We know after the holiday season, many of us feel those January blues. We need a change of pace or scenery to give us something to look forward to. Well, lucky for you, we’ve designed the perfect antidote with a trip to beautiful northern Michigan wine country! The itinerary includes some of our Rove Recs with places you must try and fun things to do up here during a winter wine weekend. Truthfully though, there are SO MANY choices that we could probably write a blog series about all there is to see, taste, and sip here in beautiful Traverse City.
During the weekly commute to work or whatnot, the cold and snowy weather can be a bit of a drag. However, those of us who live in the Great White North choose to embrace this quiet, restorative, snowy wonderland. In fact, we highly recommend visiting the region in the winter or during the shoulder seasons. It’s the perfect opportunity to have a lowkey and more intentional visit. Many of the folks you meet at our local businesses have the time to talk and form a much more personable connection, sharing tips from locals or favorite spots. Eating, drinking, and visiting areas that us locals frequent will surely give you a much more meaningful experience.
Friday Evening
For high-energy vibes to kick off your wine weekend, we recommend… Mama’s Lu’s Taco Shop. They have fresh and delicious tacos for everyone and not to mention, some of the best guacamole in town. We’re pretty sure their street corn will go down in history, so make sure you try ‘em.
They carry local wine, beer, and cider, but if we are being honest, we are obsessed with their margaritas! Nothing says vacation like a margarita, and they have really fun options. Try the Champagne Margarita, which features a local winery’s sparkling wine!
If you’re coming off a long week at work, you may just be feeling like a relaxing evening to unwind and rest up for an action-packed weekend. After all, it is a vacation. If this is your ideal Friday evening in Traverse City, we recommend picking up some pizza from a local favorite, Charles and Reid Detroit Style Pizza! We love the SOOOO-EEEYYY and the PEP IN YO’ STEP, but always keep an eye out for these pizza geniuses’ specials! They are incredible! Not to mention their owners, Dan and Kristen (and baby Jacqueline), are one of the coolest families in town! There is a lot of love going into those pizzas, and it shows.
Saturday AM
Although it may not be peak season for tourism in Nomi, there is still so much to do!
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a great place to start any day! If you’re in the mood for brunch, we recommend Red Spire Brunch House or Sugar 2 Salt! If you’re just looking for a quick cup of joe, look no further than Higher Grounds Trading Co.
During the winter, the Commons hosts the Indoor Farmer’s Market from 10 AM-2 PM (on Saturdays) for delicious local produce, meat, jams, soaps, lotions, and so much more. Don’t forget to pick up a delicious pastry from 9 Bean Rows while you’re there. You won’t regret it!
The Commons is also a hub for beautiful boutique shops that are perfect for unique items, souvenirs, and local goods. Definitely take some time to do some shopping while you’re there!
Saturday Afternoon
Winter afternoons are the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors and your favorite local wine. You can kill two birds with one stone here at Rove Estate. We have snowshoe trails around the vineyard available all winter long. You can do loops around our snow-covered vines or take a hike through our path in the woods that leads to Rove Point, the highest point in Leelanau county.
After enjoying the fresh air, you can taste some of our estate-grown wines. Maybe even stick around for a glass or two of your favorites. If you hang around long enough, you will be able to catch the sunset! Sunsets at Rove are seriously some of the best around, and even better with a glass of wine in hand. We are known (year round) for incredible sunsets due to our panoramic views and very high altitude. Friday through Sunday, we offer our seasonal favorite—hot winter sangria in mugs—and have our solo fire pits pumping out heat. The perfect combination to warm up after a hike around the vineyard during your wine weekend.
If you do not have your own snowshoes, there are plenty of places in the area to rent them! Check the Traverse City Tourism guide to snowshoeing here for recommendations!
Saturday Evening
If you have not made it to Farm Club yet, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to check it out! Farm Club is a farm, restaurant, brewery, bakery, and marketplace. In the winter, they bring out their Shepherd’s Tent, complete with a cozy wood burning stove where you can book a private four-course meal for $65 per person. This is a fantastic opportunity to taste true farm-to-table northern Michigan cuisine. They also have a fantastic menu of their own beers, local wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options!
If the Shepherd’s Tent is booked out, their constantly fresh and changing menu for indoor dining is a fantastic option.
Sunday
If you’re looking for that little extra R&R before you head back home, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa offers incredible services of massage, facials, nail care, and access to their pools, hot tubs, saunas, and fitness centers. Begin your morning feeling rejuvenated!
For some fuel for your journey home, try Raduno, which features seasonal salads, sandwiches, baked goods, pasta, and more! The menu is constantly rotating as they carefully source all of their ingredients and produce from local Michigan farmers. We love the local love!
Lake District Wine Co. is a neighbor to Raduno so you can stop in and pick up some wine for the journey home. Their extensive selection features international wines as well as many of our local wineries. These weekends are just too short to visit every single winery here in the Traverse Wine Coast, but this is a perfect one-stop shop to try another local winery and give you ideas on where to go for your next adventure in beautiful northern Michigan!
