I was in northern Michigan recently, tasting wine, as part of the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival. And I was struck with two revelations:

1. Many locals don’t even drink the local wine (what?!)
2. Michigan wines can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best

I know these two things because:

A) I talked with locals

Locals looked at me like I had two heads when I said, “Wait … you’re not ordering / drinking / buying local wine?”  They were like, “Ummmm …. no.” Needless to say, they all got a good talking-to from me, a Chicagoan and a wine expert who is MAD IMPRESSED with Michigan wines. 

Why is this? I think it’s because many of them remember the local wines from a long time ago, like the 70s and 80s, when, frankly, the quality wasn’t up to where it is now. And people are stubborn, aren’t they? I spread the word as much as I could that, “If you like wine, you should be trying your local wine!”

B) I attended a walk-around tasting of 100 wines

This was part of the Dirt to Glass program coordinated by Michigan State University’s Department of Horticulture and the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival. Half were Michigan wines. Half hailed from the world’s most recognized and respected regions, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Germany’s Mosel Valley, California’s Anderson Valley and Sonoma County, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  

Side by side, Michigan wines more than hold their own. I’m talking sparkling wines. I’m talking Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I’m talking dry Riesling. And more. 

Northern Michigan has been growing and making wine for more than 50 years and there are now more than 40 wineries. It’s a firm four-season place, with plenty of low temps and snow in the winter, not unlike the Champagne region, or any number of Alpine regions across Europe. But they’ve got Lake Michigan, with its temperature-modulating impact, and its breezes in the summer time that keep things from cooking too much. 

Above L to R: Susan and I took a brief wine break with some killer cocktails in Traverse City. She taught a super fun wine pairing session as part of the Festival – and it included these addictive chips with local bratwurst – brilliantly paired with Left Food Charley Luthier Chardonnay AND Two Lads Cabernet Franc.

And over the years, they’ve developed know-how and experience. Winemakers here are curious, talented and fearless. In November 2025, Travel & Leisure magazine called the Traverse Coast , “the Napa Valley of the Midwest.” And as my friend Susan Kostrezewa – Traverse City native and former editor-in-chief of Wine Enthusiast magazine said, “I get to taste wines from all over the world. So when I say Michigan wines are some of the best, I know what I’m talking about.”

Below are some recommendations on wineries to try:

Bel Lago – try the Sparkling Auxerrois!

Left Foot Charley – the Luthier Chardonnay and their Saperavi are just terrific (and made the one-way trip back to Chicago with me). This is a lively spot right in Traverse City, and when I ran in to get bottles to take home, there was live music in the park right outside and a food stand.

Chateau Fontaine – We did a fun tasting here on Saturday afternoon ($2 to taste any of their wines and a killer Chardonnay-Garlic cheeseball!) Their Big Paw White is a blend of mystery grapes (they do not reveal)

Mari Vineyards – I exceeded my own limit for a bottle of wine here back in 2022, and it was extraordinary when I opened it in 2025 (was a blend of Nebbiolo, Sangiovese Merlot). The wines are pricey and delicious.

Two Lads – Way out on Old Mission Peninsula, this place makes one of the best Cab Francs I’ve ever had.

Brys Estate – I adore their rosé. Their winemaker is South African and his wife own Peninsula Provisions near Lake Leelanau. I haven’t been to the winery, but every wine I taste from there is great.

Mawby – Larry Mawby was instrumental in putting northern Michigan wines on the map. They specialize in sparkling and they are all beautiful. I do see them in Chicago, at restaurants and indie wine shops. I love them all!

Others to check out: Black Star Farms (love their sur-lie chardonnay – it was $13.99 at Tom’s Market!), Blustone Vineyards (I went here back in 2016. Since then the wines have really improved – especially the Chardonnays. Both the Naked (no oak) and the Reserve (oaked) are beautiful.

GO to Traverse City

It is a freaking paradise, stuffed with beautiful vistas, great restaurants and outdoor activities galore (biking, hiking, boating, swimming, more). It’s a 5-hour drive from Chicago, and its Cherry Capital Airport welcomes flights from 20 cities. And mark your calendar for next year’s Traverse City Food & Wine Festival in August 2027. Read more about that amazing experience here.

Visit the wineries. Taste the wines. Eat at the restaurants and drink more wines. Go to a wine shop or supermarket and buy the wines. Join a wine club (or two). Be the person who surprises dinner party guests with a mind-blowing red wine from the Mission Peninsula and watch your wine cred sky-rocket as the person who knows.