Riesling, sparkling, and dune-and-lake scenery on Michigan's larger wine peninsula. Updated for 2026.
The Leelanau Peninsula is the larger and more sprawling of northern Michigan's two great wine areas, a scenic finger of land northwest of Traverse City, cradled between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau and dotted with orchards, dunes, and charming villages like Suttons Bay and Leland. Like neighboring Old Mission, it sits near the 45th parallel and is profoundly moderated by the surrounding water, giving it a cool-climate character ideal for Riesling, sparkling wine, aromatic whites, and lighter reds. With more wineries spread over a bigger area, Leelanau rewards a leisurely, exploratory approach, and it is anchored by some of Michigan's most beloved names, from the farm-destination Black Star Farms to the sparkling specialist MAWBY.
Below are the Leelanau Peninsula wineries we recommend most, from a complete farm destination and the state's sparkling leader to quality-first estates and scenic hilltop stops. Current as of October 2026.
A complete farm destination
A beloved Suttons Bay destination with an inn, creamery, farm, and tasting room, Black Star Farms is one of Michigan's most complete wine-country experiences, pairing well-regarded wines with farm-to-table charm, the anchor of a Leelanau visit.
Good to know: Tastings, inn, farm. Suttons Bay / Leelanau.
Our tip: Make an afternoon of it; wine, cheese, and lodging on one scenic farm estate.
Michigan's sparkling leader
Founded by Larry Mawby, MAWBY is Michigan's premier traditional-method sparkling house, pouring a fun, wide-ranging lineup of bubbles in a relaxed Leelanau setting, a distinctive, celebratory stop that shows off the state's cool-climate strength.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Suttons Bay / Leelanau.
Our tip: Taste across the sparkling range; Michigan's cool climate was made for bubbles.
A quality-first estate
Set in a historic former fruit farm, Shady Lane Cellars makes well-regarded Riesling, sparkling, and cool-climate reds with a serious, quality-first approach, a welcoming, scenic Leelanau stop with a loyal following.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Leelanau Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and sparkling; quality-first and welcoming.
A longtime Leelanau family name
One of Leelanau's established family wineries, Good Harbor makes an approachable, well-liked range of cool-climate whites and reds, a friendly, down-to-earth stop with deep local roots near Lake Leelanau.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Lake Leelanau / Leelanau.
Our tip: Taste the approachable range; a longtime, family-run Leelanau favorite.
Aromatic whites and cider
Overlooking Lake Leelanau, Bel Lago makes a wide range of wines (strong on aromatic whites) plus cider, in a scenic setting, a welcoming, exploratory stop for cool-climate whites and something a little different. Its winemaker, Blake Lougheed, was named the inaugural Winemaker of the Year at the 2026 Taste Michigan Governor's Cup competition.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Cedar / Leelanau.
Our tip: Try the aromatic whites and cider; scenic and exploratory.
A family estate in Suttons Bay
A family estate near Suttons Bay (run by the Ciccone family), this welcoming winery makes a range of cool-climate wines in a relaxed, scenic Leelanau setting, an easygoing, personal stop on the peninsula.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Suttons Bay / Leelanau.
Our tip: Taste the range in a relaxed family setting; scenic and personal.
A welcoming Leland tasting room
With a welcoming tasting room in the charming village of Leland, Verterra makes a well-liked range of estate-minded wines from Leelanau fruit, an easy, hospitable stop that pairs well with exploring historic Leland's Fishtown.
Good to know: Tastings; tasting room. Leland / Leelanau.
Our tip: Taste in Leland and stroll Fishtown; welcoming and convenient.
A hilltop estate with big views
Perched on one of the area's highest points west of Traverse City, Rove Estate offers sweeping views alongside well-made cool-climate wines in a modern setting, a scenic, contemporary stop at the gateway to the Leelanau area.
Good to know: Tastings; hilltop estate. Traverse City / Leelanau.
Our tip: Taste with the panoramic hilltop view; modern and scenic.
The Leelanau Peninsula is larger and more spread out than Old Mission, so plan a route rather than expecting a single-road loop. Its wineries cluster around Suttons Bay, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, and Leland, following the marked Leelanau wine trail, and there is plenty to see between stops, beaches, dunes, orchards, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore nearby. Base yourself in Traverse City or in a peninsula village like Suttons Bay or Leland, anchor your day at Black Star Farms, add MAWBY for sparkling, and mix in a hilltop view (Rove) and a village tasting room (Verterra in Leland). It pairs naturally with Old Mission across the bay. Visit late summer or fall for the best weather and color, and bring a layer.
Do not expect Old Mission's compactness; Leelanau is larger and spread out, so plan a route and allow drive time. Do not skip the scenery, Sleeping Bear Dunes, beaches, and villages are half the experience. And do not visit off-season without checking hours, some wineries keep lighter winter schedules.
What is the Leelanau Peninsula known for?
Cool-climate Michigan wine and scenery. Northwest of Traverse City between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, it sits near the 45th parallel and is moderated by the surrounding water, ideal for Riesling, sparkling wine, aromatic whites, and lighter reds. It is the larger of northern Michigan's two wine peninsulas, home to beloved names like Black Star Farms and the sparkling specialist MAWBY, and set amid dunes, orchards, and charming villages.
Which Leelanau wineries should I visit?
Standouts include the farm-destination Black Star Farms, the sparkling leader MAWBY, the quality-first Shady Lane Cellars, the longtime Good Harbor, the aromatic-white-and-cider Bel Lago, the family Ciccone, the Leland village tasting room Verterra, and the hilltop Rove Estate.
Where is the Leelanau Peninsula?
Northwest of Traverse City, Michigan, between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, with wineries clustered around Suttons Bay, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, and Leland along a marked wine trail. It is a federally recognized AVA near the 45th parallel, and it borders the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Is Leelanau bigger than Old Mission?
Yes. Leelanau is the larger, more spread-out of the two peninsulas, with more wineries across a bigger area, so it rewards a planned route and a leisurely pace. Old Mission is smaller and more compact, easy to loop along a single road. Many visitors spend a day on each, as the two sit across Grand Traverse Bay from one another.
When should I visit the Leelanau Peninsula?
Late summer and fall are ideal, warm days, harvest, and spectacular autumn color, while summer is the liveliest and busiest. Spring is quieter, and some wineries keep lighter winter hours, so check ahead off-season. Bring a layer, the water-cooled peninsula stays crisp, and leave time for the beaches, dunes, and villages between tastings.
Independent reviews, verified listings, and no pay-to-play.
All Leelanau Peninsula wineries · How we verify · Browse all