Leelanau Peninsula Wine Tour

The Leelanau Peninsula is the part of the Traverse City wine world that feels like a countryside holiday. Unlike its narrow neighbor to the east, Leelanau is a broad hand of land with villages like Suttons Bay, Leland and Northport, farm stands, orchards and a dense cluster of tasting rooms linked by quiet county roads. Dozens of wineries sit within an easy drive of each other, producing Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and sparkling wine, along with ciders and spirits from farm distilleries. A guided tour of three wineries on the peninsula makes sense of the options and gets you to the best stops without anyone having to pick a designated driver.

A typical departure runs about five hours and includes pickup in or near Traverse City, three winery stops, and commentary from the guide-driver on the land and the grapes. Check the inclusions when you book, including tasting fees, any snacks, and the exact itinerary. Because the peninsula is large, the tour stays within a loop rather than trying to cover everything. Many visitors come back for a second day to explore Leland's Fishtown, the small harbor with weathered fish shacks and shops, and to see more of the shoreline.

Leelanau wine reflects the region's cool climate and sandy, glacier-formed soils. Wineries range from refined tasting rooms with sweeping vineyard views to rustic barns with picnic tables and live music in summer. Several produce sparkling wine in the traditional method, and some make small-lot reds that surprise visitors expecting only white. Because the peninsula is spread out, a guided tour also gives you a scenic introduction to places you might want to revisit, from small farms to lakeside lookouts.

Plan for good weather and good walking shoes. Tasting rooms are often outdoors or on porches, and a hat and sunscreen help in summer. Spring and fall offer blossoms and color, and fall includes harvest. If you are building a multi-day trip, pair a Leelanau tour with an Old Mission day and a Sleeping Bear day, since all three regions sit within an hour of Traverse City. The Leelanau loop is also a natural start or finish for the Michigan Highway 22 scenic drive, which follows the coast around the peninsula.

Because Leelanau is spread out, think about what else you would like to see on the peninsula and ask your guide for advice. Popular add-ons for a separate day include the harbor village of Leland, the lakeside town of Northport and the lighthouse at the northern tip, as well as farm stands that sell cherries, cider and baked goods.

Visitors who enjoy sparkling wine, cider or fruit wine should mention it in advance. Designated-driver rules are strict in Michigan, so a guided tour is also a sensible, relaxed way for everyone in your party to taste freely.

Leelanau also has a reputation for friendly, family-run tasting rooms, so take advantage of the chance to talk with the people who make the wine. Ask which bottles are only sold at the winery, since many small producers sell their best wines nowhere else. If you plan to ship wine home, check your state's rules in advance and keep receipts handy, and remember that hot cars are hard on bottles in summer.