Michigan Wineries Shine in USA TODAY’s 10Best Awards
Two Michigan winery hotels and a restaurant have earned national recognition in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, highlighting the state’s growing reputation as a wine destination.
Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay took the top spot for Best Wine Country Hotel and also secured fourth place in the Best Winery Restaurant category. Chateau Chantal in Traverse City followed closely, ranking second among wine country hotels.
“What’s better than a quick day trip into wine country for a tasting or two? A full-fledged wine country getaway!” USA TODAY wrote in its announcement. The 10Best list, curated by a panel of experts and voted on by readers, celebrates the best wine country hotels across the U.S.
Michigan: A Rising Star in American Wine
With more than 140 wineries and five designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), Michigan is the seventh-largest wine grape producer in the country. The state’s AVAs—Fennville, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula, and the Michigan Mitten—offer unique climates and landscapes ideal for grape growing.
The scenic wine regions near the Great Lakes provide a picturesque setting for wine lovers to explore and unwind.
Top 10 Wine Country Hotels in the U.S.
Michigan claimed two of the top three spots in the 10Best list:
1. Inn at Black Star Farms – Suttons Bay, Michigan
2. Chateau Chantal – Traverse City, Michigan
3. Allegretto Vineyard Resort – Paso Robles, California
4. Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa – Lodi, California
5. Bolero Casitas at Europa Village – Temecula, California
6. The Inn at Abeja – Walla Walla, Washington
7. Winchester Inn – Ashland, Oregon
8. The Ruse – Healdsburg, California
9. The Allison Inn & Spa – Newberg, Oregon
10. Inn the Ground – Carlton, Oregon
Inside Michigan’s Award-Winning Wine Hotels
Inn at Black Star Farms
Located on a 160-acre estate in Suttons Bay, Black Star Farms offers an equestrian-themed bed and breakfast for guests 18 and older. The inn features 10 rooms priced between $400 and $600 per night and includes perks like a personalized bottle of wine, daily breakfast, evening wine and small plates, and a complimentary tasting.
Guests can also book seasonal packages, such as a private sailing experience on West Grand Traverse Bay, complete with charcuterie, sparkling wine, and a beach blanket.
Black Star Farms has consistently ranked among the top wine hotels, placing third in 2024, fourth in 2023, and second in 2022.
Chateau Chantal
Situated on the Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Chantal is a charming bed and breakfast just 12 miles north of Traverse City. Guests can enjoy vineyard and bay views, chef-prepared breakfasts, and a variety of rooms with terraces or balconies.
Room rates range from $300 to $500 per night, with discounts available for club members, military personnel, and first responders during select months. Chateau Chantal previously ranked No. 1 in 2022 and 2023.
Top 10 Winery Restaurants in the U.S.
Michigan also made its mark in the Best Winery Restaurant category:
1. Roblar Winery and Vineyards – Santa Ynez, California
2. Farm & Forage at Sokol Blosser Winery – Dayton, Ohio
3. The Restaurant at JUSTIN – Paso Robles, California
4. Black Star Farms – Suttons Bay, Michigan
5. The Tasting Barn at Ryan William Vineyard – Burdett, New York
6. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars – Spokane, Washington
7. Bolero Restaurante – Temecula, California
8. Farm Cafe – Lodi, California
9. Pronghorn Pizza – Sonoita, Arizona
10. The Kitchen at Abeja – Walla Walla, Washington
Bistro Polaris at Black Star Farms
Bistro Polaris, located at Black Star Farms, offers a farm-to-table dining experience along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Led by Estate Chef John Korycki, the menu draws inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine and features locally sourced ingredients.
The restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and hosts Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Fridays, guests can enjoy themed, ticketed dinners inspired by global cuisines.
Black Star Farms’ restaurant ranked sixth in 2024 and tenth in 2023.
Michigan’s continued presence in the 10Best awards underscores its growing appeal as a wine and culinary destination. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a gourmet food and wine experience, Michigan’s wineries offer something for every palate.
— Cassidey Kavathas, The Holland Sentinel
Contact: ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com
Follow on X (formerly Twitter): @cassideykava
Source: freep.com