NOT JUST ANOTHER TRAVERSE CITY WINERY
Old Mission Peninsula wineries are popular destinations for locals and visitors alike. Traverse City wineries host crowds of people touring the area’s wine trails all year long. Wineries may be a dime a dozen in the Traverse City region, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. We’re proud of the ways we approach making and sharing our wine with you that set us apart from many other wineries in the region.
Here are just a few fun facts about Chateau Grand Traverse that make us “not just another Traverse City winery”:
The Original Old Mission Winery
CGT is the original Old Mission Peninsula winery. Our founder identified the Old Mission Peninsula as a potential European grape-growing region before anyone else believed it was possible. Despite the experts insisting northern Michigan’s climate was too cold and harsh for growing fine wine grapes, we founded Chateau Grand Traverse and went on to establish Old Mission Peninsula as a recognized AVA for growing wine. That maverick spirit still influences how we operate today.
Vine-to-Bottle Approach to Winemaking
At Chateau Grand Traverse, the whole winemaking process, from vine to bottle, takes place on-site. We grow 123.7 acres of our own vines and another 84.3 acres are grown exclusively for us by contracted growers in the region. We harvest, press, ferment, bottle, and sell all our award-winning wines right here on the premises.
Family Business
We’re not just a second-generation, family-run business – we also have many staff members who have become just like family over the years. Several key members of our crew have been with us for more than 20 years!
Our dynamic team shares a mutual dedication to creating outstanding wines, preserving our environment, and nurturing business opportunities for all Traverse City wineries.
Sustainable Viticulture
Northern Michigan is a special place, and we’re committed to doing our part to sustain the local environment for future generations. We have implemented programs such as soil erosion control, composting and permaculture to achieve excellent grape harvests without destroying our water or ecosystems.
Chateau Grand Traverse is proud to be certified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, which reflects our commitment to the highest farming standards.
Making Affordable, Local, Delicious Wines
At the end of the day, we do things the way we do because we love great wine. We want everyone to enjoy the fruits of our labors, which is why we offer a diverse selection of affordable and approachable wines.
In our wine shop you will find whites, reds, and rosés. If you enjoy dry wines, we have a great selection of dry whites, reds and rosés to choose from. If you have a sweet tooth, you will love our fruit wines and port-style cherry dessert wine. And when weather conditions in December are just right, we offer limited runs of highly sought-after, traditionally-made, ice wine.
Old Mission Peninsula wineries have a lot to offer wine enthusiasts like yourself. Come visit Chateau Grand Traverse to see what makes us “not just another Traverse City winery.”