How does Traverse City wine country differ from the Petoskey Wine Region?

Traverse City's two peninsulas (11 wineries on Old Mission Peninsula and 30 wineries on Leelanau Peninsula) sit along the 45th Parallel, where deep Grand Traverse Bay waters buffer classic European vinifera like Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and method-champenoise sparkling wine. Sixty miles north, the Petoskey / Tip of the Mitt AVA (14 trail wineries plus 11 cideries, distilleries, and breweries) experiences colder winters and specializes in cold-hardy hybrid grapes (Marquette, Frontenac Gris, La Crescent), farm ciders, maple wine, and craft spirits spread between Walloon Lake, Boyne City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix.

Which Traverse City and Petoskey wineries have heated winter igloos or snowshoe trails?

For snowshoeing and winter tasting, Brys Estate on Old Mission marks 1-mile and intermediate winter trails with spiked hot cider, Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay offers 3+ miles of groomed trails with weekend snowshoe rentals and its Hearth & Vine Cafe, Aurora Cellars and 45 North connect via the Leelanau Vine-to-Wine snowshoe trail and bookable heated igloos, Boyne Valley Vineyards near Petoskey pairs heated winter igloos with free snowshoe use on connected preserve trails, and Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs combines a heated tent cafe with winter snowshoe and sledding hills.

How should mixed groups combine wineries, hard cideries, and distilleries in one day?

Because almost all vineyard tasting rooms close between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM (and earlier from November through April), schedule 2 or 3 vineyard and orchard cidery stops between 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM, then transition to a walkable downtown craft distillery lounge (such as Mammoth Distilling or Grand Traverse Distillery in Traverse City, or Gypsy Distillery, High Five Spirits, and Muskrat Distilling around Petoskey and Boyne City) for evening cocktails.

Do Northern Michigan wineries require reservations or allow walk-ins?

Walk-in tastings work well for groups of 2 to 4 at casual rooms like Left Foot Charley, Tandem Ciders, Bonobo, Gypsy Distillery, and Pond Hill Farm. However, seated flights, elevated decks (such as Brys Estate), and all winter heated igloos (Aurora Cellars, Boyne Valley Vineyards, Rudbeckia) require advance online reservations, and groups of 6 to 8 or more are strictly capped or turned away without prior booking.

Which wineries and tasting rooms are truly dog friendly in winter?

Michigan health codes prohibit pets inside tasting rooms that prepare food, meaning most summer 'dog-friendly patio' wineries only allow dogs on cold outdoor lawns in winter. For cold-weather visits with a dog, choose venues with heated covered outdoor pavilions that welcome dogs (such as Bowers Harbor Vineyards on Old Mission) or spirits lounges without food kitchens that allow dogs indoors (such as High Five Spirits in downtown Petoskey).

Northern Michigan / Wine, Cider & Spirits Field Guide

From 45th Parallel vineyards to winter igloos, orchards and stillhouses.

Most wine lists stop at summer brochure blurbs. This field guide connects 102 mapped tasting rooms across Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula, Traverse City, Petoskey, Walloon Lake, Boyne and Charlevoix: where to book a heated winter dome or snowshoe trail, which orchards pour dry hard cider, and how to hand off your afternoon loop to a craft distillery when the vineyards close at 5:00 PM.

Explore the 18 anchor tasting stops

18 anchor dossiers + 102-venue planner crosswalk · built by Chris Izworski · reviewed October 28, 2026 · no paid placement

Vineyard rows on Old Mission Peninsula overlooking Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City, Michigan — Photo: stanthejeep · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Old Mission Peninsula vineyard above Grand Traverse Bay · growing-season reference

Chateau Chantal vineyard and hilltop tasting room on Old Mission Peninsula — Photo: Chateau Chantal · Attribution license · Chateau Chantal on Old Mission ridge · warm-season reference

Panorama of Petoskey and Little Traverse Bay looking north along US-131 in Emmet County — Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Petoskey & Little Traverse Bay from US-131, August 2011 · summer reference

01 · Two distinct wine climates45th Parallel vinifera (Old Mission & Leelanau) vs. Tip of the Mitt cold-hardy hybrids (Petoskey & Walloon)

02 · Winter igloos & snowshoe loopsBookable heated domes, covered pavilions, and groomed vineyard snowshoe trails from Dec through March

03 · Hard cider & after-5PM spiritsHeirloom apple cideries for mixed groups plus downtown distilleries open after vineyards close

Critical tasting logistics · source checked Oct 28, 2026

Four rules that save a Traverse City or Petoskey tasting day from falling apart.

1. Never try two peninsulas or two far clusters in one afternoon: Driving from Leelanau to Old Mission or from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs mid-day burns 60 to 75 minutes of tasting hours. Pick one corridor per day. 2. Respect the 5:00 PM vineyard cutoff: Most wineries close at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM (and switch to Thu-Sun or Fri-Sun schedules in winter); save downtown distilleries (Mammoth, Gypsy, High Five, Muskrat, Grand Traverse Distillery) for after 4:30 PM. 3. Reservations & group caps: Heated winter igloos and seated decks require advance booking, and parties of 6 to 8+ are routinely turned away without reservations. 4. Winter dog rules: Michigan health codes bar pets inside food-serving tasting rooms; in cold weather, choose heated dog-friendly shelters (Bowers Harbor) or kitchen-free indoor lounges (High Five Spirits).

Open 77-Venue TC Route Planner ↗Open 25-Venue Petoskey Planner ↗

Auto-calibrated to Michigan calendar · Winter Window

What is in season right now across Traverse City & Petoskey

Winter Igloos, Snowshoe Vineyards & Apres-Ski Distilleries

Automatic seasonal focus for late fall through March: bookable heated vineyard igloos (Aurora Cellars, Boyne Valley Vineyards, Rudbeckia), groomed snowshoe-and-sip loops (Brys Estate, Black Star Farms, 45 North, Pond Hill Farm), heated dog-friendly shelters (Bowers Harbor), and downtown craft distilleries open after vineyards close at 5:00 PM.

Top stops for this season: Brys Estate · Black Star Farms · Aurora & 45 North · Boyne Valley Vineyards · Pond Hill Farm · Mammoth & GT Distillery

Updates automatically with the Michigan calendar (America/Detroit) or click any season tab above to plan ahead.

Choose your tasting architecture

Four ways to build a Northern Michigan tasting day

Switch between winter dome/snowshoe outings, classic vineyard loops, heritage hard cider trails, and evening craft-spirits handoffs before filtering the 18 anchor stops below.

MODE 01 · WINTER IGLOOS, FIREPITS & SNOWSHOE VINEYARDS

Sip inside a heated dome or snowshoe between vineyard rows

From November through March, Northern Michigan wine country shifts to heated igloos, vineyard snowshoe loops, and indoor hearth lounges. On Old Mission, Brys Estate grooms 1-mile and intermediate winter snowshoe trails with spiked hot cider, and Bowers Harbor heats its covered dog-friendly pavilion. In Leelanau, Black Star Farms rents snowshoes on site for 3+ miles of trails alongside its Hearth & Vine Cafe, while Aurora Cellars, 45 North, and BluStone link along the Vine-to-Wine snowshoe corridor with bookable heated domes. In Petoskey and Harbor Springs, Boyne Valley Vineyards pairs heated igloos with complimentary snowshoe trails, Rudbeckia/Burnt Marshmallow runs hillside igloos and firepits, and Pond Hill Farm hosts a heated greenhouse tent above winter sledding and snowshoe hills.

Heated igloos and seated winter towers require advance reservations (often $25-$100 dome rental or food/beverage minimums) and cap groups at 6-8 guests. Always book domes before driving.

The Northern Michigan tasting atlas

Filter 18 problem-solving anchor stops.

Filter by craft category, geographic corridor, winter/meal feature, and booking rule. Then launch the full road-routing planner for Traverse City (77 venues) or Petoskey (25 venues).

Corridor / Region Winter & trip feature Booking & walk-in rule Season fit

18 of 18 Northern Michigan anchor tasting rooms shown · verify seasonal hours, igloo bookings and group rules before driving.

Old Mission Peninsula · Center Road Ridge · Winery & Inn

Chateau Chantal

Seated flights & winter wine dinners · reserve for groups

Perched atop a high glacial ridge on Center Road with simultaneous views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bay, Chateau Chantal is Old Mission's signature panorama stop, pouring estate Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and real late-harvest ice wine.

In winter and shoulder seasons, indoor fireplace seating, cellar tours, and multi-course wine dinners keep the hilltop vibrant when summer patios close.

The tasting moveMake this your northernmost scenic anchor on a 3-stop Center Road loop, then work south toward Brys Estate and Bowers Harbor so your final stop is closest to Traverse City.

Logistics & rules: Walk-ins for 2-4 are accommodated when space allows, but seated flights and groups of 6+ should book ahead online. Confirm seasonal winter closing hours (typically 5:00 PM in winter).

Route on Old Mission Map ↗Official winery & bookings ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Vineyard rows on Old Mission Peninsula above East Grand Traverse Bay — Photo: stanthejeep · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Old Mission Peninsula vineyard corridor · growing-season reference

Old Mission Peninsula · Blue Water Road · Winery & Snowshoe Trails

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

Reservation recommended · Winter snowshoe trailhead

A 155-acre estate off Blue Water Road famous for structured Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and the Secret Garden lavender farm in summer - and one of Northern Michigan's premier marked vineyard snowshoe trail networks in winter.

During winter months, Brys marks a beginner 1-mile Green Trail and intermediate Purple Trail across the snow-covered estate, pairing trail passes with spiked hot cider, mulled wine, and firepit stops.

The tasting moveBook a morning or early-afternoon seated flight (or winter snowshoe pass) and add a charcuterie cheese board; pair with nearby Bowers Harbor 5 minutes south.

Logistics & rules: Upper Deck and indoor table tastings strongly favor advance Tock reservations. Strict group size caps apply; limos and buses require advance scheduling.

Open Brys Estate dossier ↗Official winery & winter trails ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

West Grand Traverse Bay shoreline along Old Mission Peninsula near Bowers Harbor, Michigan — Photo: Ginothewall30 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · West Grand Traverse Bay along Old Mission Peninsula, July 2014 · warm-season reference

Old Mission Peninsula · Bowers Harbor · Wine, Hard Cider & Dog-Friendly

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Heated dog-friendly pavilion · Wine + Spirit Cider

Overlooking West Bay at Bowers Harbor, this welcoming family vineyard pours single-vineyard Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc, and house-fermented Spirit Cidery hard ciders (apple, cherry, ginger, and hopped).

Solves two huge visitor headaches: mixed wine/cider groups and cold-weather dog travel - dogs are welcomed year-round inside the heated outdoor pavilion and firepit tables.

The tasting moveReserve a heated table on the pavilion if traveling with a dog in late fall or winter, and split a wine flight with a Spirit Cidery flight.

Logistics & rules: Table reservations are recommended on weekends and during winter pavilion season. Check posted seasonal hours before departure.

Open Bowers Harbor dossier ↗Official winery & reservations ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Historic Mission Point Lighthouse near the 45th Parallel at the northern tip of Old Mission Peninsula — Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mission Point Light at the northern tip of Old Mission, July 2010 · 6 miles north of 2 Lads

Old Mission Peninsula · Smokey Hollow Road · Cool-Climate Reds & Sparkling

2 Lads Winery

Serious cool-climate reds & sparkling · modernist glass room

A modernist steel-and-glass gravity-flow winery above East Grand Traverse Bay dedicated to dry, food-worthy Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and traditional-method sparkling wines rather than sweet fruit blends.

Pairs effortlessly with a drive out to the 45th Parallel sign and historic Mission Point Lighthouse at the northern tip of the peninsula.

The tasting moveStart at Mission Point Lighthouse in the morning, then hit 2 Lads for a dry red and sparkling flight with curated cheese/charcuterie before heading south on Center Road.

Logistics & rules: Seated tastings strongly encourage reservations; groups over 6 require advance arrangement.

Open 2 Lads dossier ↗Official winery & bookings ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Downtown Suttons Bay along M-22 on the Leelanau Peninsula — Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Suttons Bay M-22 corridor, August 2011 · 3 miles north of Black Star Farms

Leelanau Peninsula · Suttons Bay (M-22) · Wine, Brandy, Cider, Cafe & Snowshoe

Black Star Farms Suttons Bay

All-season estate anchor · Snowshoe rentals + Hearth & Vine Cafe

A 160-acre equestrian and vineyard estate just south of Suttons Bay village that solves every mixed-group request in one stop: award-winning Arcturos Riesling and reds, small-batch Spirit of the Vineyard fruit brandies and grappa, hard cider, and hot lunch at the Hearth & Vine Cafe.

In winter, Black Star grooms 3+ miles of estate trails, offers weekend on-site snowshoe rentals, and serves mulled wine and hearty soup on the heated Terrace Patio.

The tasting moveAnchor your midday Leelanau loop here for snowshoeing and a real sit-down lunch at Hearth & Vine, then hop 4 minutes west to MAWBY for sparkling wine.

Logistics & rules: Tasting room is walk-in friendly for small groups; reserve ahead for Hearth & Vine dining or groups of 8+.

Open Black Star dossier ↗Official estate, cafe & winter trails ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Green vineyard rows on the hills of the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan — Photo: Iulus Ascanius · Public domain · Leelanau Peninsula hillside vineyard · growing-season reference

Leelanau Peninsula · Elm Valley Road (Suttons Bay) · Sparkling Wine Specialist

MAWBY Sparkling Wines

100% Sparkling Wine House · Walk-in & seated flights

Michigan's dedicated sparkling wine producer since 1973, pouring everything from bone-dry traditional-method Blanc de Blancs and Rosé to lively tank-method fizz on a sunny hillside between Traverse City and Suttons Bay.

Because it pours exclusively sparkling wine (plus sister label bigLITTLE still wines next door), it breaks up palate fatigue on a Riesling-heavy Leelanau loop.

The tasting moveMake MAWBY your first celebratory stop of the day at 11:30 AM, then continue 4 minutes east to Black Star Farms or north into Suttons Bay village.

Logistics & rules: Walk-ins welcome for small groups; reservations recommended for seated flights on weekends.

Open MAWBY dossier ↗Official sparkling tasting room ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Scenic view across Lake Leelanau near Fountain Point in Leelanau County, Michigan — Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lake Leelanau near Fountain Point and the Vine-to-Wine corridor · warm-season reference

Leelanau Peninsula · Lake Leelanau / Suttons Bay · Igloos & Snowshoe Corridor

Aurora Cellars & 45 North Vineyard (Vine-to-Wine Corridor)

Bookable winter igloos · Connected snowshoe trail network

In the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula between Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay, Aurora Cellars and neighboring 45 North Vineyard (plus BluStone) form Northern Michigan's flagship winter dome and snowshoe wine corridor.

Aurora books cozy heated winter igloos with hot soup and bread baskets, while 45 North grooms a 2-mile wooded snowshoe loop that links into the multi-winery Vine-to-Wine winter trail.

The tasting moveBook an afternoon heated igloo at Aurora Cellars or snowshoe the wooded loop at 45 North before warming up with Cabernet Franc and Riesling.

Logistics & rules: Heated igloos require advance online reservation and carry group caps (typically up to 6-8 guests). Verify snow depth on our Michigan Snow Depth Map before planning a snowshoe trek.

Route on Leelanau Map ↗Official Aurora Cellars & igloos ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Rows of fruit orchard trees in northern Michigan agricultural country — Photo: Lynn Betts / USDA NRCS · Public domain · Michigan fruit orchard rows · regional orchard reference

Leelanau Peninsula · Setterbo Road (Suttons Bay) · Heritage Hard Cidery

Tandem Ciders

Walk-in friendly · Dry, semi-dry & barrel-aged hard ciders

Tucked along Setterbo Road just north of Suttons Bay, Tandem Ciders presses local Leelanau orchard apples into crisp English-pub style ciders - from bone-dry Smackintosh and crabapple blends to cherry-infused and oak-aged scrumpy.

A relaxed, zero-pretension orchard taproom with an outdoor firepit, pint pours, and growler fills that beer and cider lovers rave about on a wine-heavy trip.

The tasting moveDrop in after visiting Suttons Bay village or Aurora/45 North - it is 5 minutes off M-22 and requires no formal reservation for small groups.

Logistics & rules: Walk-in friendly; groups of 8+ should call ahead. Check winter afternoon closing hours (often 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM).

Explore Suttons Bay stops ↗Official cidery & taplist ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Blue waters of West Grand Traverse Bay viewed from the Leelanau shoreline near Suttons Bay Township — Photo: Notorious4life · CC0 1.0 Public Domain · West Grand Traverse Bay along the M-22 Leelanau shore · warm-season reference

Leelanau Peninsula · M-22 West Bay Shore · Estate Cidery & Winery

Two K Farms Cidery & Winery

Walk-in friendly · Estate hard cider, fruit wine & West Bay view

Set on a historic fruit orchard overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay along M-22 between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, Two K Farms grows and ferments its own heritage cider apples, pears, cherries, and grapes on site.

Offers one of the easiest M-22 bayfront stops where cider drinkers and wine drinkers can order side-by-side flights without leaving the main corridor.

The tasting movePair Two K Farms with Black Star Farms and MAWBY (all within 6 minutes of each other) for a compact southern Leelanau afternoon.

Logistics & rules: Walk-in friendly for couples and small groups; check seasonal winter days of operation before driving.

Route on Leelanau Map ↗Official cidery & winery ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Historic weathered fishing shanties along the Leland River at Fishtown in Leland, Michigan — Photo: Richard Hurd · CC BY 2.0 · Historic Fishtown in Leland, June 2019 · 2 blocks from VerTerra Leland

Leelanau Peninsula · Leland & Northport Ridge · Winery & Hard Cider

VerTerra Winery (Leland Downtown & The Ridge)

Walkable Fishtown harbor pairing · Wine + Chaos Hard Cider

VerTerra operates two complementary experiences on Leelanau: a walkable River Street tasting room in Leland two blocks from Historic Fishtown, and The Ridge at VerTerra - a panoramic hilltop vineyard lounge south of Northport.

Lets you combine a harbor walk through Fishtown (and a pretzel sandwich from Village Cheese Shanty in season) with dry Rosé, Pinot Blanc, and Chaos Hard Ciders.

The tasting movePark once in Leland, walk Historic Fishtown and Lake Michigan's Vans Beach, then taste at VerTerra Leland before heading along Lake Leelanau.

Logistics & rules: Leland tasting room is walk-in friendly; The Ridge hilltop site operates seasonally - confirm winter/spring dates on VerTerra's site.

Open VerTerra dossier ↗Official winery & locations ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Historic 1885 buff-brick buildings at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City, Michigan — Photo: w_lemay · CC0 1.0 Public Domain · The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, July 2017 · home of Left Foot Charley

Traverse City · The Village at Grand Traverse Commons · Urban Winery & Cidery

Left Foot Charley Winery & Cidery

Year-round indoor campus · Single-vineyard whites + Heirloom Cider

Housed in the 1885 laundry building of the historic Northern Michigan Asylum (now The Village at Grand Traverse Commons), Left Foot Charley partners with 18 northern Michigan growers to craft single-vineyard Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Blaufränkisch, and iconic Cinnamon Girl and Northern Spy hard ciders.

Because it sits inside the walkable Grand Traverse Commons complex alongside Trattoria Stella, Spanglish, Higher Grounds Coffee, and Earthen Ales, it is the #1 all-weather and winter tasting stop in Traverse City.

The tasting moveSpend a snowy or rainy afternoon walking the Commons brick corridors, taste a mixed wine-and-cider flight in the Barrel Room or tasting room, and stay on campus for dinner.

Logistics & rules: Open year-round (commonly until 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM on weekends - later than rural peninsula wineries). Groups of 8+ should book the Barrel Room ahead.

Open Left Foot Charley dossier ↗Official winery & cidery ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Historic brick storefronts along Front Street in downtown Traverse City, Michigan — Photo: w_lemay · CC0 1.0 Public Domain · Downtown Traverse City Front Street district · 1 block from Grand Traverse Distillery & Warehouse District

Traverse City · Warehouse District & Downtown · Bourbon, Rye, Gin & Cocktails

Mammoth Distilling & Grand Traverse Distillery (Downtown TC Spirits Loop)

Open past 5:00 PM · Walkable after-vineyard cocktail handoff

When Old Mission and Leelanau wineries close their doors at 5:00 PM, downtown Traverse City's craft spirits lounges take over: Mammoth Distilling's Garland Street cocktail lounge (pouring Rosen rye, northern bourbon, and cherry bounce) and Grand Traverse Distillery's grain-to-bottle tasting room steps from Front Street.

Turns a rush-against-the-clock 4-winery afternoon into a relaxed 2-winery afternoon followed by a walkable downtown cocktail and dinner evening where your car stays parked at the hotel.

The tasting moveReturn from the peninsula by 4:45 PM, park once in downtown Traverse City, and walk between Mammoth Distilling, Grand Traverse Distillery, and Front Street restaurants.

Logistics & rules: Walk-in cocktail and flight service into the evening (Mammoth TC operates late on Fridays and Saturdays). Must be 21+ for spirit flights.

Open TC Spirits & Breweries Guide ↗Official Mammoth Distilling ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Panorama of the Petoskey and US-131 valley corridor looking north toward Little Traverse Bay — Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · US-131 corridor entering Petoskey, August 2011 · summer reference

Petoskey & Walloon Lake · US-131 Corridor · Igloos, Treehouse & Snowshoeing

Boyne Valley Vineyards

Heated winter igloos + complimentary snowshoes · Apres-ski favorite

Located on US-131 between Walloon Lake and Petoskey (just minutes north of Boyne Mountain Resort), Boyne Valley Vineyards pours cold-hardy Marquette, Frontenac Blanc, La Crescent, and hard ciders in a Scandinavian-inspired barn with a 25-foot treehouse deck.

In winter, guests can book private heated igloos for up to 6 people and borrow complimentary snowshoes to trek through the vineyard into the connected North Central Michigan College nature preserve trails.

The tasting moveMake this your #1 apres-ski or afternoon anchor between Boyne Mountain and Petoskey, pairing a 1-hour snowshoe loop with a heated igloo flight.

Logistics & rules: Open year-round (typically daily at 11:00 AM; closes at 5:00 PM Tue-Thu/Sun and 6:00 PM-7:00 PM Fri-Sat). Heated igloos require advance online reservation.

Open Petoskey dossier & map ↗Official winery & igloo booking ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Clear blue waters and wooded shoreline of Walloon Lake in northern Michigan — Photo: Notorious4life · CC0 1.0 Public Domain · Walloon Lake shoreline, July 2019 · 2 miles from Rudbeckia & Walloon Lake Winery

Walloon Lake · Lake Grove & Intertown Roads · Wine, Spirits, Beer & Cider

Rudbeckia Winery / Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery & Walloon Lake Winery

Wine + Spirits + Beer under one roof · Hillside igloos & firepits

High on Lake Grove Road overlooking Walloon Lake, Rudbeckia Farm and its co-located Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery pour estate cold-hardy wine, small-batch vodka/bourbon/gin/agave spirits, craft beer, and cider - just 5 minutes from Walloon Lake Winery's cordwood tasting barn on Intertown Road.

Together with Boyne Valley Vineyards and Mackinaw Trail, this Walloon Lake triangle forms the tightest 15-minute loop in the Petoskey Wine Region, with heated winter igloos and firepits at Rudbeckia.

The tasting moveCombine Walloon Lake Winery, Boyne Valley Vineyards, and Rudbeckia into a single afternoon loop with under 20 minutes of total driving between stops.

Logistics & rules: Rudbeckia / Burnt Marshmallow operates year-round with winter igloo reservations; Walloon Lake Winery shifts hours seasonally - confirm before driving.

Open Walloon Lake Wine Loop ↗Official Rudbeckia & Brewstillery ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Little Traverse Bay and Emmet County hills viewed near Petoskey and Bay View, Michigan — Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Little Traverse Bay and Petoskey hills, August 2011 · 3 miles west of Petoskey Farms

Petoskey · Shaw Road (3 Miles East of Downtown) · Winery, Cider & Coffeehouse

Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery

Enclosed heated hilltop patio · Wood-fired pizza + full coffeehouse

Three miles east of downtown Petoskey, this 22-acre hilltop farm overlooks rolling Emmet County ridges and pours estate Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Traminette, hard apple/cherry cider, and espresso drinks from its on-site coffeehouse alongside wood-fired pizza and charcuterie.

Its enclosed, heated four-season patio and full espresso bar make it equally welcoming for designated drivers, winter visitors, and afternoon lunch stops.

The tasting movePair Petoskey Farms with nearby Maple Moon Sugarbush (the country's first maple winery and cidery, 4 minutes north on Atkins Road) before heading into downtown Petoskey.

Logistics & rules: Open year-round (typically Mon-Sat starting at 11:00 AM, Sun 12:00 PM-5:00 PM). Due to food preparation, pets are only permitted on outdoor lawn seating - not inside the heated patio.

Open Petoskey Farms dossier ↗Official winery & hours ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Early evening sky over Little Traverse Bay in Petoskey, Michigan — Photo: rboed · CC BY 2.0 · Early evening on Little Traverse Bay in Petoskey · sunset & evening spirits corridor

Petoskey & Bay Harbor · Charlevoix Ave & Howard St · Craft Distilleries

Gypsy Distillery, High Five Spirits & Mammoth Bay Harbor

Open into the evening · Indoor dog-friendly option at High Five

Petoskey's spirits scene anchors the evening after the vineyards close: Gypsy Distillery fills a 42,000-sq-ft converted equestrian center above Little Traverse Bay; High Five Spirits pours Petoskey Stone Gin and Mackinac Island Rum on Howard Street in the walkable Gaslight District; and Mammoth Distilling runs a cozy cocktail lounge in Bay Harbor Village (plus Muskrat Distilling in Boyne City).

High Five Spirits does not operate a food kitchen, so well-behaved dogs are welcomed indoors year-round - a rare winter win in downtown Petoskey.

The tasting moveFinish your Petoskey or Walloon winery loop by 4:30 PM, then stop at Gypsy Distillery for sunset bay views or walk between High Five Spirits and Beards Brewery in the Gaslight District.

Logistics & rules: Evening cocktail and tasting hours run later than wineries (often until 8:00 PM-10:00 PM on weekends). Walk-in friendly.

Open Petoskey Distilleries Guide ↗Official High Five Spirits ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Downtown Harbor Springs along M-119 near Little Traverse Bay in Emmet County — Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · M-119 in Harbor Springs, August 2011 · 5 miles south of Pond Hill Farm

Harbor Springs · M-119 Tunnel of Trees · Winery, Cidery, Brewery, Cafe & Trails

Pond Hill Farm

Year-round M-119 destination · Heated tent cafe + winter snowshoe & sledding

Five miles north of Harbor Springs on M-119 at the gateway to the Tunnel of Trees, Pond Hill Farm is a working four-season farm pouring Harbor Springs Vineyards wine, Tunnel Vision brewery beers, and farm-pressed hard ciders alongside a farm-to-table Garden Cafe.

In winter (especially during Nub's Nob and Highlands ski weekends), Pond Hill keeps a heated greenhouse tent running with hot pizzas, soup, live music, groomed winter snowshoe/fat-tire trails, and a vineyard sledding hill.

The tasting movePair Pond Hill Farm with a scenic drive on M-119 or an apres-ski afternoon from Nub's Nob / The Highlands (12 minutes away).

Logistics & rules: Walk-in friendly for families, skiers, and mixed groups. Check winter weekday vs. weekend cafe and trail hours on Pond Hill's site.

Open Tunnel of Trees Wine Guide ↗Official farm, cafe & calendar ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Historic 1918 fieldstone towers and barns at Castle Farms (Loeb Farms Complex) in Charlevoix, Michigan — Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Historic Castle Farms stone complex in Charlevoix, June 2015 · home of 1918 Cellars

Charlevoix & Chain of Lakes · M-66 / US-31 · Historic Stone Castle Winery

1918 Cellars at Castle Farms & the Charlevoix Corridor

Historic 1918 stone complex · Pairs with Spare Key & Royal Farms

Set inside the soaring 1918 Normandy-style fieldstone barns of Castle Farms in Charlevoix, 1918 Cellars pours small-batch Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Merlot, and fruit wines, anchoring the western half of the Petoskey Wine Region alongside Spare Key Winery & Distillery (Bay Shore), Blu Dot Vineyard, and Royal Farms Cidery & Winery in Ellsworth.

Creates a distinct western US-31 / Chain of Lakes tasting day between Petoskey, Charlevoix's Lake Michigan pier light, and Torch Lake.

The tasting moveStart at Spare Key on Upper Bay Shore Road, continue to 1918 Cellars at Castle Farms and Blu Dot in Charlevoix, and finish with hard cider and farm-market pasties at Royal Farms in Ellsworth.

Logistics & rules: Tasting room visits do not require full Castle tour admission, though special wedding/event closures can affect weekend hours - check ahead before driving.

Open Charlevoix Wine Corridor ↗Official 1918 Cellars & hours ↗View place on Google Maps ↗

Complete 102-venue regional crosswalk

Open the interactive road-routing planner for your exact corridor

Once you choose a peninsula or bay cluster above, use the dedicated corridor planners below to select your exact stops, order them on real roads, and check every arrival against posted tasting-room hours.

01 · Old Mission Peninsula (11 Wineries + Distilling)

Narrow 19-mile ridge splitting East and West Grand Traverse Bay along the 45th Parallel. Shortest between-stop drives (median 4-6 mins).

Mapped Wineries (11): Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, Bowers Harbor, 2 Lads, Mari Vineyards, Chateau Grand Traverse, Bonobo, Peninsula Cellars, Hawthorne Vineyards, Tabone Vineyards, Black Star Farms Old Mission.
Cider & Spirits: Spirit Cidery (at Bowers Harbor), Old Mission Distilling (at Peninsula Cellars / Seven Hills).
Winter & Lunch Highlights: Brys Estate winter snowshoe trails; Bowers Harbor heated dog-friendly pavilion; audited Old Mission lunch planner.

Old Mission Winery Map ↗ Old Mission Lunch Planner ↗ Old Mission vs. Leelanau ↗

02 · Leelanau Peninsula & Suttons Bay (30 Wineries + Cideries)

Harbor villages, M-22 bay views, sparkling wine specialists, and the Vine-to-Wine winter snowshoe and heated igloo corridor.

Key Wineries (30): Black Star Farms Suttons Bay, MAWBY, bigLITTLE, Aurora Cellars, 45 North, BluStone, Shady Lane, Rove Estate, Dune Bird, VerTerra (Leland & The Ridge), Bel Lago, Good Harbor, Chateau Fontaine, Boathouse, Amoritas, Laurentide, French Valley, Green Bird Organic, Soul Squeeze, Ciccone, Silver Leaf, Willow, Three Trees, Gilchrist Farm, Brengman Family.
Hard Cideries: Tandem Ciders, Two K Farms Cidery & Winery, Suttons Bay Ciders, Green Bird Organic.

Leelanau Winery Map ↗ Suttons Bay 13-Stop Guide ↗ Wineries With Views ↗

03 · Traverse City Commons, Warehouse & 8th Street (31 Venues)

Walkable urban wineries, heirloom hard cideries, craft breweries, and evening distillery lounges that stay open after 5:00 PM.

Urban Wine & Cider: Left Foot Charley Winery & Cidery (Grand Traverse Commons), The Barrel Room, Farm Club (M-22 border).
Craft Distilleries: Mammoth Distilling TC Cocktail Lounge, Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City Whiskey Co. Stillhouse, Ethanology (Elk Rapids).
Craft Breweries (22): The Filling Station, Right Brain, Rare Bird, Earthen Ales, Silver Spruce, Workshop, North Peak, Mackinaw Brewing, Hop Lot (Suttons Bay igloos).

TC Distilleries & Breweries ↗ All 77 TC Venue Hours ↗ Group & Shuttle Guide ↗

04 · Petoskey, Walloon Lake, Boyne, Harbor Springs & Charlevoix (25 Venues)

Tip of the Mitt AVA cold-hardy vineyards, maple sugarbush wine, Tunnel of Trees farm stops, and four craft distilleries.

14 Trail Wineries: Boyne Valley Vineyards, Walloon Lake Winery, Rudbeckia, Petoskey Farms, Mackinaw Trail, Resort Pike Cidery & Winery, Maple Moon Sugarbush, Pond Hill Farm, Crooked Vine, Seasons of the North, Spare Key Winery & Distillery, Blu Dot, 1918 Cellars (Castle Farms), Royal Farms, Cellar 1914, Lost Cellars / Vanderbilt Vines.
Distilleries & Breweries: Gypsy Distillery, High Five Spirits, Mammoth Distilling Bay Harbor, Muskrat Distilling, Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery, Petoskey Brewing, Beards Brewery, Stiggs, Boyne City Taproom, Elder Piper Beer + Cider.

Petoskey Route Planner ↗ Walloon Lake Loop ↗ Petoskey Distilleries ↗ Charlevoix Wineries ↗ All 25 Petoskey Hours ↗

The non-negotiable tasting rule

Plan the sober driver, confirm seasonal hours, and respect group caps.

Country roads along M-22, Center Road, US-131, and M-119 are heavily patrolled and rural Uber/Lyft coverage is sparse or nonexistent outside downtown Traverse City and Petoskey. Designate a non-drinking driver (using our planners' DD mode) or book a licensed shuttle before tasting. From November through April, many tasting rooms run Thursday-Sunday or Friday-Sunday schedules closing at 5:00 PM; always verify day-of hours and igloo reservations directly with the venue.

77 Traverse City Tasting Room Hours ↗ · 25 Petoskey Area Tasting Room Hours ↗ · Shuttle & Group Planning Rules ↗