Find cool sips & chill spots to hang out this summer

I haven’t made it to every winery in Northern Michigan yet this summer, there are over 40 in the greater Traverse City region alone!

Many offer lively patio scenes, and quite a few are serving up one of my favorite warm-weather treats, the wine slushie. While I’m still working my way through the full list, I wanted to highlight a few that I’ve visited this year that check all the boxes: great wine, gorgeous patios, and yes, refreshing, chilled wine slushies.

Now, I get it, wine slushies may not be the most elevated of beverages. The purists might scoff at the idea of a rosé frosé. But on a hot summer afternoon, with the sun on your shoulders and a vineyard view in front of you, there’s nothing better. Cold, fruity, and fun, these playful pours are the ultimate way to cool down.

I’m filing this post under my “Wine Tour Route” series, though technically, this isn’t a route in the traditional sense; these wineries are a bit spread out. But you could easily weave one into your own tour depending on where you’re wandering that day.

What I Like About These Wineries

Perched atop Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Chantal offers one of the most scenic settings in Northern Michigan wine country. The tasting room has patios on both sides, each overlooking a different bay!

The Shady Lane patio and casual garden setting make it an easy place to unwind, whether you’re on a tasting tour or just escaping for a lazy afternoon to hang out in a hammock under the pines.

Bel Lago means “beautiful lake,” and their hilltop location lives up to the name. Past the beautiful gardens around the patio, the views stretch across vineyards toward South Lake Leelanau.

All of these wineries also regularly have live music in the summer, which amps up the chill patio vibe even more.

More Slushy News Soon!

As I visit more wineries this summer, I’ll keep an eye out for more slushies and add them to this list below!