A Northern Michigan winery/vineyard making SIP Certified wines near Torch Lake
Welcome to WaterFire
WaterFire wines express our unparalleled commitment to the Great Lakes. As the first Certified Sustainable vineyard in the Midwest, we go to great lengths to protect the landscape around us, using no herbicides and low risk pesticides, minimizing impacts to air and water, caring for our employees and making some delicious and superior wines in the process.
Our wines are fashioned in small batches from grapes we farm ourselves. We follow Certified Sustainable practices in the vineyard and exacting cellar standards to bring finessed and elegant flavors of the Torch Lake region directly to your table.
Off the Beaten Path
Removed from the busy wine trails, our little tasting room is small and intimate and our service is centered around you, our guests.
Our Love for the Lakes
We combined our love of wine and of the lakes to build the WaterFire brand. What better way to showcase the caliber of wines that can be made in Michigan than to do so without harmful chemicals. Taste for yourself, in every glass of WaterFire wine
Experience a unique offering of Certified Sustainable European vinifera wines made in Michigan.
For our customers, our certification means our grapes are grown with the upmost attention paid to maximizing the natural defenses of the vine and minimizing the need to react to disease outbreaks. Having our senses wide open makes for better farming practices that ultimately makes for better wine. Do I hear a cheers, anyone...
SIP Sustainability in Practice
WaterFire is the first vineyard in the Midwest, and the first vineyard outside of California, to be Certified Sustainable through the award winning Sustainability in Practice (SIP) program, among the most rigorous certification programs in the country.
Not only do we use organically-certified products, but we follow regenerative growing practices and adhere to a suite of additional requirements that include water conservation, energy efficiency, air quality, fruit quality, social responsibility, community relations and more.
Check out our 2023 harvest video, all sustainably grown!
WaterFire Vineyards Grüner Veltliner Harvest 2023
Great Expectations
Our tasting room offers excellent wines, hard cider, and select foods that pair superbly with our wines.
Relax on our deck, keep warm around our fireplace, walk through the vineyards, and enjoy our wines and charcuterie.
Our entire property is available to stroll, dine, or take in the vines as they grow.
Tasting Room Hours
January 2025 Hours:
Closed Sunday-Friday
Open Saturday 12-6 PM
Check social media for special closings due to weather, holidays, or private events.
Do you want to host a special event or schedule a tasting outside our regular hours? We invite you to book a private tasting with our staff at any time of the year.
Join Our Wine Club
We are now taking WaterFire Club Members! You can sign up online by clicking the button below.
Membership includes 4 quarterly shipments of 4 bottles of wine, 15% discount off all purchases, and invitation to annual wine club event (separate charges apply).
If you're looking for more information or have questions, please contact the winery at (231) 498-2753.
Customizable Private Parties
Life is worth celebrating with excellent wine surrounded by those you love. Let us commemorate your special moments with a customized visit. Gatherings at WaterFire Vineyards are intimate, thoughtful, and centered around our sustainable wines and farm. From bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, and family gatherings to a customized visit during your Northern Michigan vacation, let us treat you to a unique vineyard experience.
Wine & Cheese Party - $45/person
This includes guided tasting with a knowledgeable staff member, a generous charcuterie spread, and 2 oz pours of all our offerings.
An hour with the winemaker - $85 per hour
(this is a flat fee regardless of party size. Additional charges for add-on options)
From a tasting in the vineyard, as the winemaker gives you a walking tour, to a sit-down conversation with the winemaker while you taste, you will have our winemakers' undivided attention.
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Add five 2 oz wine tastings at $20 per person.
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Add a generous charcuterie spread and five 2 oz wine tastings for $45 per person.
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Option for non-alcoholic drinkers and your designated driver is also available.
For all private events and parties:
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For parties of 6 participants and up.
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Let us know if you are booking this for a special occasion so we can add touches to help you celebrate! Do you need a cake delivered? How about some decorative touches? Let us know!
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Please book your event at least two weeks in advance.
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All events and parties require a 50% deposit with sales to hold the date. The final payment includes a 20% gratuity.
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For more information or to book a private event, email info@waterfirewine.com or our event coordinator at joanna@jccreativemarketing.com.
WaterFire Customized Parties 2
Stay with us!
Do you dream of a vineyard vacation in a secluded setting? Sampling wines and connecting with how they are made? Touring wine country? This retreat is located on a 26 acre vineyard in Northwest Michigan and perched atop a ridge that extends up from idyllic Torch Lake. It is 1/2 mile walk to the lake or 5 minute drive to beaches on Lake Michigan. The deck has sweeping views of the vineyard and the space offers one queen bedroom, a small fridge and microwave and a sitting area.
Just a Few of our Recent Reviews!
"We loved our stay at the tasting room. The space was peaceful, clean, and beautiful. Most of all, Chantal was a wonderful and friendly host. We had great conversation, recommendations, wine tasting and a lesson on sustainable wining on arrival. We would certainly stay again and recommend strongly to others."
Colton August 2024
"Chantal was a great host and always answered our questions in a timely manner. The Airbnb was comfortable. The WiFi was strong, which made it easy to work remotely. Our dog enjoyed walking along the property. We enjoyed the wine and hospitality from the winery staff while we were there. We would stay here again."
Elizabeth July 2024
"A beautiful setting that is just a 10 minutes' drive to Elk Rapids and close to other lovely towns such as Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Easy drive to and from Traverse City airport. Beautiful walking trail close to the winery! The apartment was very comfortable with an excellent bed."
Mara July 2024
