Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

All 13 tasting rooms on Old Mission Peninsula sit along one road. Center Road, M-37, runs the length of the peninsula from Traverse City to Mission Point Lighthouse, so an Old Mission day is a straight out-and-back you can taste in order.

Old Mission Peninsula is the narrow finger of land that splits Grand Traverse Bay into its east and west arms. It runs about nineteen miles north from Traverse City and is never more than three miles wide, with water visible on both sides along most of Center Road. It became Michigan's fourth federally recognized wine appellation in 1987 and is the smallest of the state's growing regions, which makes it the easier of the two peninsulas to cover in a single day. Mission Point Lighthouse stands at the tip, right on the 45th parallel, and there are public beaches and bay overlooks along the way.

The 13 rooms

• Black Star Farms Old Mission: Old Mission outpost of Black Star with wines, spirits, and cocktail flights. The first winery as you head up the peninsula; an easy opener. Known for estate wines, spirits, Pinot Noir. Food on site: snacks.
• Hawthorne Vineyards: Unpretentious room with the rare trick of views over both the East and West arms of the bay, plus a big deck. Solid across whites and reds. Known for broad lineup, Pinot Grigio, whites and reds.
• Tabone Vineyards: Family-run favorite with a generous patio. Sparkling rose, dry bubbly Riesling, and Gewurztraminer; a warm, personal stop. Known for sparkling rose, dry bubbly Riesling, Gewurztraminer. Food on site: snacks.
• Peninsula Cellars: Tasting room in a converted schoolhouse with playful school-themed labels (one wine is called Detention). Riesling and Gewurztraminer standouts. Known for Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc.
• Mari Vineyards: Hilltop estate with underground wine caves and an Italian-leaning red program. Big, architectural, and view-forward over the East Bay. Known for Italian-style reds, Nebbiolo, bigger reds. Food on site: snacks.
• Chateau Grand Traverse: Old Mission's founding estate and Michigan's Riesling pioneer. Large and lively, with live music on busy days; a natural anchor stop. Known for Riesling, broad lineup. Food on site: snacks.
• Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery: Polished estate paired with the Secret Garden lavender farm. Strong Sauvignon Blanc and rose, bay views, and seated tastings by reservation. Known for Sauvignon Blanc, rose. Food on site: snacks.
• 2 Lads Winery: Modern, architectural room near the tip with East Bay views. Known for Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and sparkling; a frequent trip favorite. Known for Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, sparkling. Food on site: snacks.
• Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn: Hilltop inn and winery near the peninsula's high point with vineyard and bay views. Broad lineup and a B&B on site; central to the upper cluster. Known for broad lineup, reds and whites. Food on site: snacks.
• Bowers Harbor Vineyards: Laid-back, family-feel estate with several outdoor spaces and a park next door for a walk. Vineyard rather than bay views; dog friendly. Known for broad lineup, dry reds, Riesling. Food on site: snacks.
• Bonobo Winery: Relaxed, view-forward room over the vineyard with strong sparkling and food. Open late, which makes it a good last stop of the day. Known for sparkling, broad lineup. Food on site: snacks.
• Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery: Artisan-ale brewery, distillery, and restaurant on Old Mission at Bowers Harbor, with wood-fired pizza and a beach below. The only brewery among the OM wineries. Known for sour and oak-aged artisan ales, wood-fired pizza. Food on site: kitchen.
• Old Mission Distilling: Distillery and cocktail lounge on Old Mission with a garden and pavilion. The natural spirits stop to fold into an Old Mission wine loop. Known for craft spirits, cocktails. Food on site: snacks.

Timing a trip for the leaves? See the fall color wine tour guide, or load a ready-made loop from the one-day itineraries.