There are 24 wineries currently on the Leelanau Peninsula that make up the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. These are broken down into three separate loops, The Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop. Most have tasting rooms where you can sample their wines and enjoy the views. I highly recommend that you visit the following:
Boathouse Vineyards: This is a winery located in the Village of Lake Leelanau. Their tasting room is right on the water. Here you can try their Pinot Grigio, one of their Rieslings, a Pinot Noir, a Rose or the Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend. 115 St. Mary’s St.
Blustone Vineyards: Don’t miss their contemporary tasting room in Lake Leelanau at 780 Sylt Rd. Here you can get great views of the vineyards and orchards. They product Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and a Gewurztraminer.
45 North Vineyard & Winery: This a local vineyard featuring a number of red and white varietals, along with a number of fruit wines from peaches, cherries and strawberries. There is also a bourbon-barrel-aged apricot wine. They also produce four ciders as well. I really liked the Oakayzie, a dry cider aged in bourbon barrels. 8580 E Horn Rd in Lake Leelanau.
Aurora Cellars: Also in Lake Leelanau at 7788 E. Horn Drive, they produce a number of whites, reds and sparkling wines. They also produce a number of ciders including one aged in bourbon barrels and a hard-pressed pear cider.
Black Star Farms: This is a large facility that has a hotel, wine tasting room, a distillery and restaurant. They make a number of reds, whites, roses plus sparkling, fruit and dessert wines. What really sells is its A Capella Ice Wine, an unusual breed of wine that requires very specific conditions to make, that was twice served at the White House, including the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. It is located in Suttons Bay at 10844 E. Revold Rd.
L. Mawby: Also located in Suttons Bay at 4519 S. Elm Valley Rd., they are known for their sparkling wines.
Rove Estate: Just west of Traverse City, Rove Estate opened in the spring of 2016, making it one of the newer area wineries. Their tasting room is located at one of the highest points in Leelanau County, so the views are outstanding. They make a Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, a Cabernet Franc/Merlot and a Rose. As far as whites go, they produce a Chardonnay, a Riesling, a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. 7007 E. Traverse Hwy. It is a great spot to stop on the way to or back from Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Verterra Winery: This is the tasting room of the local winery in downtown Leland at 103 River St. The winery is located in Northport, MI. I stopped in and enjoyed visiting with the owner. They produce a number of whites, reds, sparkling wines, fruit and dessert wines plus apple based ciders. I really enjoyed the pinot noir rose and bought a bottle to take home. You can tour their vineyards at the Ridge of Verterra in Northport.
Leelenau Cellars: This is a winery that has its lovely waterfront tasting room in Omena at 5019 North West Bay Shore Drive. The winery was established in 1977 and make over 30 wines from its locally grown grapes. They make a number of fruit wines, dessert wines, blends plus red and white varietals.
