11 Best Old Mission Peninsula Wineries You Need to Visit

Old Mission Peninsula in Northern Michigan is my happy place. Add in any of the Old Mission Peninsula wineries below, and I’m set for a perfect day. You will be too!

The Old Mission Peninsula is a 19-mile stretch of land that, in my estimation, has it all. Driving down M-37, which bisects the peninsula, you’re met with rolling green hills, rows of lush vineyards, rickety farm stands, cherry tree orchards, and turquoise Lake Michigan waters that stretch to the horizon. This is why I love Northern Michigan.

The peninsula, which is just a ten minute drive from downtown Traverse City, is the heart of Michigan’s wine region (along with neighboring Leelanau Peninsula). I swear, the moment you drive onto the peninsula you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the wine valleys of France, Italy, or even Slovenia.

This is all thanks to the 45th parallel (which is the same as the Rhone Valley in France, or Piedmont in Italy). Wine grapes LOVE this parallel, which is why they thrive on Old Mission Peninsula.

11 Best Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

Below are eleven of my very favorite Old Mission Peninsula wineries and vineyards.

As a Michigander, it’s not summer for me without at least one trip to Old Mission Peninsula. And now that my parents have relocated to Old Mission Peninsula, I’ve had even more opportunity to try these wineries, and test out all my favorites to share with you.

Stop by any of the Old Mission wineries below for a wine tasting, tour, or a wander through the vineyards.

1. Bowers Harbor Vineyard

2896 Bowers Harbor Road, Traverse City, MI 

Bowers Harbor Vineyard is one of my very favorite Old Mission Peninsula wineries. It’s located on lowland close to Bowers Harbor, so you don’t get the panoramic views some of the other vineyards offer. Instead, you get a feeling of coziness, authenticity, and being surrounded by 20 acres of grapes.

Bowers Harbor Vineyard is unique because they also produce cider. You can get tasting flights of cider or wine, and wander their vineyard afterward before buying a bottle of your favorite.

Try: Gewurztraminer wine, or the Cherry Cider.

2. 2 Lads Winery

16985 Smokey Hollow Rd., Traverse City, MI 

2 Lads Winery is another must visit Old Mission winery. It’s located high on a hill with great views across the peninsula and over the vineyards and lake. I’ve come to the tasting room here in fall and winter, and the views are phenomenal.

The whole place has a very modern, a little bit funky feel. That’s reflected in the wine, as well… in a good way!

Try: Rose of Cabernet Franc, Reserve Chardonnay

3. Chateau Chantal

15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, MI  

Chateau Chantal is the queen of Old Mission Peninsula wineries. It really should be your first stop if this is your first time wine tasting on the peninsula, and it’s included on most winery tours.

Chateau Chantal is quite a commercial operation, but what it lacks in the quaint charm you’d find at places like Bowers Harbor, is made up for with elegance, really good wine, and what’s widely-agreed as the best winery views on Old Mission Peninsula.

The views here just can’t be beat: the winery is set on a hill, overlooking expansive views of farmland, vineyard, and lake on both sides of the peninsula.

Try: Late Harvest Riesling, Gewurztraminer

Stay: Chateau Chantal Inn, the winery has its own inn on site.

4. Black Star Farms

360 McKinley Road E, Traverse City, MI

Black Star Farms has a lovely wine tasting room on Old Mission Peninsula, but their actual vineyard and farm are located on neighboring Leelanau Peninsula (visit them there, too, if you have the time!).

Even though you won’t be strolling a massive vineyard here, it’s still well worth a visit to the Black Star Farms tasting room. Wine tasting is offered daily.

Try: Arcturos Pinot Gris, Barrel Aged Chardonnay

5. Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery

3309 Blue Water Rd, Traverse City, MI 

Brys Estate is my personal favorite winery on Old Mission Peninsula. I’ve come here so many times, including on my own honeymoon! It’s my #1 recommended stop.

This place is just beautiful, and impeccably designed (if you’re looking for the most “instagrammable” Old Mission Peninsula winery, this is probably it).

I recommend doing a wine tasting on their back patio, with their excellent charcuterie board (gluten free crackers are available!). Be sure to walk onto the platform over the vineyard. The views over rows and rows of grapes extending to the tree line and turquoise lake are unbeatable.

Brys Estate also has a secret garden, if you make the drive down past their vineyards into the valley below. It’s a gorgeous lavender garden which blooms mid July and sometimes through August.

They sell products year round…I now have their lavender hand soap in my bathroom at home and couldn’t recommend it more!

Try: Merlot Reserve, Pinot Grigio Reserve, and the Frose (pictured below) is super cute and delicious!

Stay: You can stay on the winery property at their Bed and Breakfast.

6. Bonobo Winery

12011 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI 

Bonobo Winery has the tag line “evolved yet primal” and I think that’s a good descriptor for the vibe of their tasting room and wine itself.

This winery is located directly off M-37 (also called Center Road) and has a huge open space warehouse as the tasting room.

There are great views, tapas style food to accompany the wines, and in addition to a wine tasting you can also get a tour of their vineyards.

Try: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris

7. Mari Vineyard

8175 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI

Mari Vineyard is just off M-37. As you enter you’ll think you landed in Tuscany! The building and the drive leading up to it are both designed in the Italian style. It honestly feels a bit out of place on little Old Mission Peninsula, but you will definitely feel whisked away.

Wine tasting is offered daily here. Mari Vineyard uses sustainable energy and some unique techniques to extend the grapes’ season. The result is wines that are quite different to other wines on the peninsula.

Try: Nellaserra red wines

8. Chateau Grand Traverse

12239 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI

Chateau Grand Traverse is another winery with a stunning view over the west bay. In fact, there is a scenic turnoff from M-37 right above their fields, giving you views of the rolling vineyard fields. Of all the wineries on this list, this is probably the best one to catch a sunset view!

Chateau Grand Traverse has a patio and offers wine tastings, wine by the glass, charcuterie boards, and even informational tours of their vineyard.

Try: Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris, Late Harvest Riesling

9. Peninsula Cellars

11480 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI

Peninsula Cellars is a family run establishment, which you can tell in the attention to detail. The Kroupa family has been farming this land for over a hundred years, and the current owners are the sixth generation in the family to farm fruit here!

They take a minimalist approach to their wine making so the flavors are simpler and more fruit forward than you might find at other wineries on the peninsula.

One fun thing about Peninsula Cellars, that further sets them apart, is that the tasting room is in Maple Grove School, which was an adorable old one room school house! After it was a school house, the building was used as an art studio by my family friend’s dad, who was an art professor. And now, it’s a tasting room! Talk about evolution!

As a result, they’ve named some of their wines in the ‘school’ theme.

Try: Old School White, Exchange Student, Pop Quiz

10. Tabone Vineyards

14916 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI

Tabone Vineyards is located off Peninsula Drive, and specializes in small batch estate grown wines. Their most popular wines are whites, like Chardonnay and Rieslings. There is a tasting room here which is open throughout the week.

In the winter, Tabone Vineyards has been known to set up outdoor igloos where you can cozy up and enjoy a mulled wine. So if you plan to do your Old Mission Peninsula winery tour in the winter this should definitely be on your list!

Try: Estate Chardonnay Oaked, Estate Sweet Harvest Riesling

11. Hawthorne Vineyards

1000 Camino Maria, Traverse City, MI

Hawthorne Vineyards is tucked away on the west side of Old Mission Peninsula, and it took me the longest to finally visit! But now it’s one of my favorites.

This secluded winery has a beautiful tasting room with outdoor seating (Adirondack chairs and picnic tables) overlooking the vines, trees, and a peek of Lake Michigan on either side.

They offer pre-selected tastings of three wines, but the menu is double-sided with plenty of combinations to choose from. Personally I loved the “patio pounders” tasting, which includes a sparking, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. The charcuterie board is also excellent!

Try: Delish, Pinot Grigio, Harvest Riesling

Planning Your Visit to the Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

How many wineries should you visit?

If you choose to tour the wineries on your own, without a driver or tour company (which is totally doable!), the sweet spot is three wine tastings.

Give it one hour per vineyard for a nice, relaxed afternoon out.

However you could definitely visit more than three wineries in a day if you have a designated driver, or use one of the shuttle services I recommend below!

What are the best Old Mission wine tours? 

I recommend this classic 5 hour Old Mission wine tour, which takes you to four wineries!

It’s the perfect way to see the peninsula, and the absolute easiest way to do wine tastings. You won’t have to worry about designated drivers, so you can fully relax.

Book your Old Mission Peninsula wine tour here.

There is also a sunset winery tour, which is a bit shorter at four hours but offers incredible views. And, alternatively to a bus tour, this company offers private designated driver services, using your own vehicle.

Do you need to make reservations?

If you’re booking a winery tour, then you should definitely reserve it in advance, as these sell out.

You don’t need to make reservations if you’re independently visiting wineries, although if you’re coming during a busy time of year (weekends in June, July, and August) then you might want to reserve a time slot just in case.

Personally, I never make reservations and I’ve never had an issue.

How much does a wine tasting cost?

This varies by wineries. You will have to pay for your wine tasting, and this could be $10-$20+. You will typically get 3-5 wines to try.

Some wineries, like Tabone, let you choose your wines. Others have pre-selected tasting flights.

Where should you stay on Old Mission Peninsula?

There are limited places to stay that are actually on Old Mission Peninsula. Most people prefer to stay in Traverse City for easier access to shops and restaurants. It is easy to stay in Traverse City and drive into Old Mission Peninsula for the day.

Where to stay in Traverse City:

• Park Place Hotel ($$) – The only hotel with parking and walking distance of downtown Traverse City. I’ve stayed here several times and highly recommend!
• Cherry Tree Inn & Suites ($$) – Hotel with lake access and hot tubs, short driving distance from both Old Mission and downtown Traverse City. I’ve stayed here a couple times.
• Want to stay at a winery? Chateau Chantal has an inn, and Brys Estates has a rental property on site.

Old Mission Peninsula Wineries: Final Thoughts

Have I convinced you to go wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula? Well, I bet you didn’t need that much convincing… Just looking at the photos I’m sure you can see why this is one of my favorite days out in Michigan.

Any questions on these Old Mission Peninsula wineries? Just leave a comment below.

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