Our Story

 

Crafting quality, affordable wines for everyone.

1974

The Beginning

The Jacobson family founded Leelanau Cellars in 1974 in one of its Leelanau County cherry orchards, believing Northern Michigan would be a great place to grow wine grapes and produce wine. At the time, nobody knew if that faith would be fulfilled.

 

front view of tasting room before renovation
tasting room before renovation

50 years later, the winery is still family owned and operated, the region boasts over 30 wineries, and that belief has been confirmed.

+40 years later, the winery is still family owned and operated, the region boasts over 30 wineries, and that belief has been confirmed.

tasting room before renovation

Over the years, the tasting room has grown into a popular attraction, now greeting over 40,000 visitors annually on the sandy beaches of Grand Traverse Bay.

front view of the tasting room
front view of Leelanau Cellars tasting room

Distributing 300,000 cases annually, the Leelanau Cellars brand is easily recognizable in retail stores and restaurants throughout the state of Michigan and surrounding Great Lakes region.

Distributing 200,000 cases annually, the Leelanau Cellars brand is easily recognizable in retail stores and restaurants throughout the state of Michigan and surrounding Great Lakes region.

front view of Leelanau Cellars tasting room

LEELANAU CELLARS IN 2020

Satisfied bus tours

Homeless corks

Wine bottles successfully sabered