Leelanau County featured in New York TimesThe New York Times featured the Leelanau Peninsula area in an article about the growing wine region (plus a mention of the Korner Kottage), check it out below!
Read Michigan’s Wine Country Grows Where the Cherry Is King in the New York Times

While a weekend spent in bed is never a bad idea, if you’re in the mood to explore, you’re in the right place. Here on Leelanau Peninsula-often called Michigan’s pinkie finger-forest, orchards, vineyards, quaint towns and nearly 100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline are yours to discover.

Here are a few of our favorite daytrips…

History Lovers: Cruise up M-22 to the tiny town of Northport, then head to Leelanau State Park along M-109 to see the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a stately 1800’s-era lighthouse that’s open to the public and outfitted the way it was when the keepers and their families lived here more than a century ago. Head down M-22 on the other side of the peninsula and wind your way to Leland’s Fishtown, a 140-year-old fishing village whose weathered shanties and shops are wonderful for shopping and camera shots. Continue on down M-22 for a glimpse into the Manitou Passage’s dramatic history. You’ll find it at the U.S. Coastguard museum, an actual U.S. Lifesaving Station that once stood on Sleeping Bear Point.

Pure Romance: Pick a winery-any winery. We’ve got more than a twenty on the peninsula, nine of which are within minutes of the Korner Kottage. May we suggest a start at the bucolic Black Star Farms? While horses roam the surrounding meadows, you course along the vineyard to the tasting room to sample the winery’s handcrafted wines and watch the vintners-and the adjoining Leelanau Cheese Co.’s creamery in action. Continue south along M-22, and you’ll find L. Mawby vineyards-home to the region’s celebrated sparkling wines. One to try: Sex sparkling wine-it’s as good as it’s name promises. Next up? If you can manage more, visit the tasting rooms at: Silver Leaf, Ciccone, Willow, Chateau de Leelanau, Chateau Fontaine, Gill’s Pier, Good Harbor, Bel Lago, Leelanau Wine Cellars, Raftshol and Shady Lane wineries. A must visit are two hard cider tasting rooms, Tandem Cider and Good Neighbor Organic.

Nature Seekers: Bring your bikes and hit the Leelanau Trail, a 15-mile gravel and paved path that starts right in Suttons Bay and passes through forest, meadows and farmland-with views of lakes, ponds and meandering streams on its way to Traverse City. No bikes? No problem. Drive west to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where 40-story dunes rise to the sky and fall to the water. Hearty hikers can try the challenging dune climb or hike Pyramid Point, which brings you through the woods to the crest of a dune; a stunning overlook to the Manitou Passage below. Those who prefer a more level meander will love the Cottonwood Trail, a small loop along the dunes. Rather see the landscape from the comfort of your car? The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will take you under a covered bridge, past panoramic big water views and to some of the most stunning dune overlooks around. You’ll find a detailed map to all the lakeshore’s loveliest spots at the visitor center in Empire (corner of M-72 and M-22).

Whatever daytrip you choose, consider taking along a picnic-we’ll pack it for you-so you can savor the scenery of the Leelanau Peninsula just a little bit longer…