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Traverse City — Cherry Harvest & Riesling Caves, MI

Destination: Traverse City & Leelanau Peninsula, MichiganNights: 3Group: 4–10Season: June, July, August, September, OctoberEstimated: $900–$1,400 per person

Three days in the cherry-stained heart of Michigan wine country, where Riesling vines cling to glacial slopes and the ritual of harvest season feels ceremonial. Begin at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay—limestone caves, barrel tastings with winemaker commentary, a private tasting of their Arcturian 2019 Riesling in the stone cellar. Dinner at The Cooks' House in Traverse City, where Chef Denise Cadieux sources cherries from the peninsula's orchards and pairs them with local lamb and house-made pasta. A dawn hike through Sleeping Bear Dunes, sand cliffs rising 450 feet above Lake Michigan, followed by a picnic of smoked whitefish, cherry preserves, and Chateau Chantal's ice wine. Nights at the Grand Traverse Resort, where the spa's cherry-stone massage becomes the weekend's quiet punctuation.

What she'll do

Wine Tour

Farm Tour

Hiking

Food Tour

Where she sleeps

  • · Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
  • · The Homestead Resort

Where she eats

  • · The Cooks' House
  • · Trattoria Stella
  • · Bowers Harbor Inn

Questions

When's peak cherry season?
July through early August is harvest time, when the orchards are in full swing and the peninsula smells of stone fruit and fermentation. September and October bring cooler days, clearer skies, and fewer crowds—equally gorgeous.
How much walking is the Sleeping Bear hike?
The Dunes Trail is a 3.5-mile loop with elevation gain; it's moderately strenuous but the payoff—Lake Michigan spreading below you—is worth every step. Wear good shoes.
Can we do a private cave tasting?
Yes. Black Star Farms and Chateau Chantal both offer private tastings in their cellars if you book ahead; it's a different experience than the group tours, more intimate and unhurried.

Ready to book the story?

Five quick questions, then we build the full itinerary — lodging, daily schedule, dining, bars, the group-chat message — and drop you into a Trip Room you can share with the crew.