Brengman Family Wines

Started off TC Restaurant Week strong at Cafe Exalt! All 3 courses were fantastic, but the pear and cranberry galette was the star of the show! Great service and atmosphere as well!!

WOW! Decided that for TC Restaurant Week we would go to places we have never been before, which led us to Brengman Family Wines. This was a WIN all the way around! Our friend, who is a self proclaimed "wine snob" loved the "dry" wine she asked for. Then dinner, all 3 courses were a 10!!!! The seared Halloumi was divine! (Honestly, was not sure what we were getting) OH MY! So good! The Short Ribs fell off the bone into a beautiful sea of polenta and root veggies! So good! We then were presented with individual pear & cranberry galettes and the perfect scoop of ice cream! What a night! We will absolutely be back, the kitchen is open year round (new learning for us) and has a wonderful menu including oysters!!! We met Joanie, one of the owners, she welcomed us, shared a bit of the history (because we asked) shared about events like game night and made us feel like we were part of the family! Can't wait to return! I was so busy tasting, I forgot to take pictures! Believe me, worth the drive!

What a great spot. We had two of the pizzas and the truffle fries. Great hosts. They make their own vermouth sweetened with maple syrup. AND, this is a distillery as well as a winery.

Best food and wine pairing. Great service, wine and friendly staff. Thank you , Ben and Joanie for a great evening

We had a great stay at Brengman Brothers Winery which is located just West of Grand Traverse Bay, North of Traverse City. We were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be hosted by Brengman Brothers through Harvest Host. The winery and tasting room is situated on a hill overlooking the orchards. The facility was beautiful and offered indoor and outdoor seating options. The staff was friendly and accommodating. We shared a charcuterie board and tasted their wine which was excellent. My wife enjoyed the Chardonnay.We spent the night in the orchards in our RV. The climb to the top of the hill overlooking he orchards was fairly simple and we had a picnic table and fire ring. The sunrise over the orchard was magnificent. Thanks again to Brengman Brothers for the great hospitality.

We came here last year and this year this did not disappoint! Shout out to Evan, and Matt, for showing absolute hospitality and knowledge of the wines. We have been to many wineries and there are few that leave an impression and this place is great! I love that they simply say, have a splash to taste to figure out what you'd like to get glass of. Very laid back, friendly, but beautiful tasting room. Very clean. We will come back to taste the food!

Absolutely magical place to spend an afternoon sampling wine. Charming host and very attentive staff. They listen to you likes and dislikes, making recommendations and are welcoming of "push back" on suggestions. The team truly wants you to be satisfied. I found this gem through Harvest Host spent a peaceful night on the hill overlooking the vineyards.

I have visited Brengman Brothers Multiple years in a row, they are the number one reason I return to Traverse City every year. They are the epitome of of relaxation and peace. The property is well maintained beautiful, the wine (I’ve tried quite a few) is all very good. I have not tried one wine there that I didn’t like, even some that I wouldn’t pick for myself but tried anyway were fantastic. I also feel that they have the best food in the entire city. It’s all very fresh, they use local ingredients in their food and it shows. They are also extremely creative with the dishes the curate. Don’t visit without having the curry relish, honorable mention to the Watermelon Mezcal sorbet! The staff and owners who remember my friends and I each year are very hospitable and kind. The service and experience is truly top tier. If you’re looking for your sign to try them out, this is it.

Brengman Brothers Winery offers a welcoming experience with a modern, well-maintained building that feels inviting from the moment you walk in. The two private restroom stalls were clean, adding to the comfortable environment. The aromas of pizza baking made the space feel homey and relaxing. A nice touch was being offered complimentary wine splashes to help us find a glass to suit our taste, which was a thoughtful and appreciated service. We were lucky enough to visit on a day they had an oyster bar, which added a fun and unique first-time experience for us. Sampling the different varieties made the visit memorable and enjoyable. The large outdoor patio is a great space, though it felt a bit underutilized, with just a single gas fire pit for warmth. We'd love to see more heaters added for the cooler fall evenings, but overall, we had a great time and would definitely return.

I had never heard of this winery but we went to Rove today, to start, and they recommended Brengman, since it was only about ten minutes away, so we decided to check it out. When we walked in, the bartender asked us what kind of drinks we like. I said I like sweet drinks, and he poured me a small sample of one and asked if I liked it; It ended up being a Riesling, and it was really good, so I purchased a glass. My future sister-in-law told him she likes more dry drinks and I believe he gave her a dry Riesling to try, which she also liked. Two of the five people on my trip don't drink, and they had a pretty nice mocktail menu from which they could order. They also had a pretty nice outdoor area where we sat. They have food selections as well, the grilled cheese looked pretty good and of course they have charcuterie and stuff like that. Overall this was a nice winery, although it's not by the water.

This is solely based off the sparkling wine options. I am just not a fan. The vineyard, staff, and ambiance were satisfying. Very laidback vibe.

Seriously I cannot believe I have never been to this winery before today!! The wine is excellent, the food is incredible and the service was epic!! We met the owner Ed and he was so delightful to talk too. Our server Evan was so attentive and informative!! The oysters and salmon were out of this world!! The place is so very nice. Definitely a winery you do not want to miss!!

For our 2022 Traverse city vacation we decided to hit all new wineries that we hadn't yet visited. We decided that Brengman brothers was worthy of our visit this year after getting recommendations from a local photographer in Leland Fishtown. The photographer happened to be their very first member, and some of the artwork was his that was hanging in the winery. The winery is very beautiful and has a rustic farmhouse style. The service was outstanding, and all the staff were very knowledgeable about the wines they were serving. We decided to do flights of wine, and sit outside with the beautiful weather. They don't have the iconic views that many of the other wineries have with the lake, but their wine is absolutely amazing. They have two wines with the most amazing names. theGUDsht Red and Dagüdsht. We got a good laugh and agreed with the name after trying them. We bought a bottle of the red. It was a little pricy so we only got 1. Everything we tried was phenomenal, and we are considering on joining their wine club. Overall, this winery has a beautiful bar, and wonderful wine. They also have a restaurant in Grand Rapids, Forty Pearl. You can go try their wine at their restaurant if you can't make it to traverse city. Definitely a winery worthy of the must visits to add to your list when you head north.

More upscale winery that we went to during a weekend getaway. The first time we discovered this place was during the pandemic when we stayed at an airbnb literally down the road off M-22. It was one mile from this winery so it was nice to just have a place nearby. We weren't able to use the tasting room then but we did get a few bottles. I remember them being quite expensive (when comparing to other places in the area). This time around the tasting room is fully open, but there was a wedding happening so they were only open until 1:30 or 2pm. No worries! We made the most of it and enjoyed a nice glass of wine despite the light rain/sprinkle. We were able to walk among the vineyards and got some gorgeous photos before we all had to leave the premises. Their wine is definitely more expensive (my friend really loved their Cab Franc but it was $60 for a bottle) but their tastings are generous pours. The lad working there was gracious and nice to us too! 10/10 would recommend.

I had a bowl of French onion soup, it was alright. Service: Good, no issues. Ambiance: it's a vineyard, ambiance abounds. Wine: There was rose, it was good. Thanks.

This was both a destination stop to checkout a new winery and a Harvest Host overnight camping stay. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. My wife and I had a flight or reds and a flight of whites. All were great. We got a bottle of their barrel aged Chardonnay to dine in with their in-house pizza and a kale salad that was as truly out of this world. The space is very inviting; they have indoors and outdoors.

I lived in Napa and have enjoyed many wineries throughout the US, and if I go back to visit Traverse City again, I will most certainly be back to this winery. I am shocked that the average review isn't above 4 stars. I am typically enjoy Cabernet and Chardonnay, but the staff here has me try their different rosès, and I could buy an entire case! I wasn't a fan of the earthy tones rosè, but they had a very well balanced one that I quite enjoyed. The ambiance is wonderful. It does look out to a road, but the property is surrounded by vines, and it's quite extensive. You can take a walk through the vineyard and be all alone if you desired. This winery also serves wood fired pizza, which is a huge plus! The one thing that made me laugh was that I asked for half cheese and half pepperoni pizza, and they thought I meant only put cheese on half of the pizza, so you can look at the pictures to see how it turned out... it was delicious, nonetheless!

Disclaimer: This is a review by someone who doesn't drink alcohol because she's allergic! Read on for a review of the vibes, ambiance, and non-alcoholic options (if any)! Cute, new winery! Not really any views here, but the vibes are good! The employees are so nice and are really passionate about the work here. They were educating us on how their wine is made, which I always find interesting, despite me not being able to try any of it! Bonus, they are BOTH dog-friendly on their wonderfully ginormous patio AND have some cool non-alcoholic options! They brew their own kombucha and it was so smooth & delicious! I was very pleased :)

You will miss a real treat if you don't visit Brengman's Brothers! We are winery veterans and I have to say this is one of our favorites. The whites AND the reds are amazing. Staff is friendly and most likely you will be able to meet the owner. Robert Brengman and his wife as well as his brother often mingle with the guests out under the large tent or in the tasting room making all feel welcome. Robert would be happy to teach you about his wines and truly make your experience memorable. This is not just another "boring pouring" but rather a wonderful educational experience teaching you about what makes their wines so special. I haven't even touched on the wonderful food selection (seriously good pizza, charcuterie boards, sandwiches) extended hours, the many nights with musical entertainment, the specialty dinners, brunches, oyster specials or even Roberts' artwork that Grace the walls of the tasting room but all make this winery truly special. They even will make your wedding day, rehearsal dinner or special event memorable. All this and you can even camp on-site with permission. This winery truly has it all. Come enjoy!

The wine is very good and so is the food! We had the grilled cheese. It was delicious! The service was great, and it's also a beautiful spot. Would definitely go back!

This place was such a pleasant surprise. We booked an overnight RV stay though Harvest Hosts and as is customary with their program, we planned our arrival in time to grab a meal and wine tasting, too. We were so blown away by the wine selections that we instantly signed up as members come on and the pizza was also extraordinary. The venue is also absolutely gorgeous. We befriended a couple who had gotten married there is married there a few years ago And they had nothing but great things to say about that experience as well. They have some firepets for the French seasons when it's a bit chilly outside and and a fireplace inside as well. The staff was extraordinarily knowledgeable come out friendly, and helpful. The bathrooms were spacious and well kept. The grounds are also lovely and we loved our overnight RV stay on site. One of our favorite memories made this year.

First visit to Brengmans. Nice tasting room and great personal tour by Eddie Brengman. Great selections of wines and was surprised to learn and taste their great reds. They truly have the love of the grape running through their veins. This is a good place to stop on your wine tours, Its all about helping you enjoy your wines.

Great winery! Long bar to sit at. fireplace, seating, plenty of tables, outside vibe, high pitched ceiling. Fun place, nice setting. W

Late harvest riesling was my favorite! They don't do fights here, but do 2 complementary tastings before a glass. If you like sweet wine (like Moscato is come here)

Great Wine, Great Food, and Great service. Family stopped in for our first time and loved the place. Brengman Brother's was very clean and everyone felt welcome. We will be back!

Wine was okay. View was okay. The staff weren't warm or personable, and had very basic knowledge of wine related questions/questions related to the aged balsamic they were selling. If you do stop here, try the cherry dessert wine!

I kinda stopped trying to get in. Seems like there's always a private event and closed to public. Wine is decent. Staff is always great (when you can get in). Atmosphere is awesome. There are other winery's around that are more convenient and honestly a little more quaint.

This winery is superb. We lived in Sonoma county, CA for many years and would have to say most of the wines at Brengman were quite impressive. Our wine steward, Rich, was extremely knowledgeable and share how the winery is very sustainable and responsible. I would highly recommend visiting the winery if your enjoy quality wines and a beautiful venue. Enjoy

Yelp is funny sometimes. Please remember that most reviews of wineries in northern Michigan are made from people who are just wanting to get inebriated as cheap as possible. Having worked in the wine industry as well as the food industry I can say hands down that Brengman brothers winery checks all of the boxes from a destination stand point. The senic views are lovely unless you hate looking at grape vines and lavender blooming. If you want seasonal employees who don't know the wines they are selling, please skip this place. If you want basic food that is not creative, skip this place as it is totally farm to table. OG Pizza is to die for. If you want thin red wines that most michigan wineries provide, skip this place. Outside of Mari's itallian blend, the Gudsht blend is the best red I have experienced year after year from a Michigan blend. Please ignore this review so I don't have to deal with tour busses packing this little piece of heaven and still allow me to arrive at 2pm and feel like they only cater to me.

My brother in law found this place, and it's another one we are very fond of. The wine is very good, every different one we've tried. Also a nice change of pace and great to bring home is the dry and sweet vermouth that are homemade. The vermouth will be the only vermouth you want to use for cocktails anymore. This will continue to be a place that we visit when in town.

First time coming to this winery and we'll definitely be back. From the hospitality of Ed, Robert, and the staff, including Kevin their dog, everything was fantastic. We enjoyed the pull-apart bread accompanied by a glass of the Viognier, which I found very refreshing. My wife enjoyed the Pinot Noir Rose and we ended up taking some of each home with us. I also had to try the rye whiskey, which I was pleasantly surprised by, and ended up taking some of that home too. Great place to bring your dog as well as they are dog friendly and there are a lot of areas outdoors covered and uncovered to sit. Next trip I'll try the reds & the vodka. We are a fan! John & Christine W

This was last on our list touring the wine trail near Traverse City. Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill Vineyards is located at the top of Crain Hill Road, close to Grand Traverse Bay and 5 miles from downtown Traverse City. I was excited to visit this winery. You will first noticed the acres of vineyards. Beautiful greens and landscapes. You go up the hill and as you enter the tasting room, you noticed the beautiful lighting coming through the windows. It's very spacious and open. Love the décor. It's very simple, comfortable and cozy. We were greeted by Emily. She was super sweet and friendly. Very knowledgeable on the wines. I did the wine tasting for $6.00. You get 6 tastings of your choice on the list. I did the reds. Here is what I tasted: From the Brengman Brothers Artist series label: -2012 Pinot Noir Runaway Hen Label: -2011 Rosso Red: Perfect blend of Cab, Merlot, and Refosco. This is their most popular wine and I can see why. Bold, full bodied, and smooth. Valpanera Label: -2007 Riserva: Impressive bouquet of tobacco, spice and coffee, aged 16 months in French barrels. -2008 Superiore: Scents of brushwood, blackberries and spices, aged 8 months in French barrels. -2010 Refosco: A winner of a double gold medal from the Tasters Guild with big plum and blackberry flavors. -2008 Alma: Blend of Refosco, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged 16 months in French Barrels. It was so hard to choose my favorite. I ended up getting a bottle of the Refosco for $14.95. A must visit! It's very close to Traverse City. Great experience and friendly employees.

Very bitter wines, weak and quiet gal offering the tasting , better views. Outdated website re price of tastings as they are individually priced from 2-4 and Yelp offer.

So glad we stopped here. Incredible white wine selection and knowledgeable staff. It will definitely be part of our rotation next time we're in TC.

I'm Michigan born and bred, I haven't tasted Michigan wines as complex and artful as I have at Brengman Bros. Cindy is knowledgeable and caused us to go outside of our norm- so thankful that she did. Robert and Ed have created something SO beautiful and honest in their wine-making. The Viognier brought literal tears to my eyes! The Gewurtztraminer and Reisling were complex, ethereal, an fully unexpected. Thank you gentlemen for your integrity to your craft and ever-gracious hosting.

After driving around the Leelanau Peninsula drinking some wine, we passed a huge solar system and turned in. Luckily so because the best wine we had all day. Their vineyard is located on a old conservatory so they are an environmentally verified farm. They got a grant for their solar panel system in 2013. It was the first dual axis sun tracker system in Michigan. They do all their irrigation and run the tasting room off this system. Almost completely zero net meter. The important part to most is that the wine is in a complex variety and the staff is kind and knowledgeable. I highly recommend and will be back for sure. Happy tasting friends!

We went here to have some wine and had read they had pizza. We hadn't eaten yet and it was 2:30 pm. When we got there, we learned the chef had taken ill and pizza might be difficult, which was fine, they also have charcuterie boards. But Graham, one of the two guys working the tasting counter, offered to make us one. It was terrific. The crust was great and he did the toppings just right. We had a wonderful visit, loved the wine and even had leftover pizza a few nights later. I can't say enough about how good it was or how great Graham and the other staffer were. Highly recommend.

We decided to check out this winery for wine tasting because we've heard phenomenal reviews about it. We emailed the company earlier in the day to confirm tasting hours, so we drove 30 minutes out of our way just to see them. Upon arrival, they told us they were closed for a private party, which they completely failed to mention when we contacted them earlier in the day. They were a complete disappointment and didn't even seem to care that we told them we drove all the way from Metro Detroit when they asked if we could come back tomorrow. Although they were extremely kind, I thought it extremely rude that they confirmed that they would be open for tasting earlier in the day, and upon arrival, they mysteriously had a, "private party," and were closing early today.

My vote for the best tasting room in Leelanau county! The building is gorgeous and as you sip your wine you can enjoy the beautiful views of the rolling hills. Are you looking for a place in Leelanau county to bring your friends out for a pre-dinner glass of wine? This place will impress all of your friends with both the view and their wine presentation. You can order full glass servings of their tasty wine selections and sit back to enjoy. There are outdoor tables to sit outside as well. The Brengman Brothers wine selection is one of my top three bets in the county.

Never heard of this place (We are from out of town and get to TC only once or twice a year). We were interested in going to this one because not only was it new to us, but it was not part the passion event going on this weekend so we were trying to avoid the crowds. This place was perfect and my new favorite winery! The wines were great and very reasonably priced. Our server was very friendly we were greeted at the door! Cool atmosphere too :). Highly recommend - even though I'm almost afraid to as I would hate to see it get as crazy busy as the other ones where you can't even get a sample...

DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE!!! I was part of a party with 11 people, 2 of them sober drivers. Upon entering we were confronted by an older man and questioned about our rides, sober driver, and felt very unwelcomed. Another large group of about 9 came in after us and we're welcomed warmly and served by this man in a completely different manner. I would suggest passing this place by unless you prefer snobby and judgemental service. Many other more fun wineries in the area.

Slightly underwhelmed. I paid $35 for 7 people to have a private tour & tasting. We showed up and the place is beautiful. Set on a small hill surrounded by the vines. The building is spacious and looks relatively new. I met on if the brothers upon walking in though his name escapes me right now. I explained that I prepaid for the tour/tasting for 7 people. Boy what a let down. We did have about 5 pours and a small spread that had salmon, 2 cheeses, & a few crackers. No tour. None, nothing, and we barely learned about the wines. He was kind and interested in my group. Asking our names, where we are from, and what our professions were. He told us about a few places down state that carry their wine but that's it. We had to keep asking which wines we were drinking and anything about them. I can't believe we paid $35 for that. It had to of been cheaper to just walk in and pay for 5 pours. One of us doesn't even drink, he was just along for the ride and when I called earlier that week to prepay I was told since it was a tour & there would be food that he would still have to pay but we could give his pours to others in the group. It would've saved him $35 if we had just walked in without reservations or prepaying. Definitely a let down. We visited 6 others places that weekend and this landed dead last in overall experience for us. The wines were good, so it's a shame that we kind of felt bamboozled. And that's all I have to say about that. Jackée

This is my favorite winery in town. Their sweet wines are naturally sweet, not sweetened with a ton of refined sugar. The owners and staff are kind and welcoming. Very knowledgeable about their products and a beautiful venue. I have been on a grounds and behind the scenes tour and was very impressed. Very high quality product. The organic process they use is second to none. You can drink a whole bottle of this (maybe even more) and not suffer the awful hangover the next day because their wines are so clean. I became a fan club member and get to enjoy several additional events each year for wine releases. Definitely stop in and give this place a try!

This is my favorite winery. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The wine is very European in its taste. If you are interested in a n extremely sweet wine you won't find it here but if you desire fine wine you will. The ladies cation is beautiful and worthy of sitting outside and enjoying the atmosphere with a Fine glass of wine. Take your time and enjoy.

My mother had reccomended this winery so I was excited to try it. But They would not allow us to come in or taste because it was 5:01 and they said they closed at 5 pm. They hours on every website I can find say 11-7. Either update your hours or do not rudely refuse people as soon as they turn their car into your lot.

We took a day trip out to Traverse City to celebrate my husbands birthday. We had dinner reservations at Stella at seven and since most of the wineries close at 5 or 6, I did a search for wine bars in the area and Brengman Brothers popped up. We are very glad we stopped by. I haven't been to many wineries in Traverse City and being from California, I'm a huge snob. The drive to Brengman Brothers kind of reminds me of Napa and once you get there, there winery/tasting room is beautiful. There is seating available outside and other patrons were sharing a bottle of wine and it looked wonderful. You can do four pours for $5 or 6 pours for $6? You can also buy bottles/glasses instead of a tasting. They also have coffee for the designated driver? They have an extensive selection and it was so nice to pick and choose from so much! The girls that helped us were very cute and knowledgeable. The tasting room has been open for a little over a year. The girls informed us that they are going to have small plates soon. The winery still feels like a secret. Go before it gets super popular. I can't wait to visit again! Favorite winery in Traverse City.

My wife and I had a wonderful tasting experience. Their wines are like wines from Alsace, and my guess is that those who are leaving bad reviews simply don't understand wine like that. Every interaction I've had with anyone working at the winery (four people so far) has been utterly friendly and gracious--beyond all expectations. This is one of the best wineries in Michigan, an utter gem that needs to be treasured. My wife and I joined their wine club.

This would be a nice place to have a wedding or get-together as the structure and grounds are picturesque, however I thought the tastings were a little on the pricier side when compared to other local wineries. Also, the wines I tried were underwhelming.

Over priced, pretty sure they don't grow their grapes or even make their wine! Cost to taste is too high, will never go back.

This new vineyard is absolutely stellar. Extremely knowledgeable staff in the tasting room, superb wine, and a beautiful setting. I have visited many vineyards on the Leelanau Peninsula and thought we'd give this new one a try. So very pleased we did. All six wines we tried were absolutely delicious! Try the 65 Blend and Rosso Red.

Loved this open and airy tasting room. Outside were adirondack chairs and bunches of eucalyptus hanging from the rafters, scenting the air. Loved it! I could have sat outside for the whole afternoon. Their new Block 65 blend was really nice and my favorite white wine of the beautiful day we spent touring around with our friend.

We just had our wedding here on August 12th and it was literally a dream come true. It was honestly breathtaking, everything about it. The grounds were gorgeous, the wine was wonderful, and the staff was great to work with! Lauren (event coordinator) helped me carry out my vision to a tee and helped make sure everything ran smoothly. The bar staff was fabulous the entire night. It was literally just perfect. We can't stop talking about our perfect day.

We stopped here on our wine tour for my bachelorette party and the older man who greeted/served us was extremely rude and harassed our two designated drivers. Their below below par wine was hardly worth the stop. My advise would be to pass this place by and save your time for the many other fun wineries in the area.

Expensive mediocre wine for the area. Nice staff very helpful. High tasting prices. Staff "educates " customers that owner searched around for best soil in the area to grow his crops. Which seems very strange considering the bulk of the vines are downhill from the road and a shipping receiving company taking in any road runoff into the crops... Makes you wonder how much location thought really went into it.

I echo the previous complaints. If you close early often for special events, why not just change your hours so people know to show up earlier? We could have easily changed our route to get here before the special event. We came by especially to buy things for family, and arrived just before they put out the event sign. The apology we got was perfunctory at best. Total bummer.

It's too bad this place is so snobby (like a few places up here tend to be). My father is new to wine, but the man didn't seem to want to familiarize him or make any suggestions. Luckily, I'm a bartender and love wine! Haha I helped him choose which ones to taste. It's pretty in there but we will NOT be visiting ever again. I highly recommend black star or even one of the three places in chateau de leelanau

family owned and they make you feel like one of their own, such a great place! felt like family as soon as we walked in, robert knows so much about wine and would love to share his knowledge and passion about wine and grapes and the source of the wine itself. Would love to get married here one day, can't wait to come visit again!