Verterra means 'true to the land' and our estate grown fruit is used to produce elegant red, white, rose and sparkling wines that embody the essence of the Leelanau Peninsula. We are a family owned business creating exceptional wines from estate grown fruit on the spectacular Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan.
Our journey began in 2005 with a dream that became reality in 2006 when we planted our first acre of grapes in our vineyard affectionaly known as 'Frost Pocket.' From that point forward, we were hooked and today we have 40+ acres of estate grapes used to make over 20 different wines. In 2017, 2018 and again in 2019 we had the honor of winning the Best Dry White wine in the State of Michigan.
Our journey began in 2005 with a dream that became reality in 2006 when we planted our first acre of grapes in our vineyard affectionaly known as 'Frost Pocket.' From that point forward, we were hooked and today we have 40+ acres of estate grapes used to make over 20 different wines. In 2017, 2018 and again in 2019 we had the honor of winning the Best Dry White wine in the State of Michigan.
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Our interest in wine came quite naturally, just like it does for most people, a cool, bright Riesling on a warm afternoon, a mammoth California Zinfandel with a pile of BBQ Ribs, and pretty much everything in-between. Individually, we have always loved great wine for its wonderful flavors, its enhancement of a fine meal, and its ability to provide a common interest with friends and family.
We are proud to offer our friends and guests award winning, estate grown wines and hard ciders. We control every detail from the vines planted in the field to the type of yeast used in the winery. These wines represent our family and embody the essence of the Leelanau Peninsula. Our Chardonnay is one of our most popular white wines garnering dozens of awards over the last 10 years.
Our white wines are estate grown and bottled in a fruit forward style where we go from vine to bottle in as little as 5 months. This approach expresses the pure varietal characters of the fruit and balances with great acidity that can only come from cool climate wines. We plant only the best vines and clones of the great grapes from Europe and in our cool climate they produce bright fruity wines with exceptional lip smacking crisp clean finishes.
It was inevitable that we would make sparkling wines because we love to drink them! We offer sparkling wines made in both the traditional method as well as the cuvee close method. Just like our still wines, we use only estate grown fruit where we can manage all the details from spring prune through to harvest.
Reds are no longer a wish for Northern Michigan. Through careful research and years of growing we have gained an understanding of which red Europen vinifera to plant in our cool climate. All of our Red wine vines come from Bordeaux or Burgundy. Combine that great fruit with world class wine making and the results are beautiful, medium to full bodied red wines with layers of fruit and long finishes.
Reviews (29)
Nathaniel Franklin
Oct 20, 2021
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Rachel Schnaar
Aug 16, 2021
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Blaise B.
Jun 26, 2021
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Melissa Shelly
Jun 20, 2021
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Josh Sulkin
Jun 20, 2021
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Wendy Derossett
Jun 18, 2021
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Jennifer Burke
Jan 07, 2021
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Slightly belated as my significant other and I visited a couple weeks back but we wanted to make sure we left a good review. This was by far our favorite winery during our visit to traverse city. Colleen was extremely nice and generous to us. She definitely opened up my taste buds as i am usually a sweet wine kinda gal. Her and another lady gave us suggestions on where else we should visit during our stay. See you guys again soon.
Paula G.
Oct 28, 2020
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Lisa Rentz
Oct 21, 2020
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Jacob Darabos
Aug 19, 2020
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We had the best time visiting Verterra today. Colleen and Sara were unbelievable hosts. Given the inopportune times that the pandemic has introduced, the tasting room manager and team created a welcoming environment and a truly memorable experience. At a time when most tasting rooms are more concerned with regulations than welcoming and making guests feel at home Colleen and Sara have truly excelled at making us feel welcome, keeping us safe and healthy, and creating an unforgettable experience. Kudos ladies! We can’t wait to come see you again!
Martin Shelly
Aug 04, 2020
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Jenn C.
Nov 07, 2019
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Marcia V.
Oct 19, 2019
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Oh my dear, there are so many wineries in and around this area. You have so many choices. And Verterra should definitely be one you stop at. We walked in with some bag lunches from down the road and planned on just doing a quick tasting. The woman helping us, was incredibly friendly and chatty with my sister, mother and I. They have a wide array of wines, from dry to sweet. I tired a dry, but mostly stuck to sweet. And there was not one that I tried that I did not like. After doing our tasting, we asked if we could eat our lunch at one of the tables, if we got a glass of wine and we were told it
Kathy V.
Jul 25, 2019
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I want to start out by saying that the woman who led our tasting, Sara, is fantastic! She was bubbly and friendly and fun to talk to.
We walked in after having grabbed some sandwiches to-go from a spot up the street that doesn't have a dining area. Generally, places that don't offer food and wineries are welcoming of bringing in food with you. But I usually like to check ahead of time, just in case it is one of those few that doesn't allow it. I walked up to an open spot at the tasting bar and asked if it was alright for us to bring our food in, and it was not a problem at all
We walked in after having grabbed some sandwiches to-go from a spot up the street that doesn't have a dining area. Generally, places that don't offer food and wineries are welcoming of bringing in food with you. But I usually like to check ahead of time, just in case it is one of those few that doesn't allow it. I walked up to an open spot at the tasting bar and asked if it was alright for us to bring our food in, and it was not a problem at all
Stacia G.
May 14, 2019
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Small tasting room just on the other end of Fishtown. We actually had left but upon suggestion came back! So glad we did. Staff was knowledgeable about wine, about the area, and helped my friend pick out some wines. I of course got one of their reds- the Chaos- lovely and drinkable. Will definitely be back!
Sarah O.
Aug 21, 2018
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I love Verterra wines. The tasting room in Leland is wonderfully located right near fishtown and off the main drag. The wines are fantastic. I was up for a weekend wine trip, and went to at least a dozen wineries. Verterra were my favorite, by far. There wasn't a single wine I disliked! I wish they had wine club membership in Minnesota! I'd sign up in a second!
Jim Witte
Jul 16, 2018
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Verterra Winery is our go-to place for great wines. Both reds and whites and exceptional, and their Tundra Ice Wine is just flat out amazing. The tasting room is relaxed and inviting, the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and make you feel at home. We have also attended special events at their Ridge venue, enjoying the first-class facilities and world-class views. Verterra just knows how to do it right.
Katy C.
Aug 21, 2017
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My friends and I managed to stop in here right before Verterra closed (a majority of the wineries in the area close at 6 pm on Saturdays... weird) and I'm so glad we did!
Tastings were $3 for 3 or $5 for 5. I tried most of their reds and enjoyed them all, but the Chaos Red was definitely my favorite. It was medium-bodied and very well balanced; not too acidic or dry but not sweet either. An easy drinking table wine! We ended up buying 3 bottles of it. (If you buy 3 bottles, you can get one tasting off.) My friends loved the Reserve Red and one of the rose. The woman pouring for us was super
Tastings were $3 for 3 or $5 for 5. I tried most of their reds and enjoyed them all, but the Chaos Red was definitely my favorite. It was medium-bodied and very well balanced; not too acidic or dry but not sweet either. An easy drinking table wine! We ended up buying 3 bottles of it. (If you buy 3 bottles, you can get one tasting off.) My friends loved the Reserve Red and one of the rose. The woman pouring for us was super
Nomi W.
Apr 19, 2017
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I am going to attempt to review each of the nearly 40 wineries in the Grand Traverse area. In an effort to remain as objective as possible, I will be reviewing the wineries based on how well they live up to their vision of winemaking.
I'm not saying that Verterra is a BAD winery per se, I just don't think they have a very solid vision or philosophy of what they want to be and it does hurt them.
The good news is that many of their wines and ciders are quite good. However the best wines tend to be, again in my opinion, overpriced to the point that I can't justify buying one.
I
I'm not saying that Verterra is a BAD winery per se, I just don't think they have a very solid vision or philosophy of what they want to be and it does hurt them.
The good news is that many of their wines and ciders are quite good. However the best wines tend to be, again in my opinion, overpriced to the point that I can't justify buying one.
I
Colleen O.
Dec 09, 2016
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I have had several terrible experiences with Verterra Winery in the last few months.
First, I joined this wine club last spring. My husband and I frequently go wine tasting in this area and we thought it was a good idea to join a wine club here. Third week of September I was charged $140 for our shipment. Second week of October I still had not received so I called them. They told me that some orders were not sent out yet and mine must be in that batch and should have it by the end of the week. Another week goes by and I still do not have it so I call again. They tell me again I should have it within
First, I joined this wine club last spring. My husband and I frequently go wine tasting in this area and we thought it was a good idea to join a wine club here. Third week of September I was charged $140 for our shipment. Second week of October I still had not received so I called them. They told me that some orders were not sent out yet and mine must be in that batch and should have it by the end of the week. Another week goes by and I still do not have it so I call again. They tell me again I should have it within
Chris H.
Sep 15, 2016
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A great new tasting room in downtown Leland from a somewhat new winery.
The building is a neat building and the interior is just as fun. They have a large variety of wines. Along with fruit wines and multiple hard ciders. The tastings cost $5 for 5. However they take 1 tasting off if you buy 3 bottles. That's very fair in my opinion. I thought the wines were very good but my favorite was easily the dessert wine. Yum.
The server lady was extremely helpful and friendly. She even told us about smoked fish sausage at Carson's Fishery that went great with their Riesling. As we were already
The building is a neat building and the interior is just as fun. They have a large variety of wines. Along with fruit wines and multiple hard ciders. The tastings cost $5 for 5. However they take 1 tasting off if you buy 3 bottles. That's very fair in my opinion. I thought the wines were very good but my favorite was easily the dessert wine. Yum.
The server lady was extremely helpful and friendly. She even told us about smoked fish sausage at Carson's Fishery that went great with their Riesling. As we were already
Lisa S.
Jul 01, 2016
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Stopped in a week ago ... We like to support the local area businesses but I likely won't return. The wine is actually some of my favorite from the region but the young man behind the counter was quite rude. He was condescending and made us feel like we were a bother, though no one else was in the building. Won't return but the wine is good.
Colleen C.
Aug 13, 2015
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So much yes. Rosé!
My good pals and I took a little boat trip to Leland, and upon docking realized we were woefully unprepared with reservations to Riverview (next time, my dears, next time). And also, needed to use the restroom. To ease our pain in multiple ways we made our way for a late night summer (open til 8pm!) tasting at Verterra which was just what the doctor ordered.
Two different tasting options:
*3-1oz pours for $3.
*5-1oz pours $5 respectively
**If you decide to purchase wine, Verterra deducts one tasting fee from the purchase of two or more bottles of wine. Score!
2014 RosÃ
My good pals and I took a little boat trip to Leland, and upon docking realized we were woefully unprepared with reservations to Riverview (next time, my dears, next time). And also, needed to use the restroom. To ease our pain in multiple ways we made our way for a late night summer (open til 8pm!) tasting at Verterra which was just what the doctor ordered.
Two different tasting options:
*3-1oz pours for $3.
*5-1oz pours $5 respectively
**If you decide to purchase wine, Verterra deducts one tasting fee from the purchase of two or more bottles of wine. Score!
2014 RosÃ
Katie D.
Jul 01, 2014
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Nice small tasting room in a cozy historic fish town of Leland. While there be sure to try their peach cider sold under Chaos cider brand . Super fragrant and well balanced . As to their wines , we only tried the dry white varietals and they were all well made . The prices were on the expensive side - reserve Chardonnay for $29?? I can get excellent Chardonnay from the Russian river valley for less than that. German style wines were very good so we bought a few bottles .
Cory B.
Aug 16, 2013
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Amy P.
May 28, 2013
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I love the tasting room. It is nice not to have to drive out of town to try the wine and it looks like the have rehabbed an old existing building, very cute. You can easily make this a stop before or after heading to fishtown.
Both me and my friend enjoyed the unoaked Chardonnay and picked up a bottle to take home. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I the pricepoint is a bit high.
Both me and my friend enjoyed the unoaked Chardonnay and picked up a bottle to take home. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I the pricepoint is a bit high.
Robert H.
Nov 12, 2012
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I stopped in to the Verterra tasting room across from the Bluebird to get a couple bottles of their Pino Gris, which I had tried at the BB earlier in the week.
The room is warm and well-appointed. The ladies behind the counter were nice, but not overly friendly. While I was there, I sipped a couple of their other offerings. I wasn't blown away by anything else. The Pino Gris is definitely their best wine.
This is a storefront tasting room, not a winery, and so it is what it is. The wines are drinkable but not amazing.
The room is warm and well-appointed. The ladies behind the counter were nice, but not overly friendly. While I was there, I sipped a couple of their other offerings. I wasn't blown away by anything else. The Pino Gris is definitely their best wine.
This is a storefront tasting room, not a winery, and so it is what it is. The wines are drinkable but not amazing.
Tom L.
Jul 03, 2012
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This was a really great experience. Having been to Napa, Santa Barbara and to a variety of other wineries around the world, this was a surprising find. We didn't know anything about the place, the wine, the experience, but, it was a place to go on some time off while in northern Michigan and the results were unquestionably positive!
Verterra offered a very nice wine for a very affordable tasting fee (and good bottle prices), and a very knowledgeable and and delightful staff. From the owner to the family that staffed the tasting room, everyone was accessible, nonjudgmental, and eager to
Verterra offered a very nice wine for a very affordable tasting fee (and good bottle prices), and a very knowledgeable and and delightful staff. From the owner to the family that staffed the tasting room, everyone was accessible, nonjudgmental, and eager to
Chuck M.
Jul 10, 2011
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They'd just opened their tasting room at the start of July, a week before we arrived. My wife and I were impressed with the wines and the warmth (and space) of the tasting room, especially for a new winery. It may be a bit nondescript on the exterior, but the interior was great. It compares well with wineries in Sonoma, CA. They did not yet have all their wines in (no reds!) but will in a week or so.
We bought a few bottles of the unwooded chardonnay and are quite pleased with the taste.
We bought a few bottles of the unwooded chardonnay and are quite pleased with the taste.
