Chateau Fontaine sits on 75 acres of rolling Leelanau Peninsula farmland that was once a potato farm — a transformation that mirrors the broader story of Michigan wine country, where agricultural land found its highest calling not in row crops but in vineyards. The south-facing slopes that attracted founder Dan Matthies in the 1970s have proven genuinely exceptional for cool-climate grape growing.
The winery produces a full range of estate wines with consistent quality across both white and red varieties. The Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay show the crisp, fruit-forward character typical of Leelanau Peninsula whites, while the Pinot Noir and Cab Franc demonstrate that the estate's terroir is equally suited to red wine production.
The tasting room and surrounding grounds are family-friendly and welcoming, with a relaxed pace that invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the vineyard setting.