The state’s glacier history and impact from the Great Lakes contribute to ideal conditions for cultivating delicious Michigan wine.
While many people primarily associate Michigan with things like the auto industry and the Great Lakes, Michigan wine is also globally recognized. Michigan has over 13,000 acres of vineyards, and the state’s unique features—like the Great Lakes, rolling hills, and sheltered microclimates thanks to the lake effect—all work to create diverse (and delicious) conditions for cultivating wine.
My personal favorite wine is Leelanau Cellars’ Great Lakes Red, a warm and inviting Michigan wine that pairs well with everything from pasta to seafood to dessert. While I’d definitely recommend you give Great Lakes Red a try, there are also plenty of other wonderful Michigan wines to try. For instance, have you ever heard of ice wine? Made from grapes frozen before harvest, ice wine is one of the more unique types of Michigan wines.
You can explore ice wine and more from each of Michigan’s five federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Fennville, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula, and Tip of the Mitt.
What is an American Viticultural Area (AVA)?
The Alcohol and Tobacco and Tax and Trade Bureau explains that a viticultural area is a specified grape-growing region. An AVA is defined by the unique characteristics of the area, such as its soil, climate or microclimate, temperatures, or other factors. In Michigan, for instance, the history of glaciers moving through to create our Great Lakes also contributed to sandy and mineral-rich soil and sloping hills ideal for growing grapes.
The Great Lakes also create microclimates that lead to protected moderate temperatures that prevent frost damage, as well as a longer growing season. It sounds counterintuitive, but the high piles of snow that the areas near the lakes get actually protect the vines during the winter. The water also acts as a bit of a temperature regulator in the summer, preventing the heat from getting too extreme, which also protects the grapes.
Most of Michigan’s AVAs rely on the lake effect protection, harboring cold climate grapes, but the state has five different AVAs, each with its own distinct wine characteristics.
Fennville
Fennville is an AVA located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, known for its favorable fruit-growing conditions and moderate temperatures due to the lake effect. Specifically, Fennville favors growing cold-weather, tender grape varieties. Because Fennville is located on one of the most natural points near Lake Michigan, its climate is highly regulated and known for ample snow and freezing cold temperatures.
As a result, grape vines are delayed from budding until mid-May, and the growing season extends through November, which gives the grapes even more time to sweeten and ripen.
The best Fennville wines to try
- Rosé
- Lemberger
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
Fennville has six total wineries, and we have included some information about some wineries worth a visit.
Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar
6130 122nd Ave, Fennville, MI
Fenn Valley Vineyards explains that the “The Lake Effect Everyone Loves” slogan is in reference to how Lake Michigan contributes to the climate of grape growing, creating a narrow band along the shore for cold-tender grapes to thrive into delicious wines made locally.
This vineyard has over 50 years of experience in making wine, and cultivates a strong emphasis on approachable and community experiences with private and tour groups.
Modales Wines
Location: 2128 62nd Street, Fennville, MI
Modales Wines is a Certified Organic Winery, one of only a few such wineries in Michigan, and is located on a family-run 76-acre farm, first established over a century ago. They specialize in minimal intervention wines and ciders meant to highlight the natural beauty of Michigan’s wine.
Modales credits “Glacial sandy soil, climate, and time” for bringing their cold-weather climate grapes to life. They also focus on regenerative farming practices and grow their fruits for their sweet and fruit wines as well. So you get two Michigan microclimates with one wine brand!
Michigan Wine Co.
Location: 6781 124th Ave, Fennville, MI
What do an engineer and an educator have in common? Well, they both put their professional backgrounds and passions together to build a new type of dream: small-batch Michigan wine and cider that would grow to become the Michigan Wine Co.
Husband and wife team “Mr. and Mrs. K” began by planting a small crop of grapes on their family’s property and learned as they went with the help of family, friends, and neighbors. Now, Michigan Wine Co. represents all that is symbolic about Michigan wine: hard work, passion, and families working together. The winery offers a free club membership with complimentary tastings, discounts on special orders, and early access to new releases. They also have a tasting room and specialize in white wine varieties.
Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery
Location: 6054 124th Ave (M-89), Fennville, MI
You know what goes great with Michigan wine? Homemade Michigan pie, of course. Crane’s Pie & Winery offers what I can only describe as my greatest dream by bringing homemade fruit pies and high-quality wine together in one award-winning combination.
The small family orchard has grown into an all-encompassing venue with a small-batch winery, cider mill, U-pick orchards, a restaurant, and more. There are several locations throughout Michigan, and the business maintains its tradition as being family-owned and operated.
Lake Michigan Shore
Michigan’s second AVA is also on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, with protection from the lake that keeps the grapes protected and grants them a longer, more temperate growing season. The lake effect keeps temperatures from getting too extreme in the summer, which helps the grapes develop the right balance of sugars and acids to produce delicious wine.
The best Lake Michigan Shore wines to try
- Riesling
- Traminette
- Syrah
- Merlot
The best wineries on the Lake Michigan Shore
There are around 15 wineries on the Lake Michigan Shore, many of which can be enjoyed by strolling, biking, or hiking along the Lake Michigan Shore Trail. Here are a few of the wineries you may want to plan a stop at along the trail.
Dablon Vineyards
Location: 111 W. Shawnee Road, Baroda, MI
Even if you’re not a wine drinker, Dablon Vineyards is worth a visit because of its picturesque hilly setting tucked into one of the highest points near Lake Michigan amid stone-lined terraces. However, the beautiful setting isn’t just for looks. The 75-acre estate produces climate conditions similar to Burgundy and Bordeaux, France.
Dablon is especially known for its age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds as well as its tasting room, which offers spectacular views of the vineyards. both indoors and out.
Round Barn
Location: 10983 Hills Road, Baroda, MI
The Round Barn is so named because it quite literally has a round barn on the property containing its family-owned and operated winery, brewery, and distillery. The barn is a century-old Amish barn that is especially stunning in the fall with the backdrop of autumn colors.
The venue is especially accommodating to bringing people together with events such as wine tastings, live music, and community gatherings. Plus, the Round Barn goes beyond just wine, with distilled spirits highlighted in expertly crafted cocktails enjoyed on the estate.
Free Run Cellars
Location: 10062 Burgoyne Road, Berrien Springs, MI
The ideal place for parents and families to hang out, Free Run Cellars boasts about its friendly and welcoming atmosphere with a pond stocked with turtles, live music, and “kid-friendly vibes.” Owners and husband-and-wife pair Prashanth Pais and Trish Slevin are parents of three young kids themselves, so they’re passionate about creating a space where families can enjoy Southwest Michigan together.
Along with small batch wines, the venue also regularly hosts community events such as yoga events, pop-up artisan shops, picture-perfect backdrops for photo shoots, and romantic dates.
Leelanau Peninsula
Located on the northwest edge of Lake Michigan, the Northwestern Michigan Leelanau Peninsula AVA is home to my favorite wine (please see above) as well as many famous vineyards in the Greater Traverse City area. Like Michigan’s other AVAs, it harbors cool-climate grapes and sloped vineyards with maximum air drainage.
Because the Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by water, it creates a maritime climate and allows for what I think is one of Michigan wine industry’s coolest wines: ice wine. Ice wine is produced only when grapes have frozen on the vine, and Michigan is ripe for harvesting those perfectly chilled fruits.
The best Leelanau Peninsula wines to try
- Pinot Noir
- Verterra sparkling wine
- Mawby sparkling wine
- Cherry wine
The best wineries in the Leelanau Peninsula
The Leelanau Peninsula is a popular one for Michigan wine, boasting somewhere between 30 and 40 wineries. The area is also home to Michigan’s first and largest wine trail, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. When in doubt, we recommend simply visiting them all, but if you need some recommendations on where to stop, here are three can’t-miss wineries in the Leelanau Peninsula.
Leelanau Wine Cellars
Location: Leelanau Wine Cellars Ltd. 5019 North West Bay Shore Drive, MI
Leelanau Wine Cellars is one of the original wineries in Northern Michigan. The founding family, the Jacobsons, founded the winery in a Leelanau cherry orchard in 1974 because they believed the region would be ideal for wine—and they were clearly right.
Today, the winery has grown into 30 locations, with its wine carried in retail stores all throughout Michigan. Despite its success, the winery is still family-owned and operated. One of the most popular places to enjoy Leelanau Wine Cellars’ wine is at its famous tasting room in the Grand Traverse Bay, which sees over 40,000 visitors every year.
In addition to my favorite Leelanau Cellars’ Great Lakes Red, you’ll probably also recognize another famous Leelanau Cellars wine: Witches Brew.
Chateau Fontaine
Location: 2290 South French Road, Lake Leelanau, MI
We love that Chateau Fontaine pays homage to its French countryside-esque vibes by living on South French road, but aside from wine that rivals the best of France, the winery is a staple in the Leelanau County winemaking scene. The family-owned winery has been part of the community for over 20 years, with its first grapes planted entirely by hand.
The Chateau hosts indoor and outdoor tastings and wine by the glass, as well as a variety of charcuterie and accompaniments. Like music? Join the Wine Club on Wednesdays during the summer and enjoy live music while you sip.
French Valley Vineyard
Location: 3655 South French Road, Cedar, MI
Also paying homage to French vineyards, this Leelanau Winery prides itself on continually growing and expanding. French Valley Vineyard started with just five acres of planted grapes and now boasts a full 70 acres with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Frontenac Gris, and Marquette wines, as well as an orchard of Montmorency cherries.
All the wines produced from the vineyard use estate-grown grapes and cherries. The property also boasts a kids’ playground, a microbrewery, and events like a wagon tour or on-ground picnics.
Old Mission Peninsula
Like the Leelanau Peninsula, the Old Mission Peninsula is surrounded by water, creating a protective, maritime effect and climate. It’s a newer AVA, established in 1987, and considered “small but mighty” at just 19 miles long and three miles across at its widest point. Still, there are an impressive number of wineries and award-winning wines from the Old Mission.
The best Old Mission Peninsula wines to try
- Vinifera
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Franc
The best wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula
There are around 11 wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, although the region has been steadily growing. Here are two to add to your must-visit list!
2 Lads Winery
Location: 16985 Smokey Hollow Rd. Traverse City, MI
With a motto of “Bold, Modern, True,” 2 Lads Winery focuses on intentional planting seasons, a specialization in cool-climate red wines, sparkling wines, and small-run whites. They are passionate about sustainability from soil to bottle and use techniques such as gravity flow and gentle handling to both produce better wine and protect the land.
In line with their motto, the winery’s tasting room is also delightfully modern and aesthetically pleasing. If you stop in, you can sit for a $15 wine tasting, no reservation required.
Hawthornes Vineyards
Location: 1000 Camino Maria, Traverse City, MI
Founded by a husband and wife team with deep Michigan roots and inspired by a passion for gardening, Hawthornes Vineyards is an 80-acre farm tucked away on a high bluff overlooking West Grand Traverse for a picturesque setting and a secluded vineyard experience.
The setting is so secluded, in fact, that the vineyard boasts that visitors will only see “woods, water, and vineyard” from the on-site tasting room (or outdoor patio). Reservations are recommended for wine tastings, although walk-ins are accepted as the winery can accommodate them.
Tip of the Mitt
The newest AVA in Michigan, this region is found in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The Tip of the Mitt produces a microclimate similar to the other Michigan AVAs, with lake effect vineyard protection and longer growing seasons. Many of the wineries in the Tip of the Mitt are located in Petoskey and are known especially for producing white wines like Chardonnay and Riesling.
The best Tip of the Mitt wines to try
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Vidal Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
The best wineries in the Tip of the Mitt
The Tip of the Mitt AVA also includes wineries along the Lake Shore Wine Trail. There are around 14 wineries to enjoy in the Tip of the Mitt, so keep in mind that this list is just a sampling—we couldn’t possibly choose a favorite!
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery
Location: 3720 Atkins Rd, Petoskey, MI
Petoskey Farms Vineyard and Winery is basically all of my dreams rolled into one: it’s a vineyard, winery, coffeehouse, and lavender farm. Plus, Petoskey, Michigan, is one of the most beautiful places on earth, in my opinion.
The family-owned and tended vineyard is on the smaller side, only 11 acres, but it still boasts seven grape variants, and the entire winery was voted one of the top 25 wineries in the United States. Visit anytime Monday through Saturday, but enjoy your Petoskey Farms wine at home on Sundays, because the farm is closed for a day of rest.
Mackinaw Trail Winery
Location: 3423 US-131, Petoskey, MI
With locations in Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and Manistique, Mackinaw Trail Winery is a Michigan staple. Along with ample events at all locations, we love that the winery features beers, wines, and plenty of food options, so visit hungry!
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