About Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery
Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery is a family business that began in 2004 in Manistique in the Upper Peninsula and had a winery and brewery running in Petoskey by 2014. Owner Ralph Stabile traces his interest to pressing grapes at age five with his grandfather, a Sicilian immigrant who made wine for family gatherings; Ralph and Laurie run it today and their son Dustin heads production.
The Petoskey property covers 30 acres on rolling hills in the Tip of the Mitt wine region, with 15 acres planted in cold-hardy grapes such as Marquette, La Crescent and Frontenac Gris. All of the grapes are estate grown, and both the wine and the beer are made right where you taste them. Tastings of any wine, beer or hard cider are offered every day; the wine list covers dry whites and reds, sweet wines and ice wine, and the brewery pours pilsner, lager, IPAs, stouts and seasonals.
The kitchen sends out small plates such as focaccia, hummus, cheese plates, a chicken salad croissant and smoked whitefish pâté, with house-smoked specials on weekends. Pets are allowed on the outdoor patio but not inside. There are no reservations; parties of eight or more and tour buses should call ahead. A separate building hosts weddings and private parties, and a second tasting room in Mackinaw City opens from May through October.
Lavender Hill Farm near Boyne City is about 25 minutes southwest. Visit the lavender in the morning while it's open daily in season, then head up US-131 for lunch and a tasting.
What to do
- Taste estate wines from Marquette, La Crescent and Frontenac Gris grapes
- Sample house beer, from pilsner to stout
- Try the ice wine or a hard cider
- Order smoked whitefish pâté or a weekend house-smoked special
- Sit on the patio with your dog
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Petoskey tasting room open year-round, seven days; Mackinaw City room closed November–April
- Hours
- Petoskey: Mon–Sat 11 AM–7 PM, Sun noon–6 PM (posted on their website, October 2026)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Allowed on the outdoor patio only
- Reservations
- Walk-in; groups of 8+ and tour buses call ahead
Tips for your visit
- Parties of eight or more should call 231-487-1910 before arriving
- Weekends bring house-smoked specials from the kitchen
- Dogs are welcome on the patio but not inside
- Bring a designated driver if you're tasting both wine and beer
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Hill Farm · about 25 minutes away
Lavender Hill Farm near Boyne City is about 25 minutes away and open daily in season, so a morning in its fields pairs with lunch and a tasting here.
Getting there
Questions
Do they grow their own grapes?
Yes. All grapes are estate grown on 15 acres of cold-hardy vines, including Marquette, La Crescent and Frontenac Gris.
Are dogs allowed?
On the outdoor patio only, not inside the tasting room.
Do I need a reservation?
No. Seating is first come, first served, but parties of eight or more should call ahead.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Boyne City & Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
