PAID CONTENT
Discover deep-flavored wines made from cold-hearty grapes and bucolic vineyard settings in the Petoskey Wine Region, which includes 12 distinct wineries. Best yet, we asked the winemakers at each winery what vintage they think everyone should absolutely try, and why…
The Cellars of Royal Farms, Ellsworth
Sip cider and wine made from the fruits of this beautiful farm in the red and white farm market—or take it home (with a meat pastie). Either way, you’ll feel like royalty here!
Winemaker’s Pick—Rex-Beach is our house red. It is a medium-bodied classic and elegant dry dinner wine. Black pepper aromas with light wild berry notes underneath. This wine is similar to pinot noir with some tart cherry flavors. Light oaks add some smoke and cedar tones. Named after one for Northern Michigan’s landmarks situated right next to Royal Farms!
Taste estate-grown and produced red, white and fruit wines at this friendly winery set between Charlevoix and Bay Harbor.
Winemaker’s Pick—Elvira. A dry white wine made from hybrid Elvira grapes, which produces a wine with good acid and crisp flavors: under-ripe blueberries, melon, nuttiness with a hint of spice and a grape finish. It is one of the only single-berry Elvira wines made in this area.
Resort Pike Cidery and Winery, Petoskey
The secret’s in the bubbles at this casual, family-run winery and cidery devoted to sparkling ciders and wine.
Winemaker’s Pick—Our Go Green cider, which is made out of 100% Greening apples, a historic American apple variety.
Maple Moon Sugarbush & Winery, Petoskey
Set in a handsome grove of maples (the sugarbush), Maple Moon is the first commercial maple winery in the country. The wines range from dry to sweet, and some with fruit flavor. Settle up to the cozy bar for a flight and hear the story of how maple wine came to be.
Winemaker’s Pick—Maple Gold, coming in at a hot 18% alcohol, this better-than-port-style wine explodes with bourbon characteristics and a lasting maple finish.
Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Rudbeckia Farm // Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Rudbeckia Farm // Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Mackinaw Trail Winery, Petoskey
Established in 2004, Mackinaw Trail has chalked up 50 medals and six best-of-class awards. Sample the wine as well as Mackinaw Trail beer and cider at the on-site bistro.
Winemaker’s Pick—Our 2018 Estate Grown Marquette Rosé, with sweet cherry jam aromas and a balanced finish.
Rudbeckia Farm & Winery, Petoskey
A 190-acre vineyard, winery, nano-brewery and tasting room, with bucolic views of the Emmet County countryside that offers artisanal wines and family-friendly events that include live music.
Winemaker’s Pick—Our award-winning Marquette Dry Rosé from Tip of the Mitt is a vibrant Michigan sunset in a glass! This wine has aromas of melon and strawberry with soft floral notes of jasmine and rose. On the palate, the wine opens with notes of tart cherry accented by rose petals followed by crisp, refreshing acidity and a long, smooth finish.
Located on a longtime family farm, Walloon Lake Winery focuses on cold-hardy grapes. The hip, rustic tasting room is built from wood harvested from the farm.
Winemaker’s Pick—Windemere is a white field blend of three varietals from the La-Di-Dah vineyard right here in Petoskey. This blend of La Crescent, Frontenac Gris and Frontenac Blanc is distinctly refreshing with aromas of green apple and blood orange. Windemere finishes dry with crisp acidity. This is a great representation of single-vineyard blends from the Tip of the Mitt AVA.
Pond Hill Farm Vineyard & Winery, Harbor Springs
Located on the scenic M119 Tunnel of Trees, Pond Hill Farm is home to both Harbor Springs Vineyards & Winery and Tunnel Vision Brewery, a cafe, farm market and so much more.
Winemaker’s Pick—Lakeview Rosé, which gives lovely hints of strawberry and lemonade and is blended with all of our own estate grapes.
Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Pond Hill Farm // Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Crooked Vine Vineyards & Winery, Alanson
A rustic tasting room set amid 38 acres of vines with shimmering lakes on the horizon. Cheers to this boutique winery!
Winemaker’s Pick—Petite Pearl Reserve. This is from our first harvest of the petite pearl grape in 2017. We waited four years to harvest it when the vines were balanced and then aged it in Hungarian wood barrels for 16-plus months. It was just released to the public on Father’s Day 2019. For wine drinkers who want a bold, in-your-face, dry red wine to complement a big steak, this is the one.
A small family-owned winery and tasting room that offers a collection of whites, fruit wines and a rosé they call Backroads because it is made from wild grape varieties that grow in their rural community.
Winemaker’s Pick—Burt Lake Breeze, one of our flagship wines. We have been making this crisply fresh, semi-sweet, white wine since we opened our doors in 2013. Made from seyval blanc grapes, Burt Lake Breeze is most often compared to something between a pinot grigio and a riesling. Aromas of pear and green apple pop in your mouth then ease into a mellow, long finish. This is our favorite summer sippin’ wine and serves nicely with appetizers like cheese and dips. Perfect for those hot lake days, but don’t let its name limit you. Take a Burt Lake Breeze everywhere you go this summer.
1918 Cellars at Castle Farms, Charlevoix
You’ll feel like a monarch as you sip Northern Michigan wine in this tasting room set in the Queen’s Tavern tucked deep within a stone castle.
Winemaker’s Pick—The rosé would be my recommendation as it is unique, crisp, refreshing and PERFECT for the summer. It’s a dry syrah rosé with bright notes of cherry and lemon, and the pale pink hue is just as beautiful as the taste.
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery, Petoskey
This winery has two tasting rooms, each with its own vibe. Find an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere in the downtown Petoskey location. At their vineyard tasting room three miles outside of town, enjoy your wine on a deck overlooking the rolling countryside.
Winemaker’s Pick—Our 2018 Marquette Rosé is a dry rosé with aromas of strawberries and spiced cherries. The strawberry notes are accentuated with clean, crisp acidity. Marquette is such a versatile varietal that it works well as a red wine or a rosé. It brought home a silver medal at the 2019 Indy International Wine Competition.
Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Petoskey Farms Downtown Tasting Room // Photo by Rachel Haggerty
Petoskey Farms Atkins Road Tasting Room // Photo by Kelly Rewa
