Award-Winning Michigan Wines

By American Winery Guide Staff on 2021-11-16

Michigan has emerged as a serious player in American winemaking, with over 115 wineries producing exceptional cool-climate wines that rival those from more established regions. Lake Michigan's moderating influence creates ideal conditions for aromatic whites and elegant reds, particularly Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The state's four American Viticultural Areas span from the scenic northern peninsulas to the southwestern shoreline, each offering distinctive terroir and award-winning wines.

Michigan's wineries have shifted decisively toward vinifera varieties, moving away from hybrid grapes to focus on European-style wines with complexity and aging potential. The results speak for themselves: Michigan Rieslings regularly compete with German and Alsatian examples, while the state's sparkling wines have earned national recognition. With approximately 3,000 acres of vineyards and a growing reputation for quality over quantity, Michigan represents one of the most exciting wine regions east of the Rockies.

Geographic Orientation

Michigan's wine country centers along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, with wineries concentrated in two primary areas. In northern Michigan, the Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula AVAs stretch north of Traverse City, accounting for just over half the state's wine grape production. These narrow peninsulas, surrounded by Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, benefit from significant lake effect that moderates temperatures and extends the growing season.

Southwest Michigan's Lake Michigan Shore and Fennville AVAs comprise the remaining 45% of production, located roughly 90 miles northeast of Chicago via Interstate 94. The entire wine region spans approximately 200 miles from north to south along the lakeshore, with most wineries within 10 miles of Lake Michigan. Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City serves the northern region, while Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids provides access to southwestern wineries.

Top Wineries in Northern Michigan

Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas

Chateau Grand Traverse on Old Mission Peninsula pioneered Michigan's vinifera movement when founder Edward O'Keefe planted Riesling in 1974. The winery remains the region's Riesling specialist, producing dry, semi-dry, and late harvest expressions that showcase the peninsula's cool-climate terroir. Daily tastings run 11 AM to 5 PM without reservations, with panoramic vineyard views from the tasting room.

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery operates the largest contiguous estate on Old Mission Peninsula at 155 acres with 53,000 vines. Their elevated Upper Deck offers sweeping views of vineyards and East Grand Traverse Bay while guests enjoy seated wine flights, cheese boards, and the winery's signature Frosé. The 2005-founded estate focuses on small-lot, terroir-driven wines from estate fruit.

L. Mawby Vineyards-Winery has established itself as Michigan's premier sparkling wine producer in Suttons Bay. The winery employs traditional méthode champenoise techniques and sustainable practices to craft elegant sparklers from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The intimate vineyard setting and commitment to quality have earned L. Mawby national recognition as one of America's top sparkling wine producers.

Bel Lago perches on a hillside overlooking South Lake Leelanau in Cedar, producing award-winning wines with distinctive Italian-inspired flair. The scenic tasting room operates Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 PM, featuring wines that have earned double gold medals at national competitions. Estate vineyards benefit from exceptional drainage and southern exposure on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Leelanau Cellars combines award-winning wines with stunning bay views in Omena. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, the winery produces a diverse portfolio from estate and regional fruit, with particular strength in aromatic whites and Pinot Noir. The historic property has helped define Leelanau Peninsula winemaking for over three decades.

Bowers Harbor Vineyards occupies a historic estate on Old Mission Peninsula with nature trails winding through the vineyards. The winery crafts wines that reflect northern Michigan's unique character, with daily tastings from 11 AM to 5 PM (6 PM on weekends). The combination of old-world charm and modern winemaking techniques produces consistently excellent results.

Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay focuses on small-batch, handcrafted wines from estate vineyards. The intimate tasting room features live music on Friday evenings from 4 to 7 PM, creating a relaxed atmosphere for sampling wines that showcase the Leelanau Peninsula's cool-climate potential. The boutique scale allows for meticulous attention to vineyard and cellar details.

Top Wineries in Southwest Michigan

Lake Michigan Shore and Fennville AVAs

St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw holds the distinction as Michigan's oldest and most-awarded winery, operating since 1921. The flagship location offers tastings Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with multiple tasting rooms across the state. Beyond traditional wines, St. Julian produces award-winning spirits and fruit wines from Michigan-grown ingredients.

Fenn Valley Vineyards maintains a historic farmstead in Fennville with 240 acres of vineyards planted since 1973. Daily tastings from 11 AM to 5 PM showcase estate wines and hard ciders, while vineyard tours provide insight into sustainable farming practices. The winery consistently produces quality wines across multiple varietals, from crisp whites to structured reds.

12 Corners Vineyards in Benton Harbor offers scenic vineyard views and engaging tasting experiences daily from noon to 6 PM. The estate-grown wines have earned numerous awards, with particular success in Riesling and Pinot Noir. The welcoming atmosphere and consistent quality make this a standout stop on the Lake Michigan Shore wine trail.

Wyncroft in Pullman operates a historic estate with organic vineyard practices across 30 acres. Open Thursday through Saturday, the winery produces both Wyncroft estate wines and the premium Marland label from the estate's oldest vines. The commitment to sustainable farming and minimal intervention winemaking results in wines with distinctive character and sense of place.

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant in Buchanan combines award-winning wines with fine dining on a scenic estate. Weekend hours (Friday 4-9 PM, Saturday noon-9 PM, Sunday noon-5 PM) feature both wine tastings and restaurant service. The winery's history dates to 1968, making it one of Michigan's pioneering modern wineries.

Planning Your Visit

Michigan's wine regions shine from May through October when tasting rooms offer extended hours and vineyards display their seasonal beauty. Summer weekends attract the largest crowds, particularly on the northern peninsulas where vacation traffic peaks July through August. Fall harvest season (September through October) provides ideal weather, brilliant foliage, and opportunities to see winemaking in action, though some wineries reduce hours after Labor Day.

Winter visits offer intimate experiences with fewer visitors, though many northern wineries operate limited schedules or close entirely January through March. Reservations have become increasingly common, especially for groups larger than four. Tasting fees typically range from $15 to $30 per person, often waived with wine purchases. Plan to visit three to four wineries per day to avoid palate fatigue, allowing 60 to 90 minutes per stop.

Designated drivers are essential as wineries are spread across considerable distances. Many visitors base themselves in Traverse City for northern tours or in South Haven, St. Joseph, or Saugatuck for southwestern itineraries. The northern peninsulas offer stunning lakeside scenery but require more driving time between stops compared to the denser concentration of wineries in southwest Michigan.

Getting There

Northern Michigan: Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City offers direct flights from major hubs and sits 15-20 minutes from most Old Mission Peninsula wineries. Leelanau Peninsula wineries lie 20-45 minutes north via Highway 22 or County Road 641. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) serves as an alternative, located 240 miles southeast with a four-hour drive via Interstate 75 and US-131.

Southwest Michigan: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids provides the closest major airport access, 60-75 minutes from most Lake Michigan Shore wineries via Interstate 196 and US-31. Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports lie 90-120 minutes southwest via Interstate 94 and Interstate 196, making Michigan wine country an easy weekend escape from Chicago.

Highway 22 connects Leelanau Peninsula wineries along the shore, while Center Road traverses Old Mission Peninsula. In southwest Michigan, the Red Arrow Highway (old US-12) and Interstate 196 provide the main routes, with most wineries located on or near these corridors. Allow 45-60 minutes to drive the length of either northern peninsula, and similar times between southwestern wine clusters.

Related Resources

Michigan wine country extends beyond these highlighted wineries to include emerging regions like the Tip of the Mitt AVA near Petoskey and urban tasting rooms in Traverse City. The state's cool-climate success with Riesling parallels achievements in New York's Finger Lakes, while the lakeside terroir shares characteristics with Ontario's wine regions across Lake Erie. Plan multi-day itineraries to fully explore Michigan's diverse wine landscape, combining winery visits with the state's renowned farm-to-table dining, craft breweries, and outdoor recreation.