20 Best Wineries near Lake Leelanau

“A Hidden Gem in Northern Michigan – We’ll Be Back! This was my first time visiting this part of Northern Michigan, and stumbling upon Laurentide Winery turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. My boyfriend and I were exploring the area and decided to stop in on a whim—and we’re so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel like family. We were greeted immediately with warmth and enthusiasm. It just so happened that there was an open house event the day we visited, and the hospitality was off the charts. We were treated to generous pours and delicious little bites perfectly paired with the wines. The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly, and inviting. The winery has a rustic charm on the outside and is beautifully decorated inside—cozy yet elegant. We ended up buying several bottles thanks to the great deals and the quality of the wine. This was our first visit, but definitely won’t be our last. Laurentide is a must-stop if you’re in the area!“

“Friendly, knowledgeable staff and some great white wines!“

“A peaceful setting to sip the wines and ciders on a sunny day!“

“The wine was lovely and their frozen wine slush option was great too. The staff members were our favorite for the helpful advice in planning the rest of our day checking out other wineries and beautiful spots in Leelanau County. Thank you for making our lovely day even better.“

“Stopped in on Sunday 3/16. Middle of a snow storm but they were open. Guy was working the bar and was pleasant to talk witymh as I enjoyed a pint. He was informed of the industry and welcoming on a crappy day. I look forward to going again.“

“We hosted a meet and greet for friends and family last weekend the night before our daughter’s wedding. Nicole and her staff were amazing. They were so accommodating and their service was awesome . Highly recommend !“

“This was our first time to this vineyard and it is a 11/10. Chuck was very kind and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was fun. The wine was amazing. I will definitely come back.“

“Green Bird is a little slice of Heaven! They even practice sustainable farming via their “flerd“ (flock of chickens and herd of sheep) who rotate through each row of vines. I sat down and immediately signed up for the wine club because I knew this was something I wanted to support! And yes, the server was new this season but very knowledgeable and warm. No high-brow wine snobbery here! P.S. wine and cheese pairings are fantastic.“

“We’ve visited Verterra Winery in the Leelanau Peninsula multiple times in the summer, and it has quickly become one of our favorites! The wine is fantastic—we especially love their sweet white wines. We’ve been to both the tasting room and the vineyard, and both offer such a great experience. The vineyard is absolutely beautiful, especially with its stunning views of the lake.

The staff is friendly and welcoming, which makes the visit even better. If you’re a wine lover exploring the Leelanau Peninsula, Verterra is definitely a must-stop for delicious wine and a memorable experience!“

“Fun staff and good wines!“

“This is a favorite of ours! Beautiful grounds, great location between Traverse city and Suttons bay, a wonderful suite we stay in that is on the first floor. Also, it's just like home from the demeanor of the Inn Keeper to access to all areas including the library and pub, with plush leather seating and decor reminiscent of a classic fox hunting lodge. Breakfasts are special and delicious. Wine tasting room next door, grapes growing alongside, view of the horse pasture and great walking trails. What more could you want??!“

“We are from out of state and just visited Sonoma and Anderson Valley California wine country last month. Hands down, I would choose those region due to welcoming and educational staff. Their wine was also of the same quality. We went in late fall and the scenery was stunning. Loraine and Phil and Bel Lago could not have been more accommodating and provided much information beyond just their winery. I should note, we visited 10 wineries and this was tops. I will say, we went to one of their sister locations (French Valley) and their level
Of service wasn’t exactly as good.“

“Went back for a second time recently with my husband! The owner is very friendly! This place also has the best Sangria!“

“We are locals and frequent Hawkin’s Farm Cellars a lot. The service is friendly and the Thai food is exceptional. My husband especially loves the Pad Thai chicken and I am a huge fan of the Green Curry dish. You could literally close your eyes and just point to anything on the menu and never be disappointed!“

“My family came here for a Leelanau Peninsula wine tasting tour, and this couldn’t have been a more perfect first stop. Mark was our incredible bartender - he was a genuine and friendly informant on all things wine. He even recommended wines based on what our favorites were, you could tell it was a passion. The views were STUNNING and our tasting on a Tuesday was complimentary!! Get on down to this winery right off Lake Michigan.“

“Our first visit since new owners took over during the Covid years. Tracy & Harry have created an atmosphere with elevated interaction with customer attention unmatched in the region. Wine options are fewer than most wineries, but they are all solid offerings. We prefer dry wines, so the Pinot Noirs were our favorites and the whites were also enjoyable. Very much worth a visit for the tasting experience.“

“Beautiful campus. The tasting room is very nice. Love the building structure. The wines are always good the spirits are OK. Most of the staff was wonderful and interactive. One was kind of rude and really didn't know what she was talking about when discussing spirits and mixed drinks. If she doesn't know, she should just say she doesn't know. Overall, good place to try some new or an old favorite from Black Star.“

“For exceptional sparkling wines in a picturesque setting, look no further than Mawby. They have a truly impressive selection, and all of the wines I sampled (Green, Gold, and Mille 2019) were fantastic. On top of that, the staff are top notch, not just in the service they provide, but also in their knowledge of the many different wines Mawby produces.

And if sparkling wines aren't your jam, their sister winery, Big Little Wines, is on the other side of the building. So if you're in the area, it's definitely worth a stop. You won't regret it.“

“Great new spot! Liked it so much we ate there twice this week. Good wine, great food and wonderful service. Our new favorite place in Leelanau.“

“Delicious ciders. Tried the Sangria and the Apple Crisp. Both were very tasty. Price was fine. We went and sat out on the patio chairs and enjoyed the view of the bay and the surrounding area. Very nice. Must be a popular place with popular drink because had some local customers ordering A LOT of the beverages to take home. Service was excellent and friendly. Highly recommended if you like hard ciders.“