Planning Your Tour
Planning a Memorable Day in Northern Michigan Wine Country
No two groups experience wine country the same way. Some guests are celebrating an anniversary, others are gathering with friends, and many are simply looking for a relaxing day exploring Northern Michigan's remarkable vineyards. At Veer, every itinerary is thoughtfully curated around your interests, preferred pace, and the atmosphere you're hoping to enjoy.
Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, a little planning ensures your day feels effortless from beginning to end.
Choosing Between Old Mission Peninsula & Leelanau Peninsula
Northern Michigan is home to two extraordinary wine trails, each offering its own personality.
Not sure which peninsula fits your style? Both offer exceptional wineries and unforgettable scenery—but each creates a very different experience. Here's how they compare.
Old Mission Peninsula
Just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula offers one of Northern Michigan's most scenic wine routes. Vineyards stretch between the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay, creating spectacular water views almost everywhere you look.
Because the wineries are close together, Old Mission is ideal for first-time visitors, shorter tours, and guests who want to visit several wineries without spending much time driving.
Best for: First-time visitors • Dramatic lake views • Elegant wineries • Half-day and 4-hour tours
Leelanau Peninsula
Leelanau Peninsula offers a broader, more leisurely experience with rolling vineyards, charming villages, boutique tasting rooms, and beautiful stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Distances between wineries are greater, making the journey itself part of the experience. Guests often choose Leelanau for its quieter atmosphere, hidden gems, and relaxed pace.
Best for: Returning visitors • Boutique wineries • Scenic drives • Full-day adventures
At a Glance
🚗 Distance from Traverse City
Old Mission
15 minutes
Leelanau
35–45 minutes
🌿 Atmosphere
Old Mission
Elegant & lively
Leelanau
Relaxed & exploratory
Old Mission
First-time visitors
Leelanau
Returning visitors
🍷 Best For
Old Mission
Compact
Leelanau
Leisurely
🛣 Tour Pace
🌊 Signature Scenery
Old Mission
Grand Traverse Bay
Leelanau
Rolling vineyards & countryside
🚙 Recommended Tour
Old Mission
Prelude
Leelanau
Horizon or Odyssey
How Many Wineries Should We Visit?
While it can be tempting to fit as many wineries as possible into a single day, the most memorable experiences rarely come from rushing.
Most guests enjoy visiting three to five wineries, allowing enough time to appreciate each tasting room, stroll through the vineyards, enjoy conversations with friends, and perhaps linger over lunch with a beautiful view.
Our goal isn't to check wineries off a list—it's to create a day that feels relaxed, comfortable, and memorable from beginning to end. We can certainly visit more wineries if you'd like, but we've found that a thoughtfully paced day often creates the most memorable experience.
Can We Customize Our Itinerary?
Every tour begins with a conversation.
Every Veer wine tour is private, which means your itinerary is built specifically for your group rather than following a fixed route.
If you've always wanted to visit a particular winery, we'll gladly incorporate it whenever possible. If you're unsure where to begin, we'll recommend wineries based on your favorite wine styles, preferred atmosphere, scenic interests, and the pace you'd like for the day.
Some guests enjoy modern architecture and expansive vineyard views, while others prefer intimate tasting rooms tucked away along quiet country roads. Every itinerary reflects your preferences.
A Few Veer Favorites
There are plenty of excellent wineries in Northern Michigan, and no single itinerary fits everyone. These are some of the places we return to often—not because they're on a required route, but because each offers something distinctive.
From the architecture of Mari and the views at Brys Estate to the relaxed feel of Bowers Harbor and sparkling-wine experience at MAWBY, we'll help choose stops that fit your particular day.
Have somewhere already on your wish list? Tell us. We'll build from there.
Find Your Kind of Winery
There’s no single “best” winery—only the one that fits the kind of day you have in mind.
Some guests want sweeping views and dramatic architecture. Others would rather settle into a quiet tasting room, find a lively patio, or discover somewhere a little off the beaten path. We’ll help build your itinerary around the atmosphere you’re looking for.
FOR THE VIEWS
Good fits: Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery · Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn · Hawthorne Vineyards
Sweeping vineyards, elevated settings and beautiful Grand Traverse Bay views.
ARCHITECTURE &
ATMOSPHERE
Good fits: Mari Vineyards · 2 Lads Winery · Blustone Vineyards
Distinctive architecture, contemporary spaces and tasting rooms where the setting is part of the experience.
LIVELY & SOCIAL
Good fits: Bonobo Winery · MAWBY Sparkling Wines · Chateau Grand Traverse
Energetic tasting rooms, inviting patios and places made for lingering with friends.
CASUAL & UNHURRIED
Good fits: Bowers Harbor Vineyards · Laurentide Winery · Chateau Fontaine
Relaxed, approachable stops where it’s easy to settle in and enjoy wine country at a slower pace.
Lunch & Charcuterie
Many wineries throughout Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula offer more than wine tastings. Depending on your route, you may find vineyard cafés, seasonal lunch menus, artisan charcuterie boards, small plates, and beautiful outdoor patios overlooking the vines or the water.
If enjoying lunch is part of your ideal day, simply let us know during the planning process. We'll gladly recommend wineries that offer lunch, charcuterie, or seasonal dining and incorporate those stops into your itinerary whenever possible. If reservations are recommended, we'll include your dining preferences as we help coordinate your winery visits.
Whether you're looking for a leisurely lunch with a view or a simple charcuterie board between tastings, we'll help create a day that's as delicious as it is memorable.
Editorial Photography
Want photography to be part of the day? We can plan for that, too.
For anniversaries, birthdays, girls' getaways—or simply a day worth remembering—professional editorial-style photography can be woven naturally into your Veer itinerary.
Rather than stopping the experience for formal photo sessions, photography happens along the way: at the vineyards, tasting rooms, scenic overlooks, and those unscripted moments in between. We'll consider photography when planning the route, timing, and winery stops, so the best settings become part of the day rather than an interruption to it.
The result is a collection of authentic, beautifully composed photographs that lets you enjoy the experience while someone else worries about capturing it.
