A stop by stop guide for some amazing food and me favorite wineries in Traverse City and the surrounding area’s s.  Great for a girls trip or a couples trip! 

Lake Leelanau

Traverse City

Suttons Bay

Traverse City Wine Weekend 

Breakfast and Tasting on Old Mission Peninsula 

Start with a 9am Breakfast at Sugar 2 Salt in The Commons.  Make sure to get a reservation (and a piece of the chai coffee cake!) . 

Head over to The Cheese Lady on Front street to grab snacks for the road for the next few days .  Make sure to grab extra waters 💦

*All wineries will definitely need reservations, especially during the summer months.  Please make sure to secure your spot.  Also these are my top picks for wine, atmosphere, and ambiance.  

Head out onto Old Mission Peninsula, and don’t forget to take in the stunning views of little traverse bay as you start your wine tasting at 2Lads Winery for stop #1

Stop #2 is at Bowers Harbor Winery.  They have an amazing selection and you can even have a flight out in the vineyard.  

Stop #3 is at a newer trendier spot that has some fun snacks and a great atmosphere, Bonobo Winery.

And to end off Day ones Winery’s is stop #4 Bry’s Estate Vineyards .  Gorgeous outdoor deck, fun seasonal drinks and a great variety of wines. There is even a lavender farm nearby ! 

End your night eating in at one of Traverse cities many Airbnbs, or head out for some fun nightlife downtown.  I suggest Poppycocks for dinner (something on the menu for everyone and it’s a relaxed environment) and drinks at The Lowbar ( our neighborhood cocktail bar/speakeasy) 

Tasting on Leelanau Peninsula with Lunch and Lovely Dinner Out 

To start, run into Brew downtown for a quick coffee and pastry before heading out onto the peninsula by 10:30/11am 

Winery stop #1 for the day is at 45 North, do not sleep on the Peach Crement.  It’s a summer must have! 

And just around the corner is stop #2 Aurora Winery.  They have some of my favorite dryer whites in the area. 

If you are looking for a smaller town to walk around in or grab lunch, Suttons bay is great! Lots of shops and food options.  But just south of downtown Suttons Bay is Hoplot Brewing.  Lots of outdoor seating, cool vibe, and some food to get you through the next few wineries . 

Stop # 3 actually has two winery’s…Mawby and Big Little Wines . ( I’d suggest making sure you could get Resys at both!) Mawby is a fan fave always…it’s all Sparkling wines 🥂

And finally we head to Shady Lane Cellars for Stop#5.  

After all that wine, dinner will be well needed! Make some reservations at Trattoria Stella in the Traverse City commons area.  This restaurant is a must stop every time I’m in town.  It’s like you are walking into an old wine cellar …and has the most amazing food (please try the octopus and their mussels!! ) 

Traverse City Wine Weekend

Buy to unlock full guide