A special kind of cold, hardy grape in northern Michigan is why our local wineries are so popular. While you’re here, be sure to visit the tasting rooms in one — or a few. We even have companies who will drive for you. Relax, sip, savor, and take home your glass as a souvenir.
Boyne Valley Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery just off US 131 in Petoskey. It is hidden from the roadway by taking a scenic driveway but is marked by a vintage pale yellow 1952 Chevy Truck (usually) parked near their entrance. Explore the tasting room, patio, or even their “tree-house” area! Some food options are available like charcuterie platters, cheese & cracker plates, and more.
Located just south of Charlevoix, the Cellars of Royal Farms is a family-owned winery utilizing the fresh fruits of the season for wine and cider making. On tap, they feature assorted hard ciders made from heritage apple varieties. Visit the wine garden or tasting room. Enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of hard apple cider with light food offerings, homemade baked goods, meat pasties, and amazing pies.
Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery
Crooked Vine is a family-owned boutique winery on 38 acres, just seven miles north of Petoskey. Panoramic views of the Petoskey hills and surrounding lakes can be seen as you relax with a glass of wine on the covered porch. Sample award-winning wines in the rustic tasting room or enjoy a glass of wine strolling through the vineyard, orchard, and woods. Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery’s goal is to produce wines with ‘a sense of place and balance’ while providing a memorable experience.
A cider/beer flight at Mackinaw Trail Winery near Petoskey, Michigan.
Mackinaw Trail Winery and Brewery
Petoskey is home to this 28-acre vineyard, winery, bistro, brewery, and tasting room. This year Mackinaw Trail celebrates 20 years with a 20th Anniversary Celebration on June 29th, 2024. The brewery is located inside the winery and has established itself as a premier microbrewery in northern Michigan. Currently, there are beers and hard ciders on tap. A rotation of fresh beers is always occurring. Hungry? Mackinaw Trail Winery offers a selection of small plates and appetizers while you sample wine, beer, and ciders. Great indoor and outdoor seating, grab a glass and go for a walk around the property.
America’s FIRST Maple Winery is located on 80 beautiful acres in Petoskey. Maple Moon offers nine vintages of wine and a maple ginger hard cider in their cozy ‘up north’ tasting room. When you hear “maple wine” you think it may be too sweet, while there are sweet options they also offer some delectable dry and semi dry options. Sweets lover? Have a maple syrup tasting and learn about how processes change the flavor of syrup. It’s a great experience! The farm store also offers maple syrup, sugar, and candies as well as maple root beer, jam, honey, salsa, rubs, and sauces.
A couple enjoys a fall day at Petoskey Farms Winery near Petoskey, Michigan.
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery is located just 3 miles east of downtown Petoskey. Come sit on the 60-foot outdoor patio overlooking 22 acres of beautiful hills and rolling countryside. Whether you are looking for a dry Chardonnay or a sweet Late Harvest Riesling or perhaps something in between, like Petoskey White? Petoskey Farms has made something special for you. Come taste the dry Petoskey Red or sweet LOVE Sangria. If you still haven’t found what you are looking for, try apricot fruit wine or some fine Michigan cherry-flavored chocolates. Looking for a bite too? They offer wood-fired pizzas and other snacks. Now offering specialty coffee drinks for those non-wine drinkers in your party too.
Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Pond Hill Farm – Winery, Brewery, Café, Market
Visit this unique Up North wine lovers’ destination located five miles north of downtown Harbor Springs. Delicious wines and hard ciders, alongside farm-raised appetizers, lunches, and wood-fired pizza, make for a fantastic experience. Tastings and wines by the glass or bottle are available. Visit the website for special wine-tasting dinners, spring greenhouse tours with specialty farm to table wine pairings, and don’t forget to explore the trails. Also, try the selection of beers made on-site.
A couple enjoys Resort Pike Cidery and Winery in fall near Petoskey, Michigan.
Resort Pike Cidery and Winery opened its doors in Petoskey in July of 2017. This is a no-frills, comfortable place to enjoy something a little different than at the other wineries in the Petoskey Area. Stay awhile and pick from their selection of card and board games. Take a hike at the neighboring conservancy before or after your tasting.
Rudbeckia Winery & Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery
The Rudbeckia Winery & Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery’s tasting room features wine, beer, cider, and craft spirits as well. Alongside their delectable wine selection you will want to try the Burnt Marshmallow Breweries ” Nestled in the rolling hills ”Up North” above the 45th parallel in Petoskey, the farm is situated on 190 acres with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Walloon Lake. Rudbeckia Winery has an alluring romance with each varietal wine they produce and is devoted to producing limited quantity, delicious artisanal wines. Co-located with Burnt Marshmallow Brewing.
Seasons of the North in Indian River offers handcrafted wines from home-grown fruit – the best that Up North has to offer! Enjoy snowshoeing and wine – wine-shoeing – in the winter.
Spare Key Winery is a family-owned winery in Charlevoix that has been growing grapes for 6+ years. Beautiful views and delicious tastes await you. Spare Key Winery is one of the few estate-grown and bottled wineries in northern Michigan; their wines are made from grapes grown in their vineyard and processed on site by their team.
Walloon Lake Winery believes in close family and friends, lively conversations, and great-tasting wines. This is a family-owned and operated business, just minutes from the shores of Walloon Lake, south of Petoskey. In the warmer months, be on the lookout for Tunes at Walloon on our event calendar. It can’t get much better than some tunes and a great glass of wine on the countryside of Petoskey. They have a great outdoor pavilion with plenty of dancing room. Keep an eye out for Artist Markets that they host in their tasting room too! And lastly, for their 3rd year in a row they will host ‘Day Fest at Dennis Farm’ on August 11th which features tunes, food, and their wine and cider!
The 1918 Cellars Wine Tasting Room at Castle Farms features tasting, glass, and bottle purchases of their own label of Michigan-produced wines. The 1918 Cellars Wine Tasting Room is located in the Queen’s Tavern of Castle Farms in Charlevoix, with both indoor seating and outdoor seating (seasonally) available. The Tavern features a barn wood ceiling and a herringbone-pattern floor with tiles dating back to the original 1918 construction. Combined with the original stonework, these historical accents create a completely unique experience for wine tasting.
*Closed for the 2024 season.
Driving tours of the wineries are offered by Northern Michigan Wine & Beer Tours, Sunset Premier Shuttle, and Vine Ride – Petoskey Area Wine Tours. Please drink responsibly.
About the author
Ellen Auten is a native of the area, and a lover of hiking, snowboarding, foraging, and a great meal. She enjoys promoting the next fun thing to do in the Petoskey Area – but also likes to recommend local favorites and learning opportunities for all. She hopes to help in your planning process for your next trip to the Petoskey Area of northern Lower Michigan.