Experience Michigan’s Best: Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn in Traverse City
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Nestled in the rolling hills of Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Chantal winery and vineyard command a gorgeous view of the sparkling blue Grand Traverse Bay and Power Island.
For a unique experience in Northern Michigan, enjoy the hospitality of the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn. The views of Grand Traverse Bay are stunning, and the vineyard location is just breathtaking. It’s also the place to go for a special occasion like your anniversary to celebrate.
Wine dinners, tastings, luscious food, a bed and breakfast where you’ll be treated like royalty. Learn more about everything the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn offers visitors.
History of the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn
The history of Chateau Chantal is unusual. Robert Begin and his wife Nadine had a dream. At the time, Bob was a Catholic priest, and Nadine was a member of the Felician Sisters. Both of them realized that they had another calling, though.
When you visit Chateau Chantal, you get the feeling that they made the right choice. Together, the couple created something very special!
The Grape Vines
The first vines at Chateau Chantal Traverse City were planted in the 1980s on the 60 acres that Bob and Nadine originally purchased. The grapes matured, and the result is pretty spectacular wines that have been appreciated as far away as Washington D.C.
Caring for the Environment
Chateau Chantal takes pride in the Traverse City area and does what they can to care for the environment.
“We are committed to preserving and advancing the regional quality of life by providing an agritourism option that is an economically sound vehicle for land preservation and family farm preservation, set in a unique tourism destination that enhances the regional reputation for beauty, quality, and hospitality,” Marie-Chantal Dalese says proudly.
Honors Earned by Chantal Chateau
The winery has produced 65 award-winning wines of such a caliber that Chateau Chantal is considered one of the best wineries in Michigan and beyond. The 2011 Chateau Chantal Late Harvest Riesling won a double gold at the 2012 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition.
In 2016, the 2013 vintage ice wine from Chateau Chantal was served at the White House during the Canadian State Dinner. The ice wine was chosen over eight other American ice wines that were sampled by the White House sommelier. It was on the menu to complement a maple pecan cake served with butterscotch swirl ice cream.
You can try their wines yourself at the Chateau Chantal’s year-round tasting room.
The Staff Make the Difference
One of the biggest differences between Chateau Chantal and other Traverse City wineries that make it worth visiting time and time again is their superb staff that welcomes you like family.
“Our staff makes each experience memorable,” Dalese says. “We have many customers and B&B guests that come back year after year, asking for the same staff to help them. It’s about personal connection.”
Exploring the Chateau Chantal Winery & Vineyard
The Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn has a vast property with much to explore. In fact, there’s more to do here than the obvious wine tastings.
Wine Tastings
The wine tasting room at Chateau Chantal is open for tastings daily. You can get a flight of wines or single glasses. If you’ve never had a flight, it’s a small serving of multiple wines to give you a few different tasting opportunities. It’s the best way to find out which wines you like.
You can sip your wine on the East Patio or West Terrace, and food options are available to add to all wine tastings. We recommend that you make a reservation for your wine tasting because space is limited.
The Wine Club
If you’ve fallen in love with the superb wines at Chateau Chantal, consider getting a wine club membership to guarantee that your favorites are delivered to your home four times a year. You can choose from dry and sweet wines, or leave it up to the winery to choose.
Wine club memberships come with lots of other perks. For instance, you get discounts on wines and culinary events and offseason discounts for stays at the inn. Additionally, you get a free private cellar tour for six people, as well as free glasses or flights of wine with a charcuterie board for two people.
If you live locally, this is a great deal! Taking advantage of the free wine cellar tour and the tasting with charcuterie board more than pays for the cost of the membership.
Michigan Wines for Sale
Chateau Chantal produces white, red, pink, bubbly, and other really exciting wine varietals. Club members get a discount, but the prices are quite reasonable for non-club members too. Everyone who orders six or more bottles gets a 5% discount and 10% for 12 or more bottles.
Self-Guided Founders Trail
You’re welcome to walk the Founders Trail on the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn grounds. You can choose between strolling the 1/2-mile loop or 3/4-mile loop through the working vineyard. Part of the trail is rough, and some parts are hilly, so dress accordingly.
It’s free to walk the trail any time that the winery is open. Just check in at the tasting room to let them know that you’ll be out in the vineyard. You’re likely to see people hard at work as you walk around.
The Chateau Chantal Bed & Breakfast
Not only is Chateau Chantal an award-winning winery, but it’s also a bed and breakfast. Imagine spending the night in this magnificent estate and waking up to those phenomenal views. Amazing, right?
Robert and Nadine put service first, and their Northern hospitality was exceptional. As the current CEO, their daughter Marie-Chantal Dalese carries on that tradition of hospitality.
Whether you want a cozy room, spacious suite, or executive apartment, the level of luxury is exceptional. Spectacular views from a balcony or terrace in every room are a hallmark. The amenities that you have will vary depending on the room that you get. But, all the rooms are elegantly furnished and have soaring ceilings and private en suite bathrooms.
Constructed in the style of a French chateau, the inn at Chateau Chantal opened in 1993 with only three rooms. In 2003, the bed and breakfast was expanded to include eight additional rooms.
Nine of the rooms are named after famous impressionist painters, which isn’t surprising in a French chateau. You could find yourself in the Sisley, Van Gogh, or Cassatt room or suite. Breakfast is included and can be delivered to your room if you prefer. Plenty of sweet and savory choices are available.
On top of that, the Chateau Chantal bed and breakfast features add-on packages to make special occasions even more unforgettable — seasonal flower bouquets, truffles and chocolates, Champagne flutes with the Chateau Chantal logo, and a bottle of sparkling wine.
More Things to Do at Chateau Chantal
Ice Wine Festival
The Ice Wine Festival has been held at Chateau Chantal every January since 2017. It’s a celebration of a phenomenon — The ability to grow, freeze, and harvest grapes. Very few areas have the right climate to accomplish this process, and Traverse City Michigan is one of them.
The resulting sweet wine is a treasure, and Chateau Chantal’s ice wine is among the finest in the world. This daylong festival includes samples of ice wine, tours, s’mores, ice sculptures, and other activities. Fire pits are lit to keep you warm, and it all culminates with the Ice Wine Dinner.
Listen to Jazz at Sunset
Imagine the sun setting on Grand Traverse Bay and the sounds of jazz playing while you sip a glass of wine. It’s the perfect way to spend Thursday evenings at the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn.
The Jazz at Sunset evenings are held during July and August and require a reservation. It’s important to save your spot even if you want to sit on the grass with a chair or blanket.
Tables are available for groups of two, four, and six people. Or, you can reserve an Adirondack chair with a side table to enjoy 2.5 hours of great music.
Take a Cooking Class
Chateau Chantal offers cooking classes from February through May. You can book classes online for the types of meals that you want to learn to prepare.
Some food choices include Coq au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, fresh pasta, and risotto. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to prepare some classic dishes, this is the perfect opportunity.
Indulge in a Multicourse Wine Dinner
Aside from cooking classes, you have the chance to enjoy dinner with wine at Chateau Chantal. The evening begins with a tour of the vineyard and winery, which is followed by a multicourse meal with wine pairings.
Chateau Chantal is part of a local food initiative, so at least 20% of the meal is locally sourced. Every effort is made to use Michigan-grown and sourced products. As a local business, the winery supports other local businesses and growers.
Wine dinners are held every week from June through October, while special occasion wine dinners are held at select times. We recommend booking the wine dinner of your choice as soon as possible because they’re extremely popular. The price of the wine dinner is all-inclusive — food, wine, tax, and tip.
Celebrate Your Wedding
And yet it keeps getting better. Chateau Chantal can also host your wedding or vow renewals. What bride wouldn’t love that?
Can you imagine any place more beautiful to have a wedding than a French chateau overlooking a scenic body of water? The location is so beautiful, the food is outstanding (as the wine dinners prove), and of course, a sparkling wine toast with Chateau Chantal wine is the perfect complement.
The level of service at Chateau Chantal makes celebrating any occasion here a sweet memory that lasts a lifetime. A suite at the bed and breakfast is a beautiful way to celebrate your wedding night and many anniversaries to come. It’s certainly a romantic location!
Discover All That Chateau Chantal & Traverse City Have to Offer
The Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn is a fantastic destination whether you’re a wine lover or just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. At the very least, it’s a wonderful place to soak up the stunning scenery and tranquillity in Traverse City.
If you want to find more wine tastings, there are more than a dozen other Traverse City wineries and vineyards to tour. Traverse City even has several microbreweries and craft breweries, and there are tons of things to do.