Leelanau Wine Country: A Weekend Guide to Tasting, Dining & Slowing Down

The Leelanau Peninsula has been called the second-best wine region in North America by a handful of publications — and while rankings are debatable, the experience isn't. Thirty-plus wineries are tucked into rolling hills, cherry orchards, and lakefront farmland across a peninsula that's barely 30 miles long. The wines are excellent. The setting is world-class. And unlike Napa or Sonoma, you can still walk into most tasting rooms without a reservation and talk to the actual winemaker. Here's how to spend a weekend doing exactly that.

Friday: Arrive & Ease In

Don't try to do too much on arrival day. Check into your rental, unpack, and let the pace of the peninsula settle in. If you're staying at the A-Frame, you're on the southern edge of wine country with a hot tub and fire pit waiting. Open a bottle you brought from home — you'll be replacing it with local bottles soon enough.

For dinner, head to Suttons Bay. The village sits on Grand Traverse Bay and has a walkable downtown with several strong options. If you haven't eaten, start at one of the Leelanau restaurants in our food guide. For a more casual first night, grab takeout and eat on the waterfront — Suttons Bay's public beach has benches and a marina view that pairs well with anything.

Saturday: The Tasting Route

This is the main event. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail runs from the base of the peninsula near Traverse City all the way to Northport at the tip. You won't hit all 30+ wineries in a day (nor should you try), so pick a route and commit.

Morning: Fuel Up

Start at 9 Bean Rows Bakery on M-204 between Traverse City and Suttons Bay. The croissants rival anything you'd find in a French patisserie, and the sourdough is exceptional. Grab coffee at Hive Coffee Co. in downtown Suttons Bay — it's the peninsula's best café, with house-made seasonal syrups and a community-focused vibe. (Our Suttons Bay coffee and brunch guide has the full rundown.)

Late Morning–Afternoon: The Southern Route

If you want to stay closer to base, work the southern half of the peninsula. Start at Left Foot Charley in the Grand Traverse Commons — not technically on the peninsula, but their natural wines and ciders are some of the most interesting in the region. Then head north on M-22 to Ciccone Vineyard (yes, Madonna's father's winery — the wine is legitimately good), Shady Lane Cellars (beautiful farmstead setting, excellent Riesling), and Bel Lago Vineyards (panoramic views of Lake Leelanau).

Alternative: The Northern Route

For the full Leelanau experience, drive to the tip. Start in Suttons Bay at Brys Estate (stunning hilltop views) or 45 North Vineyard (sparkling wine in a modern barn). Continue north to Leelanau Cellars in Omena, then finish at the cluster of wineries near Northport — Gill's Pier, Tandem Ciders (hard cider from heirloom apples), and Black Star Farms (their creamery is worth a stop too). The drive itself is half the experience: vineyard rows, Lake Michigan glimpses, and villages that feel frozen in time.

For a complete winery-by-winery breakdown with three touring routes, events, and a full 3-day itinerary, see our Leelanau Wine Trail guide.

Saturday Evening

After a day of tasting, you've earned a real dinner. Farm Club — a brewery, farm, and restaurant just south of Lake Leelanau — is one of the most memorable dining experiences in the area: farm-to-table in the most literal sense, set in a stunning minimalist building on a working farm. Reservations aren't taken (first come, first served), so arrive on the early side. If Farm Club is packed, head back to Suttons Bay for dinner — or drive to Leland and eat near Fishtown.

Sunday: One Last Stop

Don't rush out. Start with brunch — 45th Parallel Cafe in Suttons Bay for a classic breakfast, or Fiddleheads in Lake Leelanau for something more eclectic (vinyl records play all day, and the bagel sandwiches are excellent). After brunch, hit one more winery you missed yesterday, or drive to Leland and walk through Fishtown. Pick up smoked whitefish dip at Carlson's — it travels well and makes an excellent souvenir.

If you have time before heading home, the drive along M-22 from Leland south through Glen Arbor and Empire is one of the most scenic in Michigan. Stop at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive overlook if it's open, or just let the road do the work.

Related Guides

• Leelanau Wine Trail: Complete Winery Guide
• Leelanau Food & Drink Guide
• Coffee & Brunch in Suttons Bay & Leelanau
• Your Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes

Slow down. Sip something good. This is what weekends were made for.