Sip, Sip, Hooray! Exploring 3 Petoskey Area Wineries

Spring has finally arrived in northern Michigan, and soon summer will be gracing us with sunshine, warmer temperatures, and every reason to explore the region’s distinctive wineries.

The Petoskey Wine Region features more than a dozen tasting rooms between Alanson in Emmet County, throughout Petoskey and Charlevoix, and south to Central Lake in Antrim County. It is part of Michigan’s fifth and largest American Viticultural Area (AVA) called the Tip of the Mitt. This appellation spans nearly 3,000 square miles and is bordered by Grand Traverse Bay, Little Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinac, and Lake Huron. It is this position within the heart of the Great Lakes that creates prime “cool climate” conditions for growing a plethora of grapes used in the creation of award-winning Michigan wines.

May is Michigan Wine Month—the perfect time to celebrate the passionate local vintners who cultivate more than 45 varieties of wine grapes, which are artfully crafted into delicious reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines.

 

Crooked Vine Vineyard & Winery

Alanson

Crooked Vine Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned boutique winery situated on a 38-acre environmentally verified farm in Alanson. “We believe in nurturing our soil and treating our grapes when only absolutely necessary to protect the fruit and vines,” notes Stephanie Milo, who purchased the winery with her husband, Ted, in 2021.

In addition to its normal tasting room hours, Crooked Vine will be hosting wine dinners, a shrimp boil and pig roast this summer (dates coming soon). Private Wine Tastings are always offered, with a behind-the-scenes look at the operations, including a walking tour through the vineyard, five wine samples, and light snacks.

“I’m really excited about a new event called ‘Yappy Hour,’” Stephanie says. “We will be extending our tasting room hours once a month and staying open until 7 pm (we normally close at 5 pm), and will have a dog-friendly focused atmosphere on our patio. We’ll have live music, toys for the dogs, plenty of green space for them to run, dog-friendly treats and merch for the pets.” Yappy Hour is set for June 26, July 16, and August 20. Crooked Vine is also supporting the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society with pet adoption days on July 17 and August 14, with a portion of sales donated to this organization. “If you can’t adopt a pet, you can drink a glass of wine to help support the cause.”

Crooked Vine also offers Saturday morning Vineyard Yoga (June 13, July 18, August 8, and August 15), with limited space and advanced registration.

 

 

 

Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery

Petoskey

A multi-sensory agritourism experience awaits at Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery. The Roush family turned their dream into a reality in 2012 when they acquired a picturesque 22-acre parcel of rolling farmland just southeast of downtown Petoskey. Two years later, they welcomed their first guests to the tasting room. By 2021, Petoskey Farms had been ranked one of the top 25 best wineries in the U.S. by Reader’s Digest!

In addition to a full wine menu—which boasts spring favorites like First Crush Rosé, Blaufränkisch Rosé, Petoskey White, and Canned Shimmers—for the one who loves bubbles, visitors will find a mouth-watering menu of charcuterie, smoked whitefish with tortilla chips, and sweet treats. The ever-popular pizza truck is heating back up, opening in early May for the season with favorites like the Margherita pizza and a “Petoskey Pepperoni” (ask for the hot honey for an extra kick). There is also an upper-level, cozy Coffeehouse which opened at the start of the 2023 season. Seafood lovers take note…the 2nd Annual Shrimp Boil is planned for Saturday, June 13. Limited tickets are available on the farm’s website or by calling 231-290-9463.

Outside of wine grapes, Petoskey Farms boasts a Lavender Farm (affectionally referred to as a “purple paradise”) with about 3,500 colorful and fragrant plants. “To make the most of our abundant fields, we invested in a lavender still from Portugal, which allows us to produce essential oil and hydrosol (lavender floral water),” notes the farm’s website.

In the spring of 2024, the Roushs expanded their orchard operation by planting nearly 50 new trees with 12 different varietals. “Our goal is to transition our hard ciders to be not only produced on-site but also crafted from estate-grown fruit.”

On top of all the amazing wine, coffee, food, and fragrances, Petoskey Farms also offers panoramic 180-degree views from its covered patio and adjoining deck.

 

 

 

Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard

Charlevoix

The property where Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard sits, just south of downtown Charlevoix, has quite a history. Its name was believed to have been inspired by the original farmer’s son, whose first word was “blue.” For decades, the land produced tons of asparagus (Michigan ranks #1 in the nation for this stalky vegetable, FYI), and the historic barn on site dates to the late 1800s. In the mid-1960s, Standardbred Harness Racing horses were bred and trained here, during which time the stables, additional barns, and the half-mile racetrack were built.

The idea of a vineyard and winery was born in 2006 when Michiganders Jennie and Paul Silva were touring Napa Valley, California. Learning that northern Michigan was another notable wine region, they began formulating a plan, and before long, the stars aligned. In 2018, they acquired 20 acres and the following year planted their first three acres of vines. By 2020, the adjoining “Blu Dot Farm” was up for sale, and their agricultural footprint grew to a total of 50 acres. Currently, about 6,000 vines of nine different varietals are sprawled out on 10 acres.

Visitors to Blu Dot Farms are greeted by large barns with bright blue aluminum roofs, a barn with a large blue dot painted on the front, and a 31-foot custom retrofitted 1973 Airstream. This unique tasting room can accommodate 15 and can be reserved for private gatherings. Outdoor seating is open on a first-come basis. Blu Dot is even dog friendly, as long as fido remains on leash.

Blu Dot’s first wines—Itasca (a dry white) and Marquette (a dry red)—were released in the fall of 2022. Today they offer a broader portfolio including the Party Girl label (brut and rosé), which as you might expect is all about the bubbles; Frontenac Gris, Traminette, Riesling, and an estate cider. The newest wines are Notorious B.L.U. Red Blend and the 2024 Transient White Blend. Tastings are offered in flights of three, six, or all nine wines and ciders, including a logoed souvenir glass.

Live music from regional performers is hosted Saturday afternoons from late May through early October. Two special ticketed events are also planned this season, including a Shrimp Boil on Saturday, August 29, and an interactive Wild West Murder Mystery on Saturday, September 12.

 

Looking to visit multiple wineries in one location? Then, Petoskey Uncorked is the place to go. Held from 1-5pm on Saturday, May 16 at Odawa Casino’s Ovation Hall in Petoskey, this one-day tasting event offers one-ounce samples from each of the 14 participating wineries. Tickets are $45 each; admission is for those 21 and older.

 

About the Author: Dianna Stampfler has been an outspoken advocate of Michigan wines for nearly 30 years, with a special love of Riesling and Rosé.