The Michigan Wine Blog – Wineries and Vineyards of Michigan

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery is located just north of Traverse City, Michigan, offering a variety of wines and hard cider made from fruit grown on our farms in beautiful Leelanau County.

Today the vineyard’s picturesque setting is yielding some of the finest wines ever produced from this new and progressive wine country. Chateau de Leelanau’s wines have been recognized for their quality, freshness, and complex allure with a continuing series of Gold Medal awards since their first vintage in 1999.

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery
5048 S. West Bayshore Dr.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-8888

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Peninsula Cellars

Peninsula Cellars is a family run winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula, just north of Traverse City, Michigan. The region lies along the 45th parallel, halfway between the north pole and the equator. This gives the region its distinct micro-climate, that makes it perfect for growing high quality wine grapes. Other well known wine regions that lie near the 45th parallel include, Alsace, Burgundy, and Bordeaux.

Our philosophy toward wine making has always been very minimalistic, allowing the regional expression of the fruit to come through. The sun, the rain, the wind, and the soil, all under the watchful eye of the grower, are what make our wines so good.

Peninsula Cellars
11480 Center Road
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-933-9787

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Ciccone Vineyard and Winery

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery presents one of northern Michigan’s most unique and picturesque wineries. Our Old World tasting room is situated atop the rolling hills of Leelanau Peninsula and features award-winning estate wines. Take a stroll through our vineyards and enjoy the striking views of West Grand Traverse Bay and our restored turn-of-the-century barn. Experience the most exceptional backdrop for wine tours, wedding celebrations and other special occasions.

Our vineyard was planted in 1996 and currently consists of 14 acres of vines. Our vineyard is planted in Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat, Marechal Foch, DeChaunac, Dolcetto and Malbec. We are currently the only vineyard to grow the Italian varietal, Dolcetto in Michigan and one of only two to grow Malbec in Michigan.

Lake Michigan, to our west, and West Grand Traverse Bay to our east, moderate extreme temperatures, and the hills produce a natural downdraft which circulates the air over the water, and brings it back to the land. In the winter, the downdraft brings back snow which protects the vines from the cold. The lake effect delays early blossoming, as well as first frost which minimizes damage to the blossoms.

The vineyard is managed through the change of each season. In the spring we start pruning to restrict yields and in the summer we de-leaf and thin crops to assure maximum fruit ripening. Soil health is maintained by restricting yields, fertilizing, and maintaining native grasses between rows to maintain moisture and prevent erosion.

The Leelanau Peninsula is one of the main wine regions of Michigan. It is renowned for the production of cool climate varieties especially, distinctive Rieslings, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and fine Chardonnay. This is an expanding wine area offering an exciting diversity of sandy loam and clay slopes.

Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
10343 East Hilltop Rd.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-5553

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Black Star Farms

Black Star Farms – Leelanau Peninsula Tasting Room

Twelve miles north of Traverse City and just off M-22 you’ll find our main tasting room located on the farm. It’s housed in a unique post-and-beam building and features an elliptical tasting bar.

Our friendly and informative staff is ready to help you through your tasting of our extensive list of wines, ciders, brandies and dessert wines. Whether you’re a novice or a connoisseur, you’re bound to discover a new favorite to take home. We also offer wine accessories, logo gear and chocolate!

Black Star Farms

A unique agricultural destination that features two winery production facilities with adjacent tasting rooms, a distillery, an Inn, and an equestrian facility. Our winery and distillery produce some of the most sought after and awarded Michigan wines and spirits. Our luxurious Inn is the perfect place to host private special events including weddings, corporate retreats, and family celebrations. Enjoy culinary offerings including dinners at the Inn or wood-fired pizzas at the Hearth & Vine both located on our Suttons Bay site.

To try our wines, visit any of our three tasting rooms on the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and at TASTES of Black Star Farms in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City or order online.

Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-944-1270

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Black Star Farms – Old Mission

Black Star Farms Old Mission, sits just off scenic M-37 among the rolling hills and gorgeous views of East Grand Traverse Bay. The former home of locally renown Underwood Farm market now houses a beautiful tasting room and state of the art wine making and distilling facility.

The tasting room boasts a round bar constructed from wine barrels, a cozy fireplace, and a knowledgeable and friendly staff. You can taste many of our award-winning wines and brandies, all of which express the regional nature of northwest Michigan.

Black Star Farms Old Mission is an extension of Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

The tasting room is open May through October: Mon. – Sat. 10-6; Sun. 11-5.

November to April: Mon. – Sun. 11 – 5.

BLACK STAR FARMS is a unique agricultural destination that features two winery production facilities with adjacent tasting rooms, a distillery, Inn, and equestrian facility. Our winery and distillery produce some of the most sought after and awarded Michigan wines and spirits. Our luxurious Inn is the perfect place to host private special events including weddings, corporate retreats, and family celebrations. Leelanau Cheese’s artisanal cheese … and the Hearth & Vine restaurant add to the culinary offerings at our Suttons Bay site.

To try our wines, visit any of our three tasting rooms on the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas as well as TASTES of Black Star Farms in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City or order online.

Black Star Farms – Old Mission
360 McKinley Rd. East
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-944-1300

Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-944-1270

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Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery

Located squarely on the famed 45th parallel, Forty-Five North uses its distinct location as the driving force behind its approach to crafting world-class wines that represent the region. Using grapes from estate and regional vineyards, everything is hand-crafted on-site with the ultimate goal of producing the most approachable, elegant wines possible.

Aside from red and white varietals, they also make a variety of fruit wines sourced from locally-grown fruits like peaches and strawberries as well as experimental dessert wines such as 45 Gold, a bourbon-barrel-aged apricot wine.

The rustic, post-and-beam barn nestled in the trees sets the scene for an unforgettable tasting experience.

Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery
8580 E. Horn Road
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-271-1188

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Chateau Fontaine

Getting its French title from proprietor Lucie Matthies’ middle name and paying homage to the French immigrants who settled in the area, Chateau Fontaine was a deserted potato farm and cow pasture when Dan Matthies discovered the property in the 1970’s with its favorable south-facing slopes for growing grapes.

Today, the cow pasture is one of three vineyards totaling 22 acres of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, among others.

Chateau Fontaine’s dry white wines include a fruit-forward Chardonnay, crisp Pinot Gris, Dry White Riesling and unique “Woodland White”, made from Auxerrois, a little known grape variety in this country, originally from France.

Semi-dry Gewurztraminer and semi-sweet White Riesling are our less dry selections. Our dry red wines are Pinot Noir and “Woodland Red”, an estate grown blend of Cabernets, Merlot, and Syrah.

Popular Big Paw Red makes an excellent and affordable speghetti and pizza wine. We also have an delicious cherry wine made from local cherries. Our wines are available at the tasting room near Lake Leelanau, at fine wine shops in the Leelanau and Grand Traverse area, and at select retailers around the state.

Chateau Fontaine
2290 South French Road
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231-256-0000

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Green Bird Cellars & Organic Farms

The vineyard, the orchard, the farm animals, the wildlife, the forest, and our families are all one living organism that make up our farm. By treating the farm using sustainable, organic practices we are taking responsibility for the long term viability of the whole and we think this sense of character and pride comes through in our products.

A true way to taste

Our tasting room is located amongst a 67 acre organic farm on the Leelanau Peninsula. We are two miles south of the picturesque waterfront community of Northport. Come visit the tasting room to try our estate made wines, handcrafted hard ciders, and locally made microbrews. Get a glass of your favorite and stay to experience the serenity of the farm.

Organic Farming

We follow a holistic approach to carrying for and managing the land. Rather than using conventional methods, such as strictly foliar feeding and using synthetic chemicals, we opt to amend the soils with nutrient rich compost and fish fertilizer. Our foliar feeding and pest management is done using natural methods such as neem oil, seaweed, probiotic culture, fermented herbal teas, and kaolin clay. We believe by following these practices we have a more symbiotic relationship between us, the earth, and the fruit it provides. We are Michigan’s only certified organic vineyard, orchard, and winery. Green Bird Cellars and Organic Farms is annually inspected and certified by Indiana Certified Organic (ICO) LLC, which is licensed by the USDA.

Green Bird Cellars & Organic Farms
9825 Engles Road
Northport, MI 49670
231-386-5636

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Longview Winery and Vineyard

Welcome to Longview Winery, where estate-grown wines are the signature of our boutique style winery. Our wines are available for complementary tasting at our tasting room, which is located next door to the Cedar Rustic Inn, just north of the village of Cedar.

Five Michigan ‘Best of Class’ trophies in our first five years! Come taste the best!

Longview Winery is about the possibilities in life. The life of our grapes, our wines and ourselves. We are making the best wines possible from the grapes we grow to reflect the moment in time when they were created. We are about discovery, learning, and the development of new knowledge. Ours is an evolving story built on love and respect and change. We hope that you will come and share what we have discovered on this journey. Take a bottle or two home and enjoy our creation. From our family to yours.

Longview Winery and Vineyard
8697 Good Harbor Trail (CR 651)
Cedar, MI 49621
231-228-2880

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Raftshol Vineyards

First a dairy enterprise, and then a cherry orchard, this farm now annually produces over 1000 cases of Bordeaux varietal red wines, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, and also produces fine Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer white wines.

Brothers Warren and Curtis Raftshol began the latest incarnation of their family farm in 1985. They were the first vineyard in the area to grow commercial-sized plantings of red vinifera grapes, which most local growers believed would fail in our northern climate. Their gamble paid off, as they are still renowned for Raftshol Red, one of the first red wines made in Northern Michigan (produced by Peninsula Cellars of Old Mission). Other local vineyards have since followed the Raftshol’s lead and are now growing red grapes.

A picture of the Raftshol’s mother Jean when she was twenty, graces the sign at the road. Because of Jean’s foresight in keeping the farm for her children, the Raftshol brothers are able to continue the long and honorable family tradition of earning a living from the land. The Raftshol Vineyards’ wine tasting room is open from noon until 5 p.m., seven days a week, year round.

Raftshol Vineyards
1865 N West Bay Shore Drive
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-271-5650

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