45 North Vineyard & Winery | Lake Leelanau
Located directly on the 45th parallel, we use our distinct location as the driving force behind our approach to crafting world-class wines that represent the region. Using grapes from estate and regional vineyards, everything is handcrafted on-site with the goal of producing the most approachable, elegant wines possible.
The winery began in 2006 when Steve and Lori Grossnickle purchased a centennial farm on Michigan’s picturesque Leelanau Peninsula. Having owned a vacation cottage on nearby Little Traverse Lake since 1982, Steve, a former ophthalmologist from Indiana, and Lori had developed a real passion for Leelanau County and the growing local wine scene. The property sits in the middle of the peninsula among the rolling hills and offers a spectacular view of the pristine countryside. Soon after purchasing the land, they began working with the Leelanau Conservancy to donate a conservation easement on the land that restricts it from development and keeps the land in farming forever. Steve says his love for the peninsula is what inspired him to permanently protect the 100-acre farm:
“Leelanau is beyond spectacular. It should remain pristine, as it is.”
With a strong commitment to sustainable farming practices, the winery actively farms 35 acres of several varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. The magic happens in the vineyard, as they say, but the finishing touches take place in the on-site production building where the grapes are crushed, refined, aged, bottled, and labeled. It’s truly a vineyard-to-bottle operation.
