Set on a 65-acre estate along Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Chantal is one of the prettiest wine-tasting stops in the region, and it works just as well as a rainy-day plan as it does a sunny-afternoon one. The tasting room sits high on a ridge with water visible on both sides of the peninsula, and even when the weather doesn’t cooperate outside, the indoor tasting experience is warm, unhurried, and genuinely enjoyable. Their wine list runs from dry whites to dessert wines, and the staff are happy to walk first-timers through the lineup without any pretension. It’s a great stop for couples looking for a slower afternoon, or for splitting up a group where some want wine and others just want the view. Old Mission Peninsula is dotted with wineries, but Chateau Chantal’s combination of setting and hospitality keeps it near the top of our list to recommend. The peninsula drive itself is worth it regardless of weather, with water on either side for nearly the entire route. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Traverse City, making it easy to pair with a Trattoria Stella dinner reservation the same evening.
