Leelanau Wine Tour: An Experience to Remember
Leelanau Wine Tours
So, what’s the big deal about Leelanau County? You see folks all over the Midwest with M22 stickers and Instagram is seemingly chalked-full of incredible pictures of sandy beaches meeting blue water on a summer day in Leland. Regional and world wine festivals alike are awarding Leelanau wineries with a host of medals for a variety of wines. It seems like Northern Michigan’s best-kept secret is slowly being let out of the bag, but fortunately, Leelanau has retained its natural beauty and uniqueness.
Perhaps the best way to experience Leelanau County is on a wine tour. Why? You can see the historic sites, take in the stunning natural beauty of The County, all while sipping on some of the world’s best wines and ciders.
Leelanau Wineries
Wine enthusiasts visiting Leelanau County are spoiled for choice when it comes to top-notch wineries. Closest to Traverse City, in between Lake Leelanau and West Bay, guests frequently start their wine tour at Shady Lane Cellars. Famous for an incredible outdoor tasting area, Shady Lane is a great place to kick off an afternoon in the county. L. Mawby Vineyards is just up the road, allowing guests to squeeze in two incredible wineries in quick succession. Up north near 204 is 45 North Winery & Vineyard, home of one of the most picturesque vineyards in the area and a must-see for all guests.
Cider in Leelanau County
As we’ve mentioned before, cider is quickly becoming extremely popular in Northern Michigan. 45 North has a few excellent and unique cider beverages to try on your visit, but they’re far from the only joint in Leelanau for an apple-oriented concoction. Tandem Ciders is an excellent spot in Leelanau County for cider and is home to some of the best ciders around. I’m a huge fan of the Early Day and the Ida Gold, so be sure to give those two a try when you’re there on your tour. You should also be sure to finagle a way to visit Suttons Bay Ciders who also know their way around an apple press.
Historic Fishtown in Leland
Be sure to make your way to Leland, which is located on the stretch of M22 that is world famous at this point. Leland, a small, sleepy hamlet in the winter, is brought to life in the summer months by tourists and folks who have been summering there for generations. Home to a number of shops and restaurants, Leland is also a very historic place, as it’s home to Fishtown. Fishtown is a small village of vintage fish shanties that have been modified to become homes to a clothing, antique, and candy shops right in the Leland Marina. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Leelanau, and probably in all of Michigan. You have to get a sandwich from the Village Cheese Shanty – they have by far the best sandwiches around, and locals drive thirty minutes or more to eat them on the weekends.
If you need further convincing, just follow the Instagram account of the Leland Wine Fest, who has a stream composed of our two favorite things; wine and Leelanau!
Want to see what an Old Mission Peninsula wine tour is all about? You can read all about that here. Think we’re just making up how much fun our tours are? Hear what our guests have to say about us!
Want to find out more about Leelanau wine tours? Ask the experts! Send us an email or give us a shout so we can help you start planning your Leelanau wine excursion today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to wine and beer tours in Traverse City!