About Walloon Lake Winery
Walloon Lake Winery is on the Dennis family farm on Intertown Road outside Petoskey, near Walloon Lake, and the fourth generation now helps run it. Tim Dennis, a retired middle school counselor and contractor, pictured the farm winery; Marta Dennis keeps the greenhouse, gardens and vineyard; Britta Dennis handles the business; and winemaker Matt Killman has spent his career with cold-hardy grapes.
The vineyard is in the Tip of the Mitt wine region, and the family considers it one of the best sites in the area thanks to glacial soils and the nearness of Walloon Lake and Lake Michigan. They farm regeneratively with organic soil amendments and use no herbicides or insecticides. Grapes come from their own vines and a few small growers nearby, and every wine is made and bottled on the property, aiming for balanced acidity and fresh fruit flavors.
The tasting room is open seven days a week. Tastings can be booked online, including group tastings and sessions with the winemaker. Groups larger than ten need a reservation, and on Saturdays large groups are taken only from 11 AM to 3 PM; big groups may be served wine by the glass instead of flights. The pavilion and tasting room can be booked for private events, and wine ships to 40 states.
Lavender Hill Farm near Boyne City is about 20 minutes west. In summer, spend the morning among its lavender and stop here in the afternoon.
What to do
- Taste wines from cold-hardy grapes grown near Walloon Lake
- Book a tasting with the winemaker
- Reserve a group tasting for parties over ten
- Ask about private events in the pavilion
- Order wine shipped home to one of 40 states
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Tasting room open seven days a week
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 11 AM–6 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–7 PM, Sun noon–5 PM (posted on their website, October 2026)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Tastings bookable online; required for groups over 10 (Saturdays 11 AM–3 PM only)
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead online if you want a winemaker tasting
- Groups over ten need a reservation, and Saturday group slots run only 11 AM to 3 PM
- Plan a designated driver for the lake roads
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Hill Farm · about 20 minutes away
Lavender Hill Farm near Boyne City is about 20 minutes west and open daily in season, a natural morning stop before an afternoon tasting here.
Getting there
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Walloon Lake Winery?
Tastings can be booked online. Groups larger than ten need a reservation, and on Saturdays they're accepted only from 11 AM to 3 PM.
How are the grapes grown?
Regeneratively, with organic soil amendments and no herbicides or insecticides, in the Tip of the Mitt wine region.
Who makes the wine?
Winemaker Matt Killman, who has worked with cold-hardy grapes throughout his career; all wine is made and bottled on the property.
🗺️ 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
