Shady Lane Cellars

Beautiful in the summer, but the COZIEST place in winter! A groomed XC ski trail through the vineyard, from the TART parking lot, to the tasting room. Indoor and outdoor fires. Hot mulled wine??! More people should use the ski trails, taking a lap through the vines and ducking in for a cozy cup was just glorious. Some of the best wine anywhere around TC too. Highly, highly recommend.

We decided to take an afternoon trip to wine taste on the Leelanau Peninsula. We went to several wineries. Shady Acres was our favorite! The ambiance was awesome. There are beautiful areas to sit and enjoy your wine, and everyone was so friendly! Fair warning to people that prefer red wine- Michigan is not known for their reds. If you want the best wines Michigan can offer stick with sweet whites like Rieslings. We have amazing ice wine also!

Shady Lane made a nice little stop during my trip through the area. The wine I tried was good, but the Pomeranz Riesling was my favorite; there was a lot going on flavor-wise. The place itself was quite nice, and I enjoyed a spot by the big fireplace downstairs. There was some nice space outside too, so I could see this place being quite popular during nicer weather. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this spot to my friends.

Beautiful winery and lovely wines! This location was a real treat; relaxing ambiance among nature. This stop was among our favorite in the area. Anna was extremely helpful and made us feel right at home. Flew all the way from Tampa, and will definitely be back.

Shady lane is a wonderful winery! Great wines and great vibes! Awesome staff as well! Sally was so helpful and sweet!

This was our favorite stop and of the utmost quality. A fellow Winemaker friend turned us on to the hidden gem up in Sutton’s Bay. All the wines were nuanced and spoke to their terroir. I was most impressed by the reds which have shown great advancement for their entire AVA especially with the current offerings. The hospitality and carefully curated wine tasting room property rivals the greats on the Finger Lakes. I felt as if we had the full Michigan experience by relaxing on their patio by the fire with a glass of estate grown juice. We bought a case but would’ve purchased more if we weren’t flying.

If you’re thinking of kicking back at Shady Lane Cellars this winter over wine and snacks, think twice. Yes, Shady Lane reds are delicious. Yes, they offer a fine charcuterie board. But they sour the experience with miserly half-filled glasses. The winery is entitled to turn a profit. But approximately $90 from a $22 bottle of pinot noir? Shady Lane has plenty of competitors on the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. Try those and see if you have a more enjoyable experience.

I came here for my birthday and had the absolute best experience I’ve ever had at a winery! The property is gorgeous, the wines are all incredibly light and delicious without being too sweet (we tried 7 and they were all incredible), and the vibes were immaculate. However, beyond all of that was the hospitality. Angela was so knowledgeable and even took the time to give us a little mini tour. She was incredibly kind and just made the whole experience top notch. I would come back here in a heartbeat. Just beyond words. Thank you so much!!

From the moment you walk up to Shady Lane Winery, you feel like you've stepped into a little slice of paradise. Between the vineyards, glowing string lights, and cozy fire pits, the atmosphere is unbeatable. Warm, inviting, and the perfect backdrop for a glass (or two). The staff here are fantastic, friendly, welcoming, and eager to share their knowledge not just about Shady Lane's wines, but also other wineries in the area. It really added to the experience and made us feel at home. Overall, this was such a solid stop and one I'd absolutely come back to again. Great wine, great people, and a setting that makes you want to linger.

This was a fun winery. It was our third stop of three wineries today, and our Airbnb host actually was offering a BOGO wine tasting through them - however, they were pretty packed when we arrived, and they were only doing wines by the glass or bottle. I tried a glass of the Pinot Noir rosé because I've never seen that mashup before, it was decent. My future sister-in-law had the dry Riesling or Chardonnay, I believe, and also liked it. It unfortunately started raining but we all moved inside and so did the entertainment - They had a live guitarist and bass player playing which was cool. I really loved the foresty vibe here as well, and would definitely come back another time.

This place was beautiful! We went on a Friday and it was the most gorgeous day out and we enjoyed our wine flight out under some of the grape vines at one of their picnic tables. I think we were greeted by every single person working when we were first walking up. Everyone was so friendly and eager to help us. We each ordered a wine flight and the wine was great! They have so many options and even had a wine slushy so there really is something for everyone. Out of all the places to visit while in Traverse, this was one of my favorite stops on the way. Definitely make time out of your day to enjoy a drink here!

Beautiful location and interesting wine. Great service and happy people. Close to the tart trail

Oh my-- our favorite hidden gem that we stumbled upon. The staff could truly not be any nicer if they tried! They set the bar so high, up in the sky, in terms of customer service. We arrived with our dog, without a single reservation, and they told us to help ourselves to a dome outside. After bringing our food, they asked if our dog wanted her own board, we jokingly said of course, load up the salami for her.... and what did they do? A stack of salami for our furbaby. The charcuterie board was top notch! The wine was top notch! The pretzel bites... BAM, I want more! So frickin good! This will most definitely be a staple on our trips up to Traverse City for the weekends. (And our dog agrees!)

First time here and we will be back. Friendly staff, clean restrooms, super accommodating and building a vibe and atmosphere you want to stay and enjoy the day...

This is one of our favorite wineries. Stemmed glassware for the tasting, the way it should be. Love the open outdoor wine bar. Excellent wines, we always walk out with several selections.

Barb greeted as we entered the patio area, and was energetic and knowledgable. This is an estate winery, they control it all from vine to Glass, and take pride in it. Alissha served us and was the same. It was clear all the employees enjoy working here. The Franc and Franc, both reserve and non-reserve were amazing. We will buy a case. Grounds were very beautiful and pleasant. We joined the wince club. Best winery we have encountered in this region. Thanks!

Beautiful grounds! This place is meant to be enjoyed outside. Immaculate landscaping. I cannot believe I didn't get a picture. Plenty of parking and easy to find on GPS. Make this a stop when visiting the area. Bring a DD. The wine is excellent. They have cocktail options as well. Snacks and drinks are ordered at the bar. Take your number and they will find you. No table service but easy to get service from the bar or visiting inside. Nice shade and plenty of seating.

Absolutely lovely winery. The storybook stone building is hard to imagine as a chicken coop. Now converted into their wine store, it serves as a backdrop to their patio and lawn. This winery is meant to be enjoyed outside, on a beautiful summer day, is worth the drive. During both recent visits the service has great, one on a Saturday and then on a Tuesday. The gentleman that took care of us on Tuesday was very personable. The tasting here is smaller, they do three. Their sparkling is one of my favorites of the area, and enjoyed by our diverse group in wine preferences. Overall: in good weather, very much worth a v

On a chilly Tuesday Shady Lane is welcoming. We enjoyed heated igloos with our dog and flights of yummy wine. Service was sophisticated and warm. We will be back!

Amazing hour tasting and noshing at this charming winery. We were riding north on the TART trail and smelled grapes. Wow. Stopped at the road and saw a tiny little sticker that said trail maintained by Shady Lane Cellars. We did a right and voila. Hit a home run. Beautiful location. Charming service and great wines. One of the wines we had at Stella's Trattoria was from here! Just go!

Great place! We came during a snow event and used the heated igloo. The tasting room staff is very knowledgeable of matching wine to personal tastes. The property is fairy tale like and feels cozy and inviting. Wines are delicious. Do stop and enjoy!!

My wife and I visited Shady Lane for our anniversary and were treated so well. We even had the pleasure to enjoy the wonderful live music outside, provided by The Fridays, due to the Michigan weather choosing to celebrate our special day in March too. In addition to sharing a delicious estate semi-dry Riesling, we also enjoyed a fantastic charcuterie. Shady Lane remains one of our favorite wineries and we look forward to our next visit. A huge "thank you" to Luke, especially, for helping us celebrate our anniversary.

We really enjoy stopping here when we're out in the Traverse area. We always do the flight of three since the price is pretty much the same as a glass. This trip we ordered from the outside bar and found a shady spot on the lawn to relax with our flights and take in our surroundings. I love the area shady lane is nestled in. It's quiet, and calming. While there is no water view, there is a wooded area and plenty of vineyard to look at while you enjoy your wine. They have a nice fireplace that is lovely when it is colder as well. The servers are knowledgeable about their wine, which makes selecting a glass that much easier. A definite must do if in the area!

Not sure why there are some not-so-stellar reviews -- this was by far our favorite winery of our trip. We were in the area celebrating my friends milestone birthday and just general reunion with some best friends and even though it was a rainy weekend, Shady Lane was the coziest and best place for some wine. The service was amazing - WE LOVE YOU BARB! - and the wines were so delicious I bought a few bottles to bring home. The property is gorgeous with open fires on the premises, a fireplace, they have live music, a gorgeous bar outside and really nice indoor area too. If we could have spent the entire day sitting at this winery, we would have.

Lovely vistas ... great staff!! Nice variety of wines....we love the cozy atmosphere! Coming here for over a year... no matter the season ..always a treat!

Cute, quaint, great atmosphere and full of hospitality. This winery is just a short jaunt up the Leelenaw . They offer both an indoor and outdoor bar (and another to come) with plenty of seating. The fire pits are a nice touch and create a nice vibe. The employees and owners are friendly and can give you great tips on where to see the sunset and where to eat. Make sure to check it out! You will be happy you did!

Great wines, service, setting. Very popular stop on the Leelanau wine trail. Don't miss it.

Perfect spot for a nice glass of wine! Cozy and bright. Walk, cross country through the vineyard. A great and unexpected surprise. Tucked away just off M22. Make the turn and check it out!

Beauty place, wine was delicious!!! Took a few bottles home! Definitely going back!!!

Been here a few times, overall has been a good experience. They have a great outdoor area for hanging out and pictures. When I have visited (usually summertime) there's a froze slushy that is very popular. It runs around $12. The glasses were $8. They had some flights available which the group loved!

Very nice property with warm staff. They actually pointed us in direction of other places to visit before we left the area. Live music added to the great atmosphere and set the mood!

Shady Lane offers a variety of wines. I was able to enjoy a beautiful view while tasting several of their options. This is a great place for a casual date.

This outdoor seating was probably the most beautiful out of all the other winery locations in the area ... the wine was just ok. The staff was disappointing and not very welcoming at all. Almost annoyed that they even had visitors So I will sadly not be returning

Beautiful outdoor seating. This worked be wonderful on a cool evening in front of the fireplace . We ordered one flight with the charcuterie board. The board was yummy. Service was friendly. We plan on stopping back by for a couple bottles (couldn't get them in our bike bags!)

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious wine. A little pricier for their bottles than some local wineries, but the ambiance inside and beautiful outdoor space makes it worth it. Would visit again.

Overall beautiful aesthetic and great service. Wine is decent but views and snacks look amazing. I love the outdoor view of the winery and the picnic table homey feeling. Overall it's still a win just might want to stick to a preferred wine option over a tasting.

We Love this place! We found it by accident and now go back every time we are in TC. Everyone there is friendly and helpful when choosing wines. The outdoor seating is perfect with a outdoor tasting bar- how fun! They also have an outdoor fireplace for the chilly days. We just love the quaint feel of the winery their wines are very good, something for everyone. We will be back!

Service was uncomfortably bad. Embarrassed to have spent my hard earned money here. Cashier was abrasive and uninterested. When asked for descriptions of wine we were met with one word answers and snotty tone. will not be returning.

Great, beautiful outdoor space! Wine is good too. I'm giving two stars for the absolutely abysmal service. We were sat at a nice picnic table and after sitting for 20 minutes, we were not approached. I went to the bar to try to order for our party and we were completely ignored. The host did not explain to us how everything worked. We came to do flights and were told since we were seated at a picnic table that wasn't an option. I just think their staff needs to be more educated because the live music is great and the wine is really tasty!

One of my favorite places to visit, the Cab Franc is very nice, as is their Gewurztraminer. Everyone that works there is pleasant and welcoming. They have a beautiful outside bar and tasting area.

Beyond beautiful-felt like I was in California! Service was amazing and most importantly the wine tasty. So glad we randomly found this place!!

I cannot say enough good things about Shady Lane Cellars! A friend and I stopped here while on our annual girls trip to Traverse City. There was an event taking place when we arrived but service was fantastic regardless. We were able to do some wine tastings at the outdoor bar. The staff was super friendly and engaged us in conversation the whole time. We tasted all red wines and thought they had some of the best reds. We actually left with several bottles of wine to take home. They have a cute outdoor seating area with views of the vineyards surrounding the establishment. We ordered meat and cheese platter which we enjoyed outside with our wine. We cannot wait to visit Shady Lane again next year!

WOW WOW WOW!!!!! I can see why this place got excellent reviews. My husband and I were staying in Traverse City and wanted to visit a couple of wineries near the area. I don't remember seeing this in visitors book, but noticed a sign as we were driving. They are located on the Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan. So glad we went here. The landscape is absolutely beautiful. Stoned buildings and a view of the vineyards with a gorgeous patio where you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine. We entered and the woman was extra friendly! I felt very welcomed. Her personality was very bubbly and approachable. We were told that their tasting room is a century old fieldstone chicken coop which they renovated. How cool is that?! You get one complimentary tasting and if I remember correct it was $6.00 or $7.00 for 5 tastings. Of course I had to do the reds. What I tried: -2010 Coop de Rouge -2011 Pinot Noir -2011 Blue Franc -2011 Franc 'n' Franc -2012 Merlot -2012 Cabernet Franc My favorites were the Coop de Rouge, Franc n Franc, and the Cabernet Franc. Very smooth, light bodied, and not very acidic. I ended up purchasing a bottle the 2010 Coop De Rouge for $11.95. What an awesome place! If you are doing the wine trail in the Traverse City area, please visit this winery! The employees are very friendly and knowledgeable.

Spectacular staff and family friendly ! Great wines and great views ! It's a must stop ..

This place is super close to Leelanau Trail and is a very convenient stop for cyclists like me passing by who need a break and a buzz for the final 10 miles back to Traverse City. We had 6 tasting pours for $10, and a couple of them were the best wines we had during our entire TC area stay. The wine pourer from NY was super cool and treated me and my recent bride to some extra sips on-the-house.

Barb made our visit to Shady Lanes Cellars a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable experience. We will certain return again and again in the future. She is a treasure.

The staff seems very rude, and the impression is they wish you never came here. This is our second visit and the experience was the same each time . The staff does nothing to make you feel welcome. Why do they have to be so rude?

This winery was gorgeous. It has a really nice outdoor area where you can sit and relax. We came here for a tasting and I enjoyed all of the wines I tried. I will say the women behind the bar were not really the most friendly. They were a bit cold. This was the first winery we went to for the day so we didn't stick around too long.

Well this was my favorite winery of the day! They have a wood burning outside fireplace, a nice variety of wine, and meat and cheese you can buy to much on. I love the stone building and grounds. There were three younger workers the day I went and they were all friendly and inviting.

Shady Lane gets three stars for their wine and indoor areas, but I had to boost it up to four for their patio!! The wine is good but not the best in the area (and their tastings are pricier). Their indoor area is tiny! They can only eat a few people at a time. However, their patio is absolutely spectacular. It's huge, with a big outdoor bar, multiple fire pits, and a full outdoor fireplace!

Great option for dog friendly tastings! We found a cozy spot by the fire and had a great time!

It was a few weeks ago but my friends & I always enjoy Shady Lane. It was a great first stop on our girls wine wknd. Good selection & variety of wines at reasonable prices. Under the COVID restrictions we were able to enjoy a glass of wine outside around one of there many fire pits. It is a beautiful setting so the experience would great as the weather warms up also. If you want to stay inside they also are doing flights/tasting. Worth a visit.

Beautiful outdoor patio with tons of outdoor seating! I came in a group of 12 and service was very quick, they did a great job! They allowed you to customize your flights too which is nice.

Beautiful views and great flights. The Brio Rose is the only thing I wouldn't recommend.

I grew up on Shady Lane with a pup named Champ, far before there was Shady Lane Cellars, or any wineries in Leelanau County. So, this one is a wee bit special, methinks. (pssst, this makes my "stage" name Champ Shady). I'll drink to that! Shady Lane Cellars is a quaint family-run winery. The tasting room is a restored and renovated chicken coop, and is small but bustling. They also have an outdoor tasting area which is tented, with tables and chairs to sit and sip amongst the farm fields and vineyards. Definitely one of the lower key stops. If they do events (I assume they might) this would be a beautiful setup for an outdoor wedding, celebration, etc. Highlight: Chardonnay. Tasting situation: 1 complimentary taste...then $5 for a wine glass and 5 more! Includes a very decadent dark chocolate and some nibblers to clear your palate, wino. Don't forget to take your glass, they'll typically send you off with a fresh one, wrapped up!

Note, the map showing up for this place is COMPLETELY WRONG. Relook it up on google maps and it should show that it is on Shady Lane just south of the Ciccone vineyards. That place was a treat! We explored L. Mawby, Ciccone, Willow and Chateau de Leelanau before coming here, and minus the Chateau, the former three were a total disappointment. The welcome committee comes and greets you at the door (two adorable well behaved not scary dogs) and you are welcomed in with open arms into the tasting areas. For $5 you get 1 complimentary tasting, 4 tastings of your choice, with your choice of spread and crackers. They will then bring it out to you while you chill at a nice shaded table. Gorgeous, low key, wonderfully relaxing area. The sparking reisling was interesting, but it wasn't an immediate must have purchase. The reisling and gewurztraminer were on the dry side and were not well rounded wines. The vignoles dessert was for the win, we all agreed that we loved that one the best with some nice peachy notes. Cute place, and a must stop on the Leelanau wine trail! So so enjoyable, a great way to end our wine trail trip on this side of the bay. Note: I am not a wine snob, I believe what you like is what you like. I am much more of a beer person, and I normally like my wines on the dryer side... but this is Michigan, so we stuck with the sweeter wines.

A must stop winery on the Leelanau wine trail. They have a really fun out door tasting bar with helpful staff. Some of the best reds I've had in traverse city and a really interesting "orange" wine we tried on our most recent visit. They also have a really neat stone build tasting room that's worth seeing. We stop here every time we bike the tart trails.