four women toasting at a traverse city winery

Plan Your Getaway

All year round, the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail invites guests to enjoy wine tasting on our idyllic, unrivaled wine trail, in one of the most charming and scenic areas in the world. Round out your day on the 19-mile peninsula by visiting Old Mission beaches, restaurants, and retailers, or stay overnight right on the peninsula at one of a number of accommodations

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Old Mission Peninsula

They say that grapes like to grow where people like to live, and that’s no exception on Old Mission Peninsula. With 19 miles of rolling hills and amazing bay views at every turn, Old Mission is the perfect to place for a daylong wine tasting tour with friends or an extended weekend retreat. The accessible nature of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail gives visitors the chance to visit one or all ten incomparable wineries in a short period of time. Take your pick of dining options ranging from come-as-you-are eateries to more upscale establishments. Plan on spending the night, with your choice of B&Bs and inns offering well-appointed accommodations and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

 

Lodging

Dining

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery Bad Dog Deli
Chateau Chantal Boathouse
The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse Jolly Pumpkin
Grey Hare Inn Mission Table
Neahtawanta Inn Old Mission General Store
Old Mission Inn Old Mission Tavern

Traverse City

Traverse City is the hub of northwest Michigan and offers a wide variety of accommodations, dining options, and activities. Choose from familiar national lodging, boutique hotels, or quaint B&Bs. Traverse City is a “foodie mecca” that has gained national attention for its local fare from an array of popular eateries that each take full advantage of the area’s incredible bounty. Traverse City bustles year round with a variety of festivals, events, cultural attractions, and more. 

TRAVERSE CITY LODGING >

TRAVERSE CITY DINING >

AREA EVENTS CALENDAR >

Group Guidelines

There’s no better way to enjoy a day on the Old Mission Wine Trail than with the company of good friends. While all wineries do their best to accommodate groups of all sizes, it’s best to call ahead for larger groups.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >

WINERY INFORMATION >

How To Take A Tour

Come as you are. Tickets, reservations and previous experience with wine are not required. All wineries offer tastings, and many also offer wine by the glass or light bites. If you’re traveling with a large group of friends, please call ahead to make a reservation.

For all its amazing scenery, perhaps the real beauty of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail is that you can take it at your own pace. Stop at one, several, or all of the wineries depending on your mood, schedule, or the whim of your group. The trail stretches along the Old Mission Peninsula and includes ten wineries, each offering its own distinctive discovery. Enjoy a self-guided tour to hit all of your must-sees or hire a private shuttle bus to assume driving duties and scheduling. It is possible to visit all ten wineries in one day. 

WINERY INFORMATION >

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >

SHUTTLE BUS COMPANIES >

Feed Your Senses

 

Wine tasting encompasses all five senses – how people perceive the look, flavors, smells, tactile sensations, and even the sound of wine. Each of your senses enhances the tasting experience, so you should pay keen attention to the following as you ready yourself to taste that glass of wine:



LISTEN.
Just as we start to salivate when we hear the chopping of veggies or bacon sizzling, listening to a wine bottle cork pop (or cap being unscrewed!) as well as the wine flowing from the bottle into the glass starts out the tasting experience on the right note. So in the tasting room, take a moment to listen to the bottle’s opening, glasses clinking, and wine pouring. It sets the stage for what’s to come.

LOOK. Want to know what you might be in for? Check out the wine’s clarity, color (and concentration of color), hue, and viscosity. They’ll provide valuable clues to what the wine may taste like or where its origins lie.

SMELL. A wine’s nose (aroma) contains many different aromatic compounds. The first we smell are the primary aromas. These come from the grapes and are “fruity” in smell. The secondary aromas are attained from the fermentation process and are more complex. As a wine matures, it develops a third set of aromas that are the most complex to identify. What you get, even after bottling, are some chemical reactions that will change the wine over time and allow it to develop more subtle and complex “smells”. As the wine ages, the fruitiness usually subsides after time (depending on the wine) and other aromatics become more noticeable. These may smell like black currants, truffles, or rich spices in some reds. A Riesling may develop a petrol (yes, petrol) scent after proper aging; this is due to the fruit aromas subsiding and chemical reactions occurring.

TASTE. Tasting essentially helps to confirm what your nose knows. To taste wine like a pro, try rolling the wine around in your mouth so that it comes in contact with all major taste areas. Sipping in a slight bit of air into the mouth will help to release more of the shifting compounds and magnify the taste. It may sound as though your wine is “gurgling”; then you know you’re doing it right.

FEEL. Tasting also involves feeling. Tasting includes the weight or body of wine. It basically translates into how the wine feels on your tongue. The fuller the body of the wine, the more lasting the taste and heavier the feel of the wine is in your mouth. Weight is distinguished through a combination of alcohol, glycerol, tannin, sugar, and all other non-water elements, known collectively as extract. After swallowing (or spitting) you can make a better judgment as to a wine’s body.

EXTRA CREDIT: As you improve your tasting skills, you will begin to notice a wine’s balance and finish. Balance refers to the overall harmony of the components of sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol. A wine with good balance means that no one component dominates. In essence, these components are presenting themselves equally. The length of time those flavors linger in the mouth is known as the finish.


 
With these steps in the back of your mind, see how your next wine tasting experience differs than your previous. Did you pick up on some new flavor notes? Notice the weight of the wine in your mouth, and how long that flavor stays with you? We encourage you to practice and share your tasting notes on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Tasting Room Etiquette

Be open-minded. Try something new. Explore and discover new favorites.

Patience is a virtue. This is a very popular tourist destination for good reason. Our stunning views and world-class wines on Old Mission Peninsula are comparable to any of the other great wine regions around the globe. We can be extremely busy during the summer and fall months, but we guarantee that the experience is well worth the wait. 

Ask questions. Our friendly staff is happy to share their considerable knowledge about different wines, their origins and how they’re made. You might be surprised at how much you can learn about the wines you taste as well as our unique grape-growing region.

Summer and fall seasons are our most popular seasons. However, we’re open year round (including weekdays), so plan a trip in the winter or spring when you can enjoy a little more personal attention and wine education.

Enjoying wine is as much about the atmosphere as the wine itself. Please be considerate of other guests by not smoking, chewing gum, or wearing strong cologne or perfume, which may detract from the “nose” and taste of the wine.

Stay engaged! The wineries encourage picture taking, but also suggests setting down phones, tablets, and technology to truly let the timeless experience of wine tasting envelop you. The sights, tastes, discussion, and camaraderie will make for the best long-lasting memories.

Shuttle Buses

Visitors to Traverse City enjoy convenient proximity to the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail. Just four miles from the center of downtown Traverse City, the wineries can be reached through a variety of transportation options. Though the wineries and the wine trail do not provide guest transport, Traverse City Tourism offers a list of wine tour & transportation companies that service Old Mission Peninsula – ranging from fully-hosted educational wine tours to limousine service to local cabs. Just be sure to call these companies ahead so appropriate accommodations can be made.

A few helpful questions to consider when researching the right tour or transportation company for you.

1.) Are the tasting fees included in the tour/shuttle fee? 
2.) Does the company make the winery reservations for you or do you need to call the wineries yourself?
3.) Is the company licensed with the Michigan Department of Transportation?

WINE TOURS & TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES >

Old Mission Peninsula

With 19 miles of rolling hills and amazing views everywhere you turn, Old Mission Peninsula is the perfect to place for a daylong wine tasting tour with friends or an extended weekend retreat. Visit one or all of the ten incomparable wineries. Take your pick of dining options ranging from come-as-you-are eateries to more upscale establishments. And plan on spending the night, with your choice of B&Bs and inns offering well-appointed accommodations and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

 

Lodging

Dining

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery Bad Dog Deli
Chateau Chantal Boathouse
The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse Jolly Pumpkin
Grey Hare Inn Mission Table
Neahtawanta Inn Old Mission General Store
Old Mission Inn Old Mission Tavern

Traverse City

Traverse City is the hub of northwest Michigan and offers a wide variety of accommodations, dining options, and activities. Choose from familiar national lodging, boutique hotels, or quaint B&Bs. Traverse City is a “foodie mecca” that has gained national attention for its local fare. Choose from an array of popular eateries that each take full advantage of the area’s incredible bounty. Traverse City bustles year round with a variety of festivals, events, cultural attractions, and more. Click the links below to plan your visit.

TRAVERSE CITY LODGING >
TRAVERSE CITY DINING >
AREA EVENTS CALENDAR >

Group Guidelines

Traverse City is the hub of northwest Michigan and offers a wide variety of accommodations, dining options, and activities. Choose from familiar national lodging, boutique hotels, or quaint B&Bs. Traverse City is a “foodie mecca” that has gained national attention for its local fare. Choose from an array of popular eateries that each take full advantage of the area’s incredible bounty. Traverse City bustles year round with a variety of festivals, events, cultural attractions, and more. Click the links below to plan your visit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >
WINERY INFORMATION >

How To Take A Tour

For all its amazing scenery, perhaps the real beauty of the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula trail is that you can take it at your own pace. Stop at one, several, or all of the Old Mission wineries depending on your mood, schedule, or the whim of your group. The trail stretches along the Old Mission Peninsula and includes nine wineries, each offering its own distinctive discovery. Enjoy a self-guided tour to hit all of your must-sees or hire a private shuttle bus to assume driving duties and scheduling.

Tickets and reservations are not required. All wineries offer tastings, and many also offer wine by the glass or light bites. If you’re traveling with a large group of friends, please call ahead to make a reservation.

 

WINERY INFORMATION >
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >

How To Taste Wine

Wine tasting encompasses all five senses – how people perceive the look, flavors, smells, tactile sensations, and even the sound of wine. Each of your senses enhances the tasting experience, so you should pay keen attention to the following as you ready yourself to taste that glass of wine:



LISTEN.
Just as we start to salivate when we hear the chopping of veggies or bacon sizzling, listening to a wine bottle cork pop (or cap being unscrewed!) as well as the wine flowing from the bottle into the glass starts out the tasting experience on the right note. So in the tasting room, take a moment to listen to the bottle’s opening, glasses clinking, and wine pouring. It sets the stage for what’s to come.

LOOK. Want to know what you might be in for? Check out the wine’s clarity, color (and concentration of color), hue, and viscosity. They’ll provide valuable clues to what the wine may taste like or where its origins lie.

SMELL. A wine’s nose (aroma) contains many different aromatic compounds. The first we smell are the primary aromas. These come from the grapes and are “fruity” in smell. The secondary aromas are attained from the fermentation process and are more complex. As a wine matures, it develops a third set of aromas that are the most complex to identify. What you get, even after bottling, are some chemical reactions that will change the wine over time and allow it to develop more subtle and complex “smells”. As the wine ages, the fruitiness usually subsides after time (depending on the wine) and other aromatics become more noticeable. These may smell like black currants, truffles, or rich spices in some reds. A Riesling may develop a petrol (yes, petrol) scent after proper aging; this is due to the fruit aromas subsiding and chemical reactions occurring.

TASTE. Tasting essentially helps to confirm what your nose knows. To taste wine like a pro, try rolling the wine around in your mouth so that it comes in contact with all major taste areas. Sipping in a slight bit of air into the mouth will help to release more of the shifting compounds and magnify the taste. It may sound as though your wine is “gurgling”; then you know you’re doing it right.

FEEL. Tasting also involves feeling. Tasting includes the weight or body of wine. It basically translates into how the wine feels on your tongue. The fuller the body of the wine, the more lasting the taste and heavier the feel of the wine is in your mouth. Weight is distinguished through a combination of alcohol, glycerol, tannin, sugar, and all other non-water elements, known collectively as extract. After swallowing (or spitting) you can make a better judgment as to a wine’s body.

EXTRA CREDIT: As you improve your tasting skills, you will begin to notice a wine’s balance and finish. Balance refers to the overall harmony of the components of sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol. A wine with good balance means that no one component dominates. In essence, these components are presenting themselves equally. The length of time those flavors linger in the mouth is known as the finish.


With these steps in the back of your mind, see how your next wine tasting experience differs than your previous. Did you pick up on some new flavor notes? Notice the weight of the wine in your mouth, and how long that flavor stays with you? We encourage you to practice and share your tasting notes on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Tasting Room Etiquette

Be open-minded. Try something new. Explore and discover new favorites.

Ask questions. Our friendly staff is happy to share their considerable knowledge about different wines, their origins and how they’re made. You might be surprised at how much you can learn about the wines you taste as well as our unique grape-growing region.

Summer and fall seasons are our most popular seasons. However, we’re open year round (including weekdays), so plan a trip in the winter or spring when you can enjoy a little more personal attention and wine education.

Enjoying wine is as much about the atmosphere as the wine itself. Please be considerate of other guests by not smoking, chewing gum, or wearing strong cologne or perfume, which may detract from the “nose” and taste of the wine.

Stay engaged! The wineries encourage picture taking, but also suggests setting down phones, tablets, and technology to truly let the timeless experience of wine tasting envelop you. The sights, tastes, discussion, and camaraderie will make for the best long-lasting memories.

Patience is a virtue. This is a very popular tourist destination for good reason. Our stunning views and world-class wines on Old Mission Peninsula are comparable to any of the other great wine regions around the globe. We can be extremely busy during the summer and fall months, but we guarantee that the experience is well worth the wait. 

Shuttle Buses

While the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula may seem off the beaten path, they are actually very accessible and start at just four miles from the center of downtown Traverse City. The wineries gladly welcome larger groups with some advanced notice and can accommodate a variety of transportation. Though the wineries do not provide guest transport, Traverse City Tourism offers a list of wine tour & transportation companies that service Old Mission Peninsula – ranging from fully-hosted educational wine tours to limousine service to local cabs. Just be sure to call these companies ahead so appropriate accommodations can be made.

A few helpful questions to consider when researching the right tour or transportation company for you:

  1. Are the tasting fees included in the tour/shuttle fee? (generally $5-$10 per flight at each winery)
  2. Does the company make the winery reservations for you or do you need to call the wineries yourself?
  3. Is the company licensed with the Michigan Department of Transportation?

WINE TOURS & TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES >