Left Foot Charley

It's always a pleasure to visit Left Foot Charley. Brandon and the crew are great hosts and they are knowledgeable about their unique selection of wines and ciders. Know what you like? They'll have it. Not sure what you'd like? They'll help you pick it. If you visit in the winter, try a mug of warm Cinnamon Girl. We visit monthly from suburban Detroit - if I lived closer, I'd be there every day!

We had a fantastic time at this spot – the service, food, and drinks were all top-notch! We really enjoyed our cider and wine flight during our visit to the old state hospital. For food, we tried some delicious small plates, including the Whitefish Pate and the Charcuterie Board. It was hard to pick a favorite cider, but Cinnamon Girl and Tepache were both incredible and truly tasted like autumn. We even left with a growler of each!

I dropped by Left Foot Charley to give it and try and was happy with my experience. The tasting I had included both wines and ciders, and the quality was high. Nothing had any off flavors, and the wines seemed decently complex. The staff was friendly, and the place seemed comfortable and stylish. I’ll have to keep an eye out for their wines going forward.

This was a fun and unique winery to visit! We learned quite a bit about the wines served there - all of the grapes come from independent growers in the area, and then staff at the winery make the wine in-house. There was a nice mix of both wine and ciders, and you could get both in your flight. Staff were sp friendly and knowledgeable, and it made the experience that much better!

First time in Traverse City and had a ton of recommendations to try Left Foot Charley. It DID NOT disappoint. Very chill atmosphere and fantastic service. Max was our server and 10/10 would go back just for exuberance he had about the wine. If you love wine, like wine or have “ehh” feeling about wine, you should try this place.

Beautiful patio with dogs! The cider was good , we shared a bottle.

Fabulous little spot. If you’re in Traverse City for the weekend, definitely check this place out! Great selection of wines and ciders, staff is very nice. Perfect for a summer weekend activity!

Small winery - they have tasting flights and small charcuterie boards. I love fruit wines and these wines are a bit on the dry side, but they were really delicious. The tasting room was not open when we visited (totally bummed), but we still purchased a flight and some bottles. I highly recommend making this a stop on your adventures. Across the street is The Village, an asylum turned shopping area that also gives tours of the old hospital buildings.

My first stop upon arriving to Traverse City. Nice and cozy feeling inside. I was greeted by Brandon and Sarah and sat at the bar looking to order a flight. Both were very helpful with choosing what I should try and rec comes ing places to eat in the area. I went with two reds that had great bodies and the 2 ciders were perfect. I ended up taking back two bottles of cinnamon girl with. Highly recommend stopping in to try!

Such a cool spot! The apps were really great and the wine and cider selection is amazing! Cinnamon Girl is my favorite! You can sit inside or outside. History of the buildings is very cool to learn about as well. Staff is very nice and knowledgeable of all the wine as well as the area.

I booked a tasting for my family and I ahead of time because I knew it would be in the area and it would be a good way to taste some local cider and wine. This place and the entire surrounding area was once part of a functioning mental institution Hospital, I believe and converted into like a little community with shops and restaurants and things to do. It's actually quite a cool area and I would highly recommend checking it out. The cider winery place itself was super cute and they had a variety of ciders that you could try. Some of the ciders you could not try unless you were in the wine club, which was easy to join and free and you can adjust your shipping of what you wanted it. Our favorite cider was the cinnamon girl and the Winsap. It would come back because we like the surrounding area as well and there's a lot to do.

If you love Michigan hard cider and wine, then LFC should be a stop on your list! Love the original tasting room with it's tile floor, huge windows and views of the brewery. The outdoor patio in the warmer months is fantastic, as is the Barrel Room around the corner (open a few days a week). We always fill our growlers, plus pick up our wine club order. Sarah & Max are fantastic, easy going and make the whole visit start to finish so nice. It's a not a successful visit home unless we've stopped here at least once. The wines are nice, smooth and not overly sweet. Our favorites are Murmur and Cremant. But the star (to us) is Cinnamon Girl hard cider. It's a treat all year long, not just in the fall. The ciders here really shine, especially when they create cocktails with it (hello Sunset). Small plates are also offered, as well as truffles.

We like this place! perfect for a cracker and goat cheese dip while tasting. Wines are good and not ridiculously priced. We come here every year and leave with at least a half a case of wine. Good place to hang out outside.

We each ordered a glass of white wine. Mine was the Kerner (2023) it was dry and smooth no notes of minerality and nothing on the nose. It is a solid "best in class" Gold Ribbon winner. The other white was a Silver winner (2022), a pinot blanc - very different and more acidic tasting. I liked them both but honestly I'm a kerner gal. we also shared a. cinnamon Girl cider - delicious and recommended!!Service is adequate, not particularly friendly or informative but not inattentive or rude either. The ambience of the tasting room is 90s log cabin like and expansive with plentiful 6 top tables and easy seating at the bar. In summer outdoor seating is plentiful with Adirondack chairs, and several (6-8) 4 top tables nestled under the large shade trees harvest. We enjoyed the 80-90s soft(er) rock playing at an appropriate volume in the background (as it should be!). Left Foot Charley primarily focuses on dry wines so if you tend to like the sweeter end of the continuum maybe try their delicious Cinnamon Girl Cider (apple pie notes). Oh I suppose it should be noted that they also have sparkling wines, Rieslings, red and rosé wines in addition to the hard ciders. There are a variety of snacks, both salty and sweet, that you can nibble on while enjoying these lovely wines. You can join their club and get quarterly discounts on bottles (3,6, or 12) and opportunities for club only bottles and events. There is NO cost to join the club.

Wine was good. That said, service was horrendous. The waitress couldn't have been less interested in service. We ordered truffles and olives and it seemed like we were making an egregious request. We wanted to buy five bottles of wine, but by the time we'd been waiting on someone to come by and ask how we were doing, we'd decided to spend more and buy it at the grocery store.

Ciders and wine only. The staff was drinking behind the bar while working. A couple next to me waited 5 minutes for the bartender to arrive while I was the only other person at the bar. The staff would just disappear. Overpriced. The quality of service and ciders has deteriorated over the years. They have an outdoor patio for large groups. Parking is not close, lots of walking. Many better options in TC, also up Suttons Bay and Old Mission peninsula.

We've been here many times over the years and the staff have always been great. More importantly, their whites are good and their ciders are great, so, if you want Michigan wines and ciders, this is a solid choice.

We had a fun winter weekend in Traverse City back in January. It was our first time staying in TC so we weren't really sure where to go or what to do. My husband looked online and found Left Foot Charley, so we decided to try it out. They had a bunch of whites and ciders when we were there, not as many reds. I think that's why my husband picked it. It's a small space, but we there were some empty tables, and we got seats up at the bar, which we prefer anyway. It was really fun chatting with the server/bartender! I tasted a white and was going to get a full glass, but the bartender recommended I try their Cinnamon Girl cider and there was no way I could get anything else! Totally not something I would normally order, but it was absolutely incredible. The bartender also had me try some of it hot, which was also delicious, and kind of perfect for the January day we were there. I fully enjoyed my glass of cider, and we ended up buying some to take home as well. It's really no wonder they are known for the Cinnamon Girl cider; I highly recommend you try it, even if it's not something you would normally try. We'll definitely be back!! (We also found out that the bartender and some of the other staff curl in the Traverse City Curling Club. We chatted about curling for awhile, which was great! I really hope to play them in a bonspiel sometime!)

Great little winery off the beaten path. Actually found this place by accident looking for the Farmers market, glad we did though. Wines and cider are a little on the dryer side but very tasty. The cinnamon girl cider was delicious, we actually bought a few to take with us. The staff were all so friendly and it has a very welcoming vibe.

Aesthetic: Very cute, the Barrel room is a historic landmark that has barrels of aging wine and rock walls. Old times light bulbs and wooden tables. Wine: great, there was not one wine I didn't enjoy, even as a non red drinker I was very impressed by the flavor profile. They offered us 4 wines to try and even brought out an alternative for people who don't enjoy red wine. They even had a cider (best one I have EVER had)! Service: AMAZING!!! Connie was absolutely great, you can tell she is very passionate about what she does and gave us so much knowledge about how they pair with local growers to produce their wine. She was very upbeat, happy and helpful! She answered all of our questions very gracefully! Overall I would highly recommend this place to any local or tourist coming to traverse city!

Friendly sommeliers!! Brought home a $hitload of wine and ciders. You won't be disappointed!

Lovely Cinnamon Girl Cider. Also had award winning Winesap cider. it was great that the pierogi food trucks were there and they also had some offerings at the restaurant. pleasant outside patio with shade. Service was a little slow and the waitstaff a bit in attentive but we were busy working on a computer they might have assumed that we didn't want to be bothered. good selection of beer, too. clean.

I went in for a tasting and I enjoyed most of what I tried. Very friendly bartenders. Although they don't have the great view like some of the other wineries, they are still in a cool old building with some great shops within walking distance.

Amazing ciders, great ambiance and service! Jessica was knowledgeable and patient with our questions and explaining how the ciders were made. We are from out of town and this business was suggested to us from previous visitors. We can see why! It was definitely a business we will revisit again!

Had a blast hanging out and tasting ciders in their heated tent. Cute place with a nice selection of drinks. Loved the cinnamon cider! It felt especially cozy in the cold weather! I would skip the wine and go for ciders only as they definitely stood out from a flavor standpoint. Great service and cool location on the grounds near the old Asylum!

After eating way too much at Spanglish, we walked next door to Left Foot Charley. The bar was pretty packed, but friendly folks made room for us. The tables are if you ordered a glass/drinks only & the bar is for tastings and what not. For 6 tasting, it's $5 which is a fantastic deal! The tasting menu list is set up from driest on top to sweetest on bottom. I'm still getting used to the midwest wine palette - take that how you will, but I do love me some apple pie wine but not all the time ;) However, I really enjoyed LFC's dry whites. The chardonnay was fantastic as was the riesling. I wanted to love the drier red options but it wasn't quite as full bodied as I like. We also sampled some of the ciders & went home with a bottle of their chardonnay as well as their Engle's Ransom cider. Delish! LFC had a really unique Otterson apple cider which was like a rose cider. The Otterson apple is straight out of MSU (part of their Great Lakes Cider Apple Collection)! It's a wonderfully unique apple with red flesh/red juice! So Michigan, I love it! 280/365

Fun place. Tent had heat. We hung out here for a while and enjoyed their flights. They let us bring our lunch in the tent which was accommodating. I heard the taco place next door is good and would try that next. We got reprimanded for being too loud which we probably were but overall I recommend trying this place. They had a yummy spiced cider which is great this time of year. The ambiance was surprisingly good for the location.

First time in the area and this placed popped up as somewhere to visit. Very cool building and area to explore. The cider and wine was top notch. Cinnamon Girl is a must try.

That peach Bellini thing. Yum. Those chocolate truffles, ditto. The variety of snack choices, magnifique. Friendly service. It's fun to be able to observe a bit of the process of the wines and ciders through the tasting room windows. My friend who I visited with said it best, "that was fun, let's go back/do it again"

Nice relaxing location once you find it. Service was terrific. Wines were ok. Just not really my style. Ordered a couple cheese plates. Didn't know until they were delivered it was goat cheese. Some of my group wouldn't eat it. Should specify on menu it's goat cheese. I did like that.

Some really excellent wines! We came looking for a red wine with a low tannin (aging process) and left with a prized bottle after getting several samples. We are not big wine drinkers and have not even opened it yet but we are looking forward to sharing this with friends when the right time comes. They also have a bunch of ciders and they were very kind in allowing us to sample what we wanted to sample. If we are in the area again I expect we will visit again and leave with a few more bottles for those special occasions.

Easy to miss since it's not located among the other TC wineries located on either peninsula. Located downtown you are able to get the traditional wine tasting experience but in a city environment that somehow works so well together. They have a great variety of reds & whites as well as some delicious ciders. Always end up taking a bottle/growler (usually 2) home. The staff is always friendly & do a great job explaining whatever you are tasting. Since they seem to have longer hours than some of the other wineries my friends & I usually stop in there last since they are conveniently downtown close to the many amazing restaurants located there for dinner. Definitely don't forget to stop into Left Foot Charlie on your next TC wine trip.

This was a spur of the moment stop for us and I'm so glad we did! We came in for a wine tasting only. They were super busy and of course there were some morons who were pretty sure they were the only ones there so we moved to the end of the bar. $5 a person for 6 choices of wine and ciders. I love the Cinnamon Girl and kinda wanted to take some home and a t shirt but we're on a 'budget' so I passed. We had our kids with us and they sat at a table while we tasted so that worked out well. The downside for me was the layout. It's a narrow spot and there aren't a lot of tables. We were at the end of the bar by the door and cash register, not a spot I recommend. I felt like people were hovering around us, not a feeling I want while I'm trying to taste and talk with my husband.

We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy Left Foot Charley during a respite from rain during our trip to TC. Ordered 2 flights - one wines and the other ciders - and our server was spot-on with recommendations. And we were able to get in on the Wednesday fresh spring roll experience, which was a great addition to a relaxing time!

We love this place! We've been here 3 different times , and every time we've had a great experience. We had Moe as our server twice, she is attentive and knowledgeable and a joy to talk to. We will definitely be back!!

Left foot charley is known for their cinnamon cider and I must say it's delicious! I went here with a group of friends and we each tried something different. I was feeling wine so i ordered a wine cocktail that was as beautiful as a sunrise! Sweet in taste yet slightly dry, perfect mix!! We did order apps there. I would say they really aren't worth the expensive price because the sizing is set for 1. They do not have a full menu, only palate cleansers :) Atmosphere is a bit noisy and the servers do not come to you, you go the the bar. But the service, employees are extremely knowledgable and willing to provide their recommendations based on what you told them. They also can answer any questions you may have from basics of the wines and ciders all the way to some history behind the makings.

Nothing bad to say about my experience at LFC! We came as a family for a tasting (don't worry, my 5 year old got a juice box!) during our vacation to Traverse City and I definitely recommend coming here! First, we went on a little hike through the forest right behind Left Foot Charley, had lunch at Spanglish right next door, and then had a wine and cider tasting here! I was hesitant to bring our son, but they were very accommodating. Even gave him some crayons and a page to color while we drank and tasted delicious wines and ciders! Once you are done tasting, you can order a glass of your favorite and sit out on the patio. There's even sand boxes out there for kids! But don't be discouraged if you are looking for a romantic getaway or a relaxing evening out with the girls. The staff at LFC really know their stuff ;) In the end I bought a bottle of their only red because Michigan is known for their whites. It's called Blaufrankisch and is delish!

Cool location. Great drinks. We went during happy hour on a Monday. I got white wine and my husband got the Cinnamon Girl hard cider. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. It was small but clean and not at all crowded. If you're in n town for wine tours you should stop by and if you just like a good wine stop in.

I love love love LFC! Their Missing Spire Riesling is my absolutely favorite wine ever. The tasting menu is fun! Try as many as you can. The staff have always been very nice and helpful the 5-6 times I have been there. The patio is glorious on warm days. They have little apple juice boxes for kiddos and an outside sandbox area where kiddos can play. Their wines are fabulous! Cheers!!

Stopped in for a tasting. It was middle of the road for me personally. I'm a sweeter palette but I do feel for most ladies I know who are into only the sweet wines I don't think the sweetness would cut it. I didn't love anything but I didn't hate anything. The space is bright and airy but I enjoy the more rustic wineries next to their vineyards better.

We stopped in about 11:30 on a Saturday and there was no one there. Mary was helping us and she was amazing. I let her choose my samples. She gave me her favorites and told me everything that it would pair with for meals. Their wines have a clean crisp taste. If you like dry wines, they have plenty. Mary then suggested we go next door to Spanglish for lunch. We ordered some tacos to go and sat in the Left Foot Charlie patio with a glass of wine in the sunshine. It was perfect. They have a nice large patio for you to enjoy their wines and the food from next door. The bottles of wine were fairly priced. About $20 per bottle. When we were there the OMP Riesling was 2 for $20. Normally the bottles were $16 each. Couldn't ask for a better deal. It was an amazing experience and mostly because of Mary. Go there, enjoy Mary's fun banter and the great wine.

This is a really great space to have a glass of wine or cider in! I love their focus on hard cider. I tried most of their varieties and really loved their apple strawberry cider. I bought a bottle that I'm semi-refusing to drink because I don't want to face the reality of it being all gone. Space is bright and inviting and the bartenders were friendly enough. I'll definitely visit again in the future.

Cute little wine bar! I went on a trip to Traverse City recently and I got to stop by Left Foot Charley as a friend recommended. It's a pretty small space but they do have an outside seating area which is nice for spring, summer and fall visitors. I sat inside at a table with my friends though. The staff is great! They all work together efficiently and they're very knowledgeable about the wines and food they offer. :) We got a cheese plate to share which was tasty and included some yummy cheeses. We also got a dip, forget the name but that was great as well. The drinks range from basic, to really interesting in the flavor combinations and I enjoyed all of the drinks I tried. Cute place, I'd recommend coming here!

Nice place tucked away and off the beaten path, but so worth it! The staff was knowledgeable and kind. The ciders there are REALLY good and I'm not much of a cider drinker. We loved the outdoor seating and let the kids play in the pocket park across the street; it was the perfect adult/kid experience that we all enjoyed.

Really nice outdoor seating and really rewarding cider and wine tasting. Their cider is delicious and their wine is great, too. I recommend stopping by if you have the time.

The service was amazing. We usually never sit outside but their outdoor dining was different and fun. We sat in some Adirondack chairs, enjoyed some wine and cider, and had some charcuterie. My favorite wine was the 2019 Late Harvest by Seventh Hill Farm.

Stopped in to check out some local cider. I was afraid they'd be too sweet so I decided to go with this mixed drink called the Beekeeper. Sweet but a little tart. Also, they have a nice little munchies list. Sometimes you want something to snack on while you enjoy your beverage. Best of all was the nice patio. It's perfect weather to sit outside and the patio was hopping. They have a little sandbox for kids and there were families and dogs. Great stop for us!

I stumbled about this place completely by accident. After dropping my husband off for a business meeting, I found myself with a free afternoon. After Yelping local antique shops, which brought me to The Village, I wandered around a bit. I was so pleasantly surprised at everything to see and do there. A afternoon snack was in order and spotting the lovely outdoor seating brought me to Left Foot Charley. It was such a lovely way to pass time. I sipped my dry cider while enjoying the white fish pate platter. I loved the sweet jalapeños addition to it! I'm now adding them to any fish pate I serve. The dry cider was so delicious and now a favorite. I loved the friendly and inviting atmosphere of the building both inside and out. The sandbox full of toys for kids is perfect. I watched a mom and dad get to relax while their son was entertained with the sandbox. It was such a hit, many tears were shed when he had to leave. All in all, such a lovely gem tucked into The Village. Group friendly, pet friendly, and family friendly. I can't wait to come back!

I had a really good time here last winter. This was before Covid. They had a great selection of drinks, along with their own brewery/cidery with clear windows showing their team working on their products for all to see. Great hangout spot, and friendly customer service. I wish their growlers were a tad bit cheaper otherwise it's a really cool place to check out!

Cider on tap: check. Bring your gluten-free and gluten-loving friends alike, we can all get along at LFC. A few options for cider if the timing is right, but they always have at least one. Then there's the really good wine to have also. And THEN there's the Monday night open-mic night (how's that for an afterwork date). And THEN they serve these fun dinners on Thursday, which gluten-free, vegetarians, and vegans can all have. (At least when i was there, they catered to all). Great location at the Commons, easy parking, and outside food allowed - hey, why don't you bring over some Spanglish? LFC does offer a few appetizers if you have a compulsive need to eat something while drinking, like moi. Or go on Thursdays when they have the fun pop-up dinner events. Cute setting and good wine. Hint: there's even a sandbox if you absolutely find it necessary to bring your kids to a tasting room.

I popped in here by chance because a bartender told me it was a nice place for a cider or wine. It was a rainy day and couldn't be a more perfect place to stay dry (well in one sense I suppose). I really enjoyed my time spent here. For a six course wine tasting it's only a mere $5. Yes. Fabulous deal. The wines were lovely which shocked me even more. Whites better than reds but still not overly sweet. I didn't try any of the food but it sounded alright plus I like that they kept the menu small and simple. As an out-of-towner I'm not sure what goes on there but it would make a great place for the occasional food truck(s). Loads of space to park & enjoy! I left with a growler of half Relic & half Cinnamon Girl Cider. $18 but a refill is $13. Not sure when I'll be up north again but when I am I will be stopping back in to this little watering hole.

Great afternoon tasting here. In TC for 4 days, did 9 tastings at various cideries and wineries and this was the best. The service at the bar was great, friendly, informative and generous. The variety is optimal. Tried Blauufrankisch and Auxerrois both odd varietals that u can't get elsewhere. Bought the Auxerrios. The ciders were the best we tasted all week. Bought the dry Riesling as well, best example tasted all week. When we visit TC again this will be our first stop. Not to mention the smoked whitefish dip is outstanding. And you can order food from Spanglish and eat it at LFC with ur tasting or pint!!!

Even before my first visit to Traverse City, I had heard of Left Foot Charley courtesy of a friend who brought a growler of Cinnamon Girl hard cider to a weekend reunion. Great friend, great cider. When I finally made it to Left Foot Charley myself - located on the site of the former Northern Michigan Asylum - it was a homecoming of sorts for my liver. The location is beautiful: treed, quiet, large windows, and ample seating both at the bar (inside) and on the shaded patio (outside). A pour of sweet-but-not-too-sweet cider and you have all the elements in place for a happy hour indeed. Yelp note: invest in a growler. It's eco-and-budget-friendly, sure, but it's also just: dang cool. There. Said it.

Great staff. Enjoyed the rose as well as their dry cider on tap. Wonderful play area outside (sandbox with toys!)for kids so that parents can sit and enjoy their wine on the patio. Highly recommend.

Cool urban feel to the tasting room. If you're a fan of whites aged in stainless, you'll like this place. The guy that did our tasting was cool and attentive. Really like the Murmur and The Stumble. The Stumble really reminded me of a Mulvasia Bianca I had at Sterling Vineyards in Napa.

We tried flights of wine and cider at LFC. I enjoyed the option to combine the two in a flight. Everything we tried was drinkable and pleasant. Our favorite drinks included the Dry Riesling, OMP Pinot Blanc, and the Cinnamon Girl. The Cinnamon Girl tastes like the best cinnamon-y apple pie or apple sauce in a glass. We walked away with two growlers of Cinnamon Girl and four bottles of wine - for ourselves and to share with family/friends. I would have enjoyed a cheese plate to go with my wine, but I saw another group bring in food and kicked myself for not thinking of that.

My girlfriend and I sat at the bar last night (11.10), around 8pm, on a slow and quiet snowy night at LFC. The three staff members were knowledgeable, personable and overall a talkative group that shared their understandings of wine with us, until the bar closed about an hour and a half later. My girlfriend has been to LFC many times before, and this was my first time there. I highly recommend for both the knowledgeable wait staff, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, the wine they made and served there was out of this world! Thank you so much for making our first night in Traverse City a memorable one! We'll be back!