Winter is the time for wine.
Wait, did you read that right?
Yep: WINTER is the time for wine. At least it is up north in Traverse City, where most of our award-winning wineries stay open, despite the cold.
While you could enjoy the wineries with a thousand of your closest friends during the summer months, the slower season allows you one-on-one time with winemakers and tasting room staff, so you get an amazing, personalized experience. You could sip a glass of vino by the fireplace while you admire the crisp blankets of snow coating the countryside, or explore the special events, wine dinners, and intimate tours that abound November through March.
Winter is also the time to head to the spa. No one's going to argue that! That's why Spa Grand Traverse partners up with Northern Michigan wineries to create VIP Wine and Spa Weekends.
Perfect for couples or a couple of friends, the VIP weekends include a spa treatment at Spa Grand Traverse paired with a tasting and tour at a local winery, like Chateau Chantal in December, Bonobo Winery in January, and Bowers Harbor Vineyards in February.
Kristy McClellan, Director of Operations at Bowers Harbor Vineyards, gives a first-hand account of the VIP experience.
"You will be welcomed to Bowers Harbor Vineyards to toast the beautiful views of snowy vines and Lake Michigan's Bowers Harbor," said McClellan. "After a tour, you'll be able to explore our collection of wines starting from the first year we opened our tasting room in 1992. We serve cheese boards and handmade spreads while we pour our most popular and awarded wines. Our goal is for guests to taste, learn and enjoy!"
After sampling the red, white and bubbly wines of Northern Michigan, the spa awaits. A custom mani-pedi or organic facial will give you the perfect look heading into the holiday season, while a relaxation massage or aromatherapy-infused stress-relief wrap can melt away your tension and give your skin the love it needs.
"Winter is a key time to care for your skin," said Dawn Olsen, Director, Spa Grand Traverse. "The cold, dry weather can take a toll, so it's important to seek hydrating and soothing treatments to combat winter's negative effects."
When you're spending your getaway sipping a glass of wine and enjoying a rejuvenating spa service, you won't even notice the snow outside.
To book your VIP Wine and Spa package, head to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Written by Jillian Manning, Public Relations Manager Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Content and photo courtesy of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
