Winery FAQ

Your questions, answered

Winery FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you charge for Wine Tasting?

CGT wine tastings include 5 tastes of any of our wines for $10 per person. For more information about wine tastings, click here.

When is the best time to visit your Tasting Room?

Our winery tasting room is open daily, year-round. If you are looking for a quiet afternoon with one-on-one assistance with our knowledgeable Tasting Room servers, then we recommend anytime Monday-Thursday. If you are looking for a lot of interaction with other visitors and a more festive atmosphere, we recommend visiting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 1pm-4pm. From mid-September through late October, our tasting room is very busy, especially on weekends. If you plan to visit during these times, we recommend that you arrive early or late in the day when it isn’t as busy.

What is the best wine you make at Chateau Grand Traverse?

Simply stated…the best wine we make is the wine you like best!

What is the price range of your wines?

Our regular wines range in price from around $ 9.00 to $30.00 and we offer quantity discounts. Certain specialty or rare wines can be considerably higher. We are often noted for offering excellent wines, great service and very reasonable prices.

Do you offer anything else besides wine?

Our winery tasting room has plenty to offer visitors besides wine, including cider and cold brew coffee. We also have a fantastic assortment of high-quality foods, wine paraphernalia, glassware, trinkets and specialty items. Many guests comment on the quality and variety of items we offer.

Can I bring my kids to the winery?

Well behaved kids are always welcome on the grounds but need to be closely attended to by parents at all times. We do not have a playground or offer activities for children, so please consider bringing quiet activities to keep them entertained. Children are allowed in the winery and on our tours. Anyone under the age of 21 cannot drink, even with a parent’s consent. We also cannot allow children to be at the bar during tastings.

Can we bring our pet to Chateau Grand Traverse?

We love meeting your furry friends at CGT! Leashed pets are more than welcome on the property, specifically the parking lot and grassy areas, as long as you pick up after it. Dogs are also welcome on our patio, but we do ask that you respect our posted rules, which include keeping your dog leashed and under your control at all times. Please note that dogs are still not allowed in the tasting room, on winery tours, or at The Inn.  

Do you have any suggestions to make my wine tasting experience better?

To have the best wine tasting experience, it is important to be open-minded and be willing to try new wines. Our servers are experienced and well informed and will help you discover new tastes and styles. Try to have a clean palate and avoid wearing heavy perfume, eating mints, smoking, consuming sweet beverages/candy/ice cream, and spicy foods before tasting. As a courtesy to all, please turn off your cell phone when entering our tasting room.

Do you offer quantity discounts?

Yes, we offer 10% off on 6-11 bottles, 15% off 1-2 Cases, 20% off on 3-4 cases, and 25% on 5+ cases.

Do you have a wine club?

Yes, click here for more information.

Do you offer private labels?

Unfortunately, we do not have the capability to produce custom or private labels at this time. 

Are your facilities handicapped accessible?

Yes. We have handicapped spaces available in our upper and lower parking lots. We suggest, however, that anyone needing assistance be dropped off near the upper side of the tasting room first – the lower parking lot would require a short walk uphill and around the front entrance. Our main tasting room also has a handicapped accessible tasting bar.

Do I need to make a reservation for a tour?

Yes. Our professionally guided tour experience is limited to groups of just 8 individuals. We will offer tours on a limited basis Memorial Day through Labor Day, on Saturday and Sunday only. Please call the winery to book your tour at (231) 938-6120.

How long does a winery tour last?

Tours last about 45-60 minutes.

What should I expect to see on a tour?

Our professionally guided tour experience will allow guests to get a truly up-front view of the entire winemaking process from vine to bottle. Beginning at our Estate vineyard with breathtaking views of West Grand Traverse Bay, guests will tour our wine production facility featuring 100 large stainless-steel tanks. View our climate controlled 600-barrel aging room where our wines are gradually maturing. Enjoy a sampling direct from the tank of wine currently in process. Upon conclusion, guest will also receive a voucher to enjoy a sit-down glass of wine on our sunny vineyard-side patio. This is a unique experience for those keenly interested in learning more about the winemaking process in a casual Q&A format.

Is there a lot of walking or standing?

Although we like to keep the group moving, there is a need to walk and stand on a hard surface. In addition, the winery can be cold and the floor may be wet.

Is the tour suitable for children?

We certainly welcome children and hope they find the tour interesting. Since the topics can be a bit technical and serious, smaller children may not be interested.

Is the tour barrier free?

We can always accommodate anyone in a wheelchair or scooter. There are no stairs to climb during the tour but hoses or barrels can sometimes be in the way. Due to the floor being wet at many times, it is important to have good footing and stability.

Can I bring outside alcohol to Chateau Grand Traverse?

Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited by the Michigan Liquor Control anywhere on Chateau Grand Traverse property. This activity could jeopardize our license, so we kindly ask that you please respect this policy. Any outside alcohol that is brought onto the property will be confiscated, and you will be asked to leave immediately.

Do you offer wine by the glass?

We offer wine and cider by the glass, year-round, in addition to our flight options. Glass prices range from $5 – $10 depending on the wine. For more information about wine by the glass and flights, click here.

Do you have a restaurant on-site?

While we do not have a restaurant on-site, our patio does offer a small bites menu, with items like charcuterie, cheese and crackers, or seasoned olives. There are a number of excellent restaurants near our winery as well. To see our full patio menu, click here.

Do you allow guests to have picnics at your facilities?

Because we have food available on site, outside food is not permitted. Unfortunately, at this time we do not provide facilities, glassware and clean-up for guests to picnic at our winery. There are a number of nearby parks and beaches though, which would make for beautiful picnic spots. For more information on the Grand Traverse Region and other activities in the area, click here

Is smoking allowed at Chateau Grand Traverse?

Chateau Grand Traverse is a fully smoke-free property. No smoking is allowed inside, outside the winery, or in the vineyards, including the use of e-cigarettes and vapes.  

What hotels are nearby Chateau Grand Traverse?

We offer a beautiful 6 room winery Inn. If this isn’t what you’re seeking, there are several great hotels in the area. The best source of information is traversecity.com.

What is there to see or do on Old Mission Peninsula?

The Old Mission Peninsula offers 11 wineries, 7 restaurants and bars, numerous beaches, parks, boating, lighthouse and historical attractions, scenery, camping, friendly people, hiking/biking/cross country skiing/snowshoeing trails. It’s a great motorcycle or convertible cruise. It’s a popular destination for road bikers. For more information about Old Mission Peninsula and the Grand Traverse region, click here.

Can I find your wine in stores or restaurants?

Yes! We are currently carried in many restaurants and retailers. Click here to find a store or restaurant in your area that carries our wines.

Do you ship wine?

Yes! Click here to view our Shipping Policy.

Do your wines contain sulfites?

Yes.  Sulfites are a natural by‐product of the fermentation process. Otherwise known as sulfur dioxide, it is a compound that is naturally produced in winemaking and is found in virtually every wine.  Our winemaker may add very small amounts of additional sulfites to the wine since it does much to protect the wine. It inhibits unwanted bacteria and yeast growth. It is also an antioxidant, which keeps the wine fresh. Sulfites slow the oxidation process, helping preserve the wine’s flavor as it ages. All wines made from fruit (including grapes) naturally contain sulfites. Only meads – wines made from honey – are sulfite-free.

The TTB, Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (formerly the BATF, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms), requires that no more than 300 ppm (parts per million) or 0.03% of sulfites, be added to wines.   Our wines average approximately 180 ppm or 0.018%.

How many calories/carbohydrates are in a glass of wine?

On average, a 5 ounce glass of dry wine contains about 125 calories and 3-5 grams of carbohydrate.  If the wine is much sweeter in style it could be around 250 calories per glass and 12-16 grams carbohydrate.

Will you donate to our non-profit fundraising event?

Chateau Grand Traverse is proud to support local and non-profit organizations on an annual basis. Due to the overwhelming amount of donation requests received, we are unable to give to each event or organization.  If you are looking for a donation, please fill out this Donation Request Form (PDF) and return to the winery with a formal request at least one month before the event date.  You can fax or mail the form, or email to [email protected]. For more information about donations, please click here. Thank you for thinking of us!

Find Us

The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse
12301 Center Road (M-37)
Traverse City, Michigan 49686 USA
Reservations: (231) 223-7355
Fax: (231) 223-4105
[email protected]

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