Riesling and bay views on a scenic peninsula at the 45th parallel. Updated for 2026.
The Old Mission Peninsula is the birthplace of fine wine in northern Michigan, a narrow, beautiful finger of land that stretches nearly 20 miles up the middle of Grand Traverse Bay from Traverse City. Surrounded almost entirely by water and sitting right on the 45th parallel, it enjoys a powerful lake-moderating effect that makes it one of the Midwest's premier cool-climate vineyards. Since Chateau Grand Traverse planted the first vinifera here in 1974, the peninsula (a federally recognized AVA) has become famous for vibrant Riesling and other aromatic whites, along with sparkling wine and cool-climate reds. Compact and intensely scenic, with bay views at nearly every turn, it is one of the most rewarding, and easiest, wine drives in the eastern U.S.
Below are the Old Mission Peninsula wineries we recommend most, from the founding Riesling pioneer to hilltop estates, a schoolhouse white-wine specialist, and a dramatic cave winery. Current as of October 2026.
Where it all began (1974)
The peninsula's founding winery, Chateau Grand Traverse planted Old Mission's first large-scale vinifera in 1974 and proved northern Michigan could make world-class Riesling. Now the state's largest producer, it remains the essential, history-rich anchor of an Old Mission visit.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Start here; taste the flagship Riesling where Michigan vinifera was born.
A hilltop estate and inn
A grand hilltop estate with a bed-and-breakfast and sweeping water views over both bays, Chateau Chantal pairs well-regarded Riesling and other wines with one of the peninsula's most scenic settings, a polished, romantic stop.
Good to know: Tastings and inn; hilltop estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste with the two-bay view; stay at the inn to make a weekend of it.
Polished wines and a secret garden
A polished family estate known for Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and estate reds, plus a popular culinary 'secret garden', Brys Estate is a scenic, crowd-pleasing, quality-minded Old Mission favorite.
Good to know: Tastings; estate and garden. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and stroll the secret garden; polished and scenic.
A family favorite
A welcoming family estate making well-regarded Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux-style reds, Bowers Harbor is a friendly, scenic peninsula stop with a loyal following and a relaxed, down-to-earth feel.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and estate reds; friendly and well-regarded.
Aromatic whites in a schoolhouse
Pouring in a charming former schoolhouse, Peninsula Cellars is known for excellent aromatic whites, especially Riesling and Gewurztraminer, a characterful, welcoming stop with a strong cool-climate white-wine focus.
Good to know: Tastings; historic schoolhouse. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Try the Gewurztraminer and Riesling in the old schoolhouse; aromatic and charming.
Italian varieties and dramatic caves
An ambitious Old Mission estate growing rare Italian varieties with innovative vine protection, Mari pairs distinctive wines with dramatic wine caves and a striking building, one of the peninsula's most memorable and architecturally impressive stops.
Good to know: Tastings; estate and caves. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Tour the caves and taste the Italian varieties; ambitious and distinctive.
An estate with water views
A scenic Old Mission estate with vineyard and bay views, Hawthorne Vineyards makes well-regarded Riesling, Chardonnay, and reds in a welcoming setting, a relaxed, view-rich peninsula stop.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling with the water view; relaxed and scenic.
A farm-estate tasting room
The Old Mission tasting room of the beloved Black Star Farms, this welcoming stop pours the estate's well-regarded range in a scenic peninsula setting, an easy, quality-minded addition to an Old Mission loop.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Old Mission Peninsula.
Our tip: Taste the Black Star range on Old Mission; welcoming and scenic.
The Old Mission Peninsula is wonderfully compact, nearly all its wineries line Center Road (M-37) and nearby lanes as it runs up the peninsula from Traverse City, so you can loop several in a relaxed day with stunning Grand Traverse Bay views throughout. Base yourself in Traverse City (minutes from the peninsula's base), start at Chateau Grand Traverse for the history and Riesling, and work north, mixing hilltop estates (Chateau Chantal, Brys) with specialists (Peninsula Cellars, Mari). It pairs naturally with the Leelanau Peninsula across the bay for a longer trip. Visit late summer through fall for the best weather and color, and bring a layer, the bay-cooled peninsula stays crisp.
Do not rush; the peninsula is compact and scenic, so savor the bay views and pick a handful of stops. Do not expect bold reds; the strength here is Riesling, aromatic whites, and sparkling. And do not visit off-season without checking hours, some wineries scale back outside the warm months.
What is the Old Mission Peninsula known for?
Cool-climate wine, above all Riesling, and spectacular scenery. This narrow peninsula north of Traverse City sits on the 45th parallel, nearly surrounded by Grand Traverse Bay, which moderates its climate. Since Chateau Grand Traverse planted the first vinifera here in 1974, it has become one of the Midwest's premier wine areas, known for vibrant Riesling and aromatic whites, sparkling wine, and cool-climate reds.
Which Old Mission wineries should I visit?
Standouts include the founding Chateau Grand Traverse, the hilltop Chateau Chantal (with an inn), the polished Brys Estate (with its secret garden), the family Bowers Harbor, the aromatic-white specialist Peninsula Cellars, the cave-and-Italian-variety Mari Vineyards, the scenic Hawthorne Vineyards, and the Old Mission tasting room of Black Star Farms.
Where is the Old Mission Peninsula?
It stretches nearly 20 miles north from Traverse City, Michigan, up the middle of Grand Traverse Bay. Its wineries line Center Road (M-37) and nearby lanes, making it a compact, easy, intensely scenic loop just minutes from downtown Traverse City. It is a federally recognized AVA and sits right on the 45th parallel.
Is Old Mission or Leelanau better for wine?
Both are excellent and complement each other. Old Mission is smaller, more compact, and easy to loop in a day, with its wineries concentrated along one road and surrounded by bay views. Leelanau, across the water, is larger with more wineries spread over a bigger area. Many visitors do a day on each; both excel at Riesling and cool-climate wines.
When should I visit the Old Mission Peninsula?
Late summer and fall are ideal, warm days, harvest, and brilliant color, while summer is the liveliest and busiest season. Spring is quieter, and some wineries keep lighter hours in winter, so check ahead off-season. The bay-cooled peninsula stays crisp, so bring a layer outside peak summer, and plan an easy loop up Center Road.
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