many amazing things to do in Traverse City, including visiting the excellent Michigan wineries in this part of the state!

This might come as a surprise, but one of the top things to do in Traverse City - especially as we head into late summer and fall - is enjoy wine tasting at local Michigan wineries. Traverse City is known as the "cherry capital of the world," and the sensational fruit orchards found here which has resulted in this area producing some of the best wine in the country.

As delicious as they are, visiting Michigan wineries is just one of the many great things to do in Traverse City this summer. Given that it's the major city in this part of Michigan, Traverse City also serves as the hub for the region, with great restaurants, boutiques, and thriving nightlife. In short, it's a spectacular place to spend some time this summer!

That is especially true when you couple your visit to Traverse City with a stay at the Select Registry Michigan Bed and Breakfast, located just a short drive away on beautiful Sutton's Bay. A stay at this Select Registry partner ensures you enjoy the best of both worlds during your getaway: a stunning, rural retreat with delicious wines and easy access to all the best things to do in Traverse City. If you're ready to have some fun this summer, it's time to book a room at our Michigan Bed and Breakfast.

The Best Michigan Wineries to Visit

There are several delightful Michigan wineries around the state - more than 150 of them, to be exact - but most are found in northern Michigan in the Traverse City area. Thanks to the diversity in location around the state, there's also plenty of variety in the types of wines produced by Michigan wineries. From classic reds and whites to ice wines, sparkling varietals, and delicious fruit wines, there's always something worth exploring at the top Michigan wineries.

With 55% of the Michigan wineries located in the Traverse City area, it's one of the leading things bringing tourists to the area. Each is unique, but all offer something more than a great glass of wine. Michigan wineries lead the way in providing an authentic wine experience, and it's one of the many things we love about them! Here are some of the top Michigan wineries near Traverse City:

1. The #1 winery in Michigan to put on your list also just so happens to be one of our Select Registry Partners: Black Star Farms. Black Star Farms is not just one of the best Michigan wineries but also a culinary destination and a true "must" for wine and food enthusiasts. They operate two tasting rooms, one at the estate and one in downtown Traverse City, and an onsite distillery, where they make delicious spirits like cherry brandy.
2. Another great winery on Sutton Bay is Mawby Vineyards, one of the leading Michigan wineries for sparkling wines. Their wines are made utilizing the classic French méthode champenoise.
3. Bonobo Winery is another great stop in the Traverse City area. This celebrity-owned winery focuses its energy on making sensational small-batch wines, which are best paired with the selection of small plates that celebrity chef Mario Batali developed.
4. Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery is one of the leading Michigan wineries for red wine. Like Bonobo Winery, Brys Estate is located on the Old Mission Peninsula and makes for a delicious afternoon pitstop.
5. Another great stop on the Old Mission Peninsula is Chateau Chantal Winery. It offers sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay and delicious wine tasting opportunities.
6. Step inside an old schoolhouse and enjoy a delicious tasting at Peninsula Cellars Winery, one of the better-known Michigan wineries in the Traverse City area.
7. Another great stop is Chateau Grand Traverse, one of the state's largest commercial wineries. They are well known for their delicious Rieslings.
8. 45 North Vineyard and Winery, which just so happens to be situated on the same 45th parallel as popular wine-growing regions like Bordeaux and Washington State's Walla Walla Valley, is a leader in sustainable wine production. They produce a delicious range of white wines, including Riesling and an unwooded Chardonnay, but they also have a healthy selection of fruit wines and ciders worth trying.
9. French Valley Vineyards, located near Lake Leelanau, has a variety of vines and cherries planted on their estate. Tastings of their Rieslings and Cabernet Francs are a must, but we also recommend sampling their yummy cherry wines.
10. Chateau Fontaine is another gem near Lake Leelanau and is a great place to enjoy a laid-back wine tasting experience in northern Michigan. They are best known for white wines, including Rieslings and Gewürztraminer.

Wine tasting at these Michigan wineries is an excellent reason to visit northern Michigan, but it's just one of the many great things to do in Traverse City. Keep reading for more!

More Things to do in Traverse City

We certainly wouldn't blame you if you did nothing but relax at our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast on Sutton Bay and sipped and swirled your way from one delicious glass of wine to the next. However, if you need or want a break from wine tasting, there are plenty of great things to do in Traverse City this summer and fall.

Get out on the water, enjoy shopping and eating your way through downtown, and experience the city's vibrant nightlife. There's so much going on in the area, and it's truly a beautiful destination in northern Michigan! Below, find 10 of the top-rated things to do in Traverse City.

1. Traverse City is the gateway to the popular Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Spend a day here, and it's easy to see why this is one of the top-rated things to do in Traverse City. There are plenty of other great Michigan beaches worth exploring, too.
2. If you're in the mood for shopping, there's no better place to visit than The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The 480-acre wooded campus is beautiful, with plenty of great architecture to enjoy as you move from shop to shop.
3. Setting sail on tall ships is one of the most popular things to do in Traverse City. The city has more tall ship sailing vessels than any other port on the Great Lakes.
4. Visit the Traverse City Lighthouse - one of several great Michigan lighthouses worth seeing.
5. Wine tasting at the top Michigan wineries is a must - but don't miss the great breweries found here, too!
6. Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states, and you can surely taste it at local Traverse City restaurants. There's a reason Traverse City was named as one of the best foodie towns - and tasting your way through it is one of the top things to do in Traverse City.
7. Get outdoors! There are plenty of ways to enjoy the scenic natural beauty of this area, including hiking, biking, paddling, and more.
8. Seeing Lake Michigan shipwrecks is one of the most popular things to do in Traverse City, especially if you're a scuba diver!
9. If you come to Traverse City in the fall, be prepared for some of the most breathtaking fall foliage. Here's a great guide to the best of fall in Traverse City.
10. It's the cherry capital of the world, and this summer is the perfect time to visit local cherry orchards and farms, where you can enjoy their seasonal bounty and partake in some u-pick fun!

Best Places to Stay Near Traverse City

Inn at Black Star Farms

Our luxurious Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing retreat, celebrate your most special occasions, or get out and enjoy all the beauty and fun that Northern Michigan has to offer. Black Star Farms, 15 minutes outside of Traverse City, is a unique 160-acre winery destination that features a remarkable Inn, vineyards, equestrian facility, winery, and tasting room, and distillery.

Our winery and distillery produce some of the most sought-after and awarded Michigan wines and spirits.  Casual and upscale farmstead cuisine are available seasonally at Hearth and Vine and year-round at the Inn. Nearby, visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, voted the Most Beautiful Place in America by viewers of ABC's Good Morning America, or many other delightful lakeshore towns and stunning natural settings for your escape.

Our Luxury Michigan Bed and Breakfast is a sought-after destination year-round.  View our website and make a booking.

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Inisfree Estate luxury Venue and Historic Inn

Inisfree Estate, circa 1893, is one of those properties that will truly captivate your heart. From the moment you arrive, a sense of peace and tranquility floods your soul. Situated on thirty private acres, there are walking trails, a stocked pond, pool, hot tub, putting green, bocce ball, beautiful gardens, and vineyard.

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Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast

The inn is located blocks from the quaint downtown shopping district where you can find little shops filled with special treasures, coffee, and the area’s premier organic chocolate store. The Nordic Pineapple is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway, family gathering, girls’ weekend, anniversary or just to decompress and reconnect. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast, relax by the fire pit in the evening, or watch the world go by on the expansive front porch; you won’t be disappointed.

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