OLD MISSION

Old Mission is an 18-mile peninsula just north of downtown Traverse City. Hugged by the eastern and western arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Low-key elegance. Lots of vacation homes, but residents regularly fight to preserve the rural character of the peninsula.

Old Mission is the oldest permanent settlement in the Grand Traverse Area. This picturesque village, near the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, was founded in 1839, today it is a resort area, reminiscent of a New England town.  

“It’s a world-class-quality wine region within driving distance of the Midwest, in a really gorgeous area,” says Matt Lundy, distribution manager of Chateau Fontaine winery in Lake Leelanau. “It’s a jack-of-all-trades destination.”

“The Leelanau is rural, with cornfields, cherries, and many wineries tucked down country roads,” says Knorr. “Old Mission is the long, skinny peninsula with orchards, vineyards, and high-end homes, a lot of elegance.”

In the last 20 years, lofty ambitions and serious money have created wineries with stylish tasting rooms and scenic verandas to pamper guests. The most highly regarded varietals are crisp riesling, citrusy pinot gris, and sparkling wine. But as the vineyards age into maturity, all the wine is getting finer, Lundy says. “After 20 years, we’re getting to a point where we can compete on a worldwide scale.”

Ten wineries make up the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail. They range from the continental formality of Chateau Chantal to the sleek, low-key Brys Estate. Chateau Chantal has an inn, cooking classes, jazz, wine dinners, and cellar tours. Some smaller wineries simply have wine tastings and beautiful views. Most showcase the stunning sight of vineyards cascading down to Grand Traverse Bay.

The Mission Point Lighthouse at the peninsula’s tip is on the 45th parallel, which marks the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole. Stop by Pyatt Lake Natural Preserve, a wooded dune and lake beloved by locals.