Lake Leelanau Wine Country
A village cradled between Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan, at the center of one of the Midwest's most celebrated cool-climate wine trails.
About Lake Leelanau Wine Country
Lake Leelanau is a small village at the geographic heart of the Leelanau Peninsula, the slender finger of land northwest of Traverse City that has become Michigan's most acclaimed wine trail. Surrounded by water on nearly every side, by narrow Lake Leelanau to the east and the vast expanse of Lake Michigan to the west, the area enjoys a moderated, lake-cooled climate ideally suited to aromatic whites and cool-climate reds.
The vineyards around Lake Leelanau specialize in Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, along with a growing reputation for traditional-method sparkling wine. Estates like Good Harbor, Chateau Fontaine, and Aurora Cellars pair serious winemaking with rolling orchard-and-vineyard scenery. It makes an easy, picturesque base for touring the peninsula, just a short drive from Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Wineries in Lake Leelanau
All Leelanau Peninsula →
Planning Your Lake Leelanau Visit
Getting There
About 25 minutes northwest of Traverse City via M-22 and M-204. Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is the nearest commercial airport.
When to Visit
Late spring through the October harvest. Fall color on the peninsula peaks in early to mid-October and pairs beautifully with tasting-room visits.