Restaurants & Food

Spend a Weekend in Wine Country

More than 90 destinations await your visit

July 19, 2012

6150

Too often, a trip to a Michigan winery is a whirlwind visit, squeezed in with other activities in the region. A great way to truly experience wine country is to do what Europeans do best – slow down, relax. And the best way to relax is by staying overnight or spending a few days in the vineyards. Six Michigan wineries offer charming, onsite escapes and are within close proximity to many other regional tasting rooms.

The Cottage at Lindah in Buchanan (Southwest Michigan)
The Cottage at Lindah is a cozy Victorian farmhouse. The two-bedroom house has a modern-country decor and offers a quaint getaway on the 40-acre estate of Hickory Creek Winery. Explore other wineries along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail and end your day sampling artisan wines in the Hickory Creek Winery tasting room. The cottage is a quick stroll across the grounds. The front porch and back deck entice you to relax, soak in the Chardonnay vineyard landscape, and uncork a bottle of estate wine, such as the elegant, pair-with-anything Cabernet Franc Rosé.

The Inn at Black Star Farms (in Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula)
A stay at the Inn at Black Star Farms offers a breadth of agricultural experiences. Every day, a hospitality hour is held for mingling fireside and enjoying wine and delicious appetizers. During your visit, a special wine blend is accessible by tap, in addition to a complimentary bottle of Red House wine. The sweeping estate hosts an equestrian facility and 160 acres of forest, vineyards, and orchards. A wide selection of award-winning wines is available for sampling in the tasting room where you can also indulge in Raclette cheese, handcrafted onsite by Leelanau Cheese Co. Across from the tasting room, the seasonal Hearth and Vine Café serves delicious wood-fired pizza that Chef Mario Batali raves about. In the morning, wake up to a gourmet breakfast, prepared using fresh local ingredients.

Silver Leaf Winery (in Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula)
North on the peninsula is a rustic log cabin amid grapevines and nearby cherry trees. Located on the grounds of Silver Leaf Winery, the quaint and cozy cabin is near the tasting room where handcrafted wines are poured, usually by vintners Mark and Patti Carlson. French doors in the tasting room lead to a spacious deck where treetop and vineyard views may inspire you to trek along a two-mile trail through the estate, guided by a handy map. Pack a lunch and unwind in serene picnic settings.

Chateau Chantal Bed and Breakfast (in Traverse City on Old Mission Peninsula)
Across the bay, Chateau Chantal offers one of Michigan’s most beautiful, unspoiled vistas of rolling, lush vineyards and Lake Michigan views. Lakeview suites, cozy rooms, and a spacious two-bedroom executive apartment offer a relaxing respite from the busy life. After hours, guests are invited to pour tastes from the open bottles of wine in the tasting room. In the morning, a hearty breakfast is served, and Bob Begin, founder of Chateau Chantal, cheerfully greets guests and offers to fill Champagne flutes with freshly squeezed orange juice. Immediately following breakfast, Bob guides a tour, sharing his insight along the way into the daily workings of the winery and inn.

The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse (on Old Mission Peninsula)
A surprisingly massive guesthouse is tucked into the estate of Chateau Grand Traverse. The 15,000-square-foot inn features six private guest rooms and a shared 18-person dining table, mammoth living room, and a recreation and entertainment facility. The house’s many nooks invite you to chat over wine with friends or, for fun, search for the secret passage into a colossal cellar room. At sunset, find a cozy spot on the porch to sip a glass of wine poured from a complimentary bottle and soak in the stunning view of Grand Traverse Bay and Power Island. In the morning, fill up on a deluxe breakfast before touring the massive wine production facility, strolling through the grapevines on the 120-acre estate, and sampling a wide selection of award-winning wines in the tasting room. Outdoors, more than 40 species of birds frequent the vineyards, including the rare to the region orchard oriole.

Highland Hideaway Bed and Breakfast Resort (in Harbor Springs)
Highland Hideaway Bed and Breakfast Resort is a pleasant hilltop getaway at Pleasantview Vineyards and Winery. Two houses are available: the Sunset House for a cozy stay and the Sauterne House for families and small groups. The wooded setting provides a hushed backdrop to this northern Michigan escape located a stone’s throw from the recreation destination of Boyne Highlands. Vintner Dr. Jerry Perrone offers private wine tastings, tours and educational classes during your stay and shares insight into sustainable agriculture.
Beyond these winery estates, Michigan is home to many more unique B&Bs, inns, hotels and vacation rentals, many located in the heart of wine country. Book your vineyard getaway today!