An underrated cool-climate state: Riesling and sparkling on Lake Michigan peninsulas near the 45th parallel. Updated for 2026.
Michigan is one of America's most underrated cool-climate wine states, and a genuine surprise to anyone who has not been. Its finest vineyards sit far north near Traverse City, on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, which reach into Lake Michigan close to the 45th parallel, the same latitude as parts of Burgundy and Piedmont. The vast lake moderates the climate, extending the growing season and protecting the vines, and the result is vibrant, aromatic cool-climate wine, above all Riesling, the state's signature, plus sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and crisp whites. A second, warmer region in the state's southwest (the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, home to the historic St. Julian) rounds out a scenic, welcoming, and fast-improving wine scene.
Below are the Michigan wineries we recommend most overall, a mix spanning both northern peninsulas and the southwest, from the state's Riesling pioneer to its sparkling specialist and oldest winery. Current as of October 2026.
Michigan's Riesling pioneer
Founded in 1974 when Edward O'Keefe planted the first large-scale vinifera on Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Grand Traverse proved world-class Riesling could grow in northern Michigan. Now the state's largest winery and its Riesling standard-bearer, it is the essential first stop for understanding Michigan wine.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula / Traverse City.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling where Michigan vinifera began; the state's benchmark.
A destination farm estate
A beloved destination with estates on both the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, Black Star Farms pairs well-regarded wines with an inn, creamery, and farm, one of Michigan's most complete and popular wine-country experiences.
Good to know: Tastings, inn, farm. Suttons Bay / Old Mission.
Our tip: Make an afternoon of the farm estate; wine, cheese, and lodging in one scenic spot.
Michigan's sparkling specialist
Founded by Larry Mawby on the Leelanau Peninsula, MAWBY is Michigan's leading traditional-method sparkling house, pouring a fun, wide range of bubbles in a relaxed setting, a distinctive, celebratory stop that showcases 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 shines in bubbles.
Polished Old Mission estate
A polished family estate on Old Mission Peninsula with a popular secret garden, Brys Estate makes well-regarded Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and reds in a scenic hilltop setting, a crowd-pleasing, quality-minded peninsula stop.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and visit the garden; polished, scenic, and welcoming.
Urban aromatic-white specialist
An urban winery in Traverse City's Commons, Left Foot Charley sources from top peninsula growers to make precise, acclaimed Riesling and aromatic whites, a hip, quality-first stop you can reach without leaving town.
Good to know: Tastings; urban winery. Traverse City.
Our tip: Taste the single-vineyard Rieslings in town; precise and acclaimed.
Italian varieties and wine caves
A striking Old Mission estate with rare Italian varieties (grown with innovative vine protection) and dramatic wine caves, Mari Vineyards brings an ambitious, distinctive edge to Michigan wine, a memorable, architecturally impressive stop.
Good to know: Tastings; estate and caves. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Tour the caves and try the Italian varieties; ambitious and distinctive.
Michigan's oldest winery
Founded in 1921 and based in Paw Paw in southwest Michigan, St. Julian is the state's oldest and longest-operating winery (and one of its largest), family-run for four generations, a historic, broad-range anchor of the Lake Michigan Shore region.
Good to know: Tastings; winery. Paw Paw / Lake Michigan Shore.
Our tip: Taste the broad range at Michigan's oldest winery; a century of history.
A family Old Mission favorite
A welcoming family estate on Old Mission Peninsula, Bowers Harbor makes well-regarded Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux-style reds, a friendly, scenic, quality-minded peninsula stop with a loyal following.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and estate reds; friendly, scenic, and well-regarded.
Michigan's wine country splits into two areas. The scenic heart is up north around Traverse City, where the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas jut into Lake Michigan, this is the place for a classic Michigan wine trip, with dozens of wineries, water views, and easy loops on each peninsula (base yourself in Traverse City). The second area is the warmer southwest, the Lake Michigan Shore AVA around Paw Paw and Berrien County, closer to Chicago and home to the historic St. Julian. Decide which area fits your trip (most wine travelers choose the northern peninsulas), use our Old Mission and Leelanau guides to plan a loop, and visit in late summer or fall for harvest and color. Northern Michigan is genuinely cool, so bring layers outside peak summer.
Do not underestimate Michigan; its northern peninsulas sit on the same latitude as great European wine regions and make serious cool-climate wine. Do not try to combine the northern peninsulas and the southwest in one trip, they are hours apart, so pick one. And do not visit expecting big reds, the strength here is Riesling, sparkling, and crisp, aromatic whites.
Which are the best wineries in Michigan?
A well-rounded list includes the Riesling pioneer Chateau Grand Traverse, the destination Black Star Farms, the sparkling specialist MAWBY, the polished Brys Estate, the urban Left Foot Charley, the ambitious Mari Vineyards, the historic St. Julian, and the family-run Bowers Harbor, spanning the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas and the southwest.
What wine is Michigan known for?
Cool-climate wine, above all Riesling, which is the state's signature grape. Michigan also makes excellent sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, and other crisp, aromatic whites. Its best vineyards, on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas near Traverse City, sit close to the 45th parallel and are moderated by Lake Michigan, ideal for vibrant, high-acid cool-climate styles.
Where is Michigan wine country?
Primarily up north near Traverse City, on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas that reach into Lake Michigan, the scenic heart of the state's wine scene. A second, warmer region, the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, lies in the southwest around Paw Paw and Berrien County (closer to Chicago), home to the historic St. Julian winery. The two areas are several hours apart.
Why can Michigan grow good wine?
Its northern peninsulas sit near the 45th parallel, the same latitude as parts of Burgundy and northern Italy, and jut into Lake Michigan. The enormous lake moderates temperatures, extending the growing season and protecting vines from extreme cold, which lets cool-climate grapes like Riesling ripen while keeping the bright acidity that defines the state's best wines.
When should I visit Michigan wine country?
Late summer and fall are ideal, warm days, harvest energy, and brilliant autumn color on the peninsulas, though summer is the liveliest season around Traverse City. Spring is quieter and some wineries keep lighter winter hours, so check ahead off-season. Northern Michigan is genuinely cool, so bring layers outside peak summer, and plan an easy loop on one peninsula per day.
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