Glasses of red wine by the fireplace - a cozy winter wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

It may come as a surprise, but there are plenty of fantastic things to do in Traverse City in the winter. Summer brings us plenty of adventures on the water, and fall brings stunning colors to enjoy everywhere you turn, but winter brings us a quieter season to enjoy many of these same pursuits, not to mention exquisite wine tastings on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is home to some of the best Traverse City wineries, including our own Black Star Farms. Summer and fall are plenty delightful, but the inherent stillness of winter on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers much more intimate tasting experiences and more time to savor all the qualities that make us such an exceptional place to visit.

The Leelanau Peninsula is where you’ll find Black Star Farm’s flagship winery location and our Bed and Breakfast, easily ranked as one of the best places to stay in Traverse City. We offer guests an incomparable getaway in the heart of the Traverse Wine Coast.

Whether retreating amid a busy holiday season or treating yourself to a much-needed getaway after the busy rush, there’s no better place to stay in Traverse City. Book your room at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast in Michigan today!

Group of young friends enjoying a winter wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Winter Wine Tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

When the weather gets chilly outside, it’s easy to stay at home and get warm and cozy. This winter, we invite you to do something different. Get cozy with us on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and enjoy some of the best tasting experiences – not to mention intimate and cozy accommodations – on the Traverse Wine Coast.

The Traverse Wine Coast is Michigan’s leading wine country, encompassing the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas. Though we offer tasting rooms on both peninsulas, our Suttons Bay location on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is our original flagship Black Star Farms Winery location.

As you go from one tasting room to the next along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, you’ll soon discover what we’ve long known: the world-class wines produced here! Our climate is regulated by Lake Michigan, with cold-climate-friendly grapes leading the way. There are over 25 wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, and our award-winning Suttons Bay winery is a great place to start your tasting journey.

Black Star Farms has been producing internationally acclaimed wines since 1998 and is dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices and preserving this incredible place. All of the wines produced here are made from locally-grown grapes. Over the years, we’ve perfected our craft. To date, we produce over 50 different Michigan wines and spirits from locally-grown fruit.

With such a great range of wines to explore, it’s easy to see why we’re such a coveted tasting destination on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. There’s something here for everyone – even if you aren’t traveling with a fellow wine lover! You’ll find a cozy indoor tasting room at our Suttons Bay location, just 13 miles north of downtown Traverse City.

If you’re a member of our wine club (or staying at our Bed and Breakfast!), you can join us for an elevated experience on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail in our VIP Barrel Room. We also offer other elevated wine-tasting experiences, including private Progressive Wine and Food Tastings.

After thoroughly enjoying the tastings and various experiences at Black Star Farms, we encourage you to get out and visit several other fabulous stops on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Including different tastings in your trip will leave you with a well-rounded experience and a new appreciation for the incredible wine being made here on the Traverse Wine Coast. We’d be more than happy to help you plan an itinerary of other great Leelanau Peninsula wineries to visit.

Sitting area and fireplace in the Diadem suite - a great place to enjoy while tasting along the Leelanau Peninsula wine trail this winter

Best Place to Stay in Traverse City

Though we aren’t technically located in the heart of downtown, Black Star Farms is considered one of the best places to stay in Traverse City. In fact, our location 13 miles north of Traverse City on the welcoming Leelanau Peninsula is an overall plus in our column! Not only do you have easy access to the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail while here, but you have acres of vineyard and trails to explore and a quiet, cozy destination to call your home away from home for a few days.

There are, of course, plenty of things nearby, and you’re more than welcome to use our Bed and Breakfast in Michigan as a convenient jumping-off place. More often, though, our guests treat us as the romantic destination that we are. What truly makes us one of the best places to stay in Traverse City is the curated experience you’ll enjoy once here.

Our inn features only ten guest rooms, which means you won’t be surrounded by the busy crowds and accommodations you’d find in downtown Traverse City. Each guest room is outfitted with a wide array of amenities, and all the creature comforts you crave from home. This, of course, includes a complimentary bottle of our house wine.

We also host Bistro Polaris, an on-site restaurant that means a good meal (and more delicious wine) is always within reach. Our menu is seasonally inspired and features ingredients sourced from local farms and artisans – all of which pair exceptionally well with our wines.

Many things make us one of the best places to stay in Traverse City – but it’s easy when you have an exquisite destination like the Leelanau Peninsula as your backdrop. This winter, treat yourself to the getaway you deserve and see why we’re one of the best places to stay in Traverse City. Book your room today!