Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

Walter and Eileen Brys had settled into retirement in Florida, but decided retirement was not for them and they begin to think about their 30-year dream of starting a vineyard and winery. They searched Texas, California, the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and the Finger Lakes region of New York. In 1999, they decided to return to their home state of Michigan to explore the wine regions of Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas around Traverse City.

They acquired a former cherry orchard with a circa 1890 farmhouse and transformed the property into a working vineyard. Planting commenced in 2001 and by 2004 had begun construction on a new winery and tasting room. Currently, Brys Estate is the largest contiguous winery estate on Old Mission Peninsula.

Brys Estate has won over 350 medals in wine competitions. Among other varietals, an Estate Grown Old Mission Peninsula Pinot Noir is offered.

The winemaker is Coenraad Stassen, a South African native.