A 19-mile-long narrow peninsula extending into Grand Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, home to one of America's most unexpected wine regions. The surrounding waters of Lake Michigan moderate the extreme continental climate, creating a natural thermal belt that allows Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and even Cabernet Franc to ripen in a region at the same latitude as Bordeaux. Cool nights and a long growing season produce wines of remarkable aromatic intensity.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Balanced vintage with excellent aromatic development and natural acidity. |
| 2022 | — | Record quality; Chateau Grand Traverse Riesling earned national gold medals. |
| 2021 | — | Strong vintage; Old Mission Peninsula wines increasingly competitive nationally. |
| 2020 | — | Solid vintage despite pandemic; cellar-door sales replaced export channels. |
| 2019 | — | Best vintage in a decade; Michigan wines featured in national wine press. |
| 2018 | — | Strong growing season with maritime moderation; national recognition growing. |
| 2017 | — | Spring frost challenged early budding vines; survivors produced concentrated fruit. |
| 2016 | — | Outstanding cool vintage; Riesling showed exceptional mineral freshness. |
| 2015 | — | Lake Michigan's thermal effect moderated summer heat; excellent ripeness. |