Is Shady Lane Cellars near Traverse City?
Yes, Shady Lane Cellars is located just 18 miles north of Traverse City, a quick and scenic 20 minute drive.

Is Shady Lane Cellars part of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Yes. Shady Lane Cellars is part of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and we proudly participate in events and collaborate with our neighboring Leelanau wineries.

Does Shady Lane Cellars require reservations?
Shady Lane Cellars does not require reservations. However, we strongly recommend reservations for groups of 8 or more. The extra notice allows us to ensure your group has the best possible experience.

Can I buy wine by the glass?
Yes. Shady Lane Cellars sells tastings, wine by the glass and wine by the bottle at our Northern Michigan Tasting Room.

Can I bring my own picnic?
Shady Lane Cellars guests are welcome to bring their own food while enjoying the winery.

Does Shady Lane Cellars serve food? 
Yes! Shady Lane Cellars offers small plates available for purchase.

Is Shady Lane Cellars dog-friendly? 
Yes! Shady Lane Cellars welcome guests with dogs on our grass area, as long as they are leashed and friendly.

Is Shady Lane Cellars family-friendly? Can children visit?
Yes! We love having families here. We host events, live music, vineyard tours, outdoor and creative experiences that are open to all ages. Wine is of course restricted to only those 21and older.

Is Shady Lane Cellars wheelchair accessible?
Yes, we can accommodate wheelchair access in all areas.

Do you allow other alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises? 
No. According to Michigan Liquor Control regulations bringing your own alcohol onto any winery property is not permitted.

What wines is Shady Lane Cellars known for?
Shady Lane Cellars is known for award-winning, estate-grown wines including Pinot Gris, Sparkling Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch.

What is a wine tasting like at Shady Lane Cellars?
Shady Lane Cellars offers customizable wine flights featuring three wines of your choice. Our knowledgeable team is happy to help you curate a tasting based on your preferences, which you can enjoy at your table. For those looking to explore our premium selections, an upgraded Reserve Flight is also available.

What is Shady Lane Cellars known for?
Shady Lane Cellars is a boutique, estate winery on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula known for sustainable vineyard practices and wines that authentically express Northern Michigan's cool-climate terroir.
Shady Lane Cellars was recently named the “Best Winery in Michigan” by Mashed. We were also designated as a “winery to know” by Wine Enthusiast magazine and featured among the “Five Best Wine Road Trips in the U.S.” by Food and Wine magazine. Decanter magazine named our Reserve Riesling among the best in its category in 2024. Shady Lane Cellars has been featured on the covers of Michigan Wine Country’s Travel and Touring Guide 2023 and Michigan Uncorked.

When was Shady Lane Cellars founded?
Shady Lane Cellars was founded in 1988 when longtime friends Dr. Joseph O'Donnell and Bill Stouten purchased a historic 100-acre farm in Leelanau County, Michigan. The property, once home to cherry orchards and peach trees, became an estate vineyard after the first 10,000 vines were planted in 1989.
The vineyard was established with guidance from Michigan winemaking pioneer Larry Mawby and Michigan State University viticulturist Stan Howell. Located near Lake Michigan, Shady Lane Cellars benefits from an ideal growing climate that helps produce exceptional estate-grown wines. Today, the winery continues the property's long agricultural legacy with premium cool-climate vineyards and award-winning wines.

How does Shady Lane Cellars approach winemaking?
Our team at Shady Lane Cellars does everything by hand and takes meticulous detail with farming and production practices. We make small lot, small production wines of a distinct quality.

Does Shady Lane Cellars grow its own fruit?
Yes, our grapes are grown on site at Shady Lane Cellars as well as in a nearby vineyard in Leelanau County.

Does Shady Lane Cellars use sustainable vineyard practices?
Shady Lane Cellars is SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified, making it one of only three Michigan wineries to earn this certification. The estate winery uses environmentally responsible farming practices that protect vineyard health, water quality and biodiversity while producing premium estate-grown wines.

What does the term Estate Winery mean?
An estate winery means Shady Lane Cellars grows the grapes, produces the wine and bottles it on the estate. Because every grape is grown in the winery's own vineyards, Shady Lane Cellars produces authentic estate-grown wines that reflect the terroir of Northern Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula.

Is the winery accessible by car or bike?
Yes. We have a parking lot for guests who arrive by car. Shady Lane Cellars is also located conveniently on the TART Trail system, which allows guests who hike, bike – and in the winter season those who cross country ski or snowshoe – to make their way easily to our Tasting Room doors.

Can I come to Shady Lane Cellars to hike the trails and enjoy the outdoors?
Yes, the trails on our property are open for leisurely walks, hiking, biking and – when groomed in the winter – even cross country skiing.

Where can I buy Shady Lane Cellars wines?
More than 20 Shady Lane Cellars estate-grown wines are currently available at our Suttons Bay-based Michigan winery. They can also be found across Midwest through our distributors or purchased directly online for delivery.

Do you ship wine? 
Shady Lane Cellars ships wines to 30 states.

Can I ship wine from Shady Lane Cellars to my state?
Check here to find out where we can ship our wine.

Does Shady Lane Cellars have a wine club?
Shady Lane Cellars offers a three tiered wine club membership with costs ranging from $75 to $325 per shipment. Shipments are scheduled for February, June, September and November.

What perks do wine club members get?
Shady Lane Cellars Wine Club members receive a complimentary flight or glass as well as discounts off all wine purchases depending on the club level chosen. They are invited to quarterly pick-up parties at the winery. And our members get first access to new wine releases and special events.

Does Shady Lane Cellars host private events?We host a limited number of semi-private events and would be happy to discuss whether Shady Lane Cellars is the right fit for your event. Reach out to us at info@shadylanecellars.com.

Who can I speak to about hosting an event at Shady Lane Cellars?
Reach out to us at info@shadylanecellars.com.

Can I reserve seating at Shady Lane Cellars for live music events?
All patio and seating on our property is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Grab your favorite spot early for Friday Night Live.