Mike Norton
Media Relations Director
Traverse City CVB
Traverse City, Mich.
What are three great winery experiences you would recommend for groups visiting the Traverse City Area?
Media Relations Director
Traverse City CVB
Traverse City, Mich.
What are three great winery experiences you would recommend for groups visiting the Traverse City Area?
- Chateau Chantal: Chateau Chantal presents the perfect blend of wine and ambience. Their vintages are excellent—particularly the rieslings and chardonnays—but it’s the awe-inspiring scenery that really sets them apart. They’re perched on the highest point of the Old Mission Peninsula, which is quite narrow, so you can stand on their terrace sipping a nice chilled glass of wine while looking out across an amazing expanse of hills, lakes, forests and vineyards, with water on two sides of you. Wine tastings can accommodate up to 59 guests. In addition, Chateau Chantal is a bed-and-breakfast property with 11 rooms (space for 42 guests) and a 500-square-foot meeting room perfect for retreats or board meetings.
- Brys Estate: Just a bit south of Chateau Chantal on Blue Water Road, the relatively new Brys Estate is on an east-facing slope that also overlooks a fine scene of hills and water. But beyond stunning views, Brys stands out for the amazing success they’ve had with red wines, which have rarely been produced so well this far north. Their pinot noir is a treasure; the first vintage they produced sold out in less than a week. Wine tastings can be arranged for up to 50 guests in their gorgeous exposed brick and mahogany tasting bar overlooking the vineyards and the bays.
- L. Mawby: At L. Mawby, located in the hill country of the central Leelanau Peninsula, there is no scenery to speak of (though sometimes you can glimpse a herd of Holstein cows grazing across the valley). The draw here is the amiable and courtly Larry Mawby, who has put his considerable talent and energy into the making of delicious sparkling wines. The intimate cellar-level tasting room can hold small groups by appointment only. An hour spent there is an education in literature, oenology and local folklore. Warm weather brings a series of Sunday picnics in the vineyard, pairing Larry’s sparkling wines with dishes from local restaurants. There is nothing quite as relaxing as a cool flute of his fine bubbly on a hot summer day.