Much like Napa Valley, the area around Traverse City, Michigan, is full of rolling hills dotted with vineyards.

Instead of views of distant mountains, Michigan offers a different beauty: the blue waters of Lake Michigan.

The city is nestled between two wine-growing peninsulas — Old Mission and Leelanau — which jut out into this Great Lake, offering a scenic backup for a wine-tasting adventure.

What makes me prefer these sweeping vistas to the ones found in California is the cost.

Even during the peak summer season, it's not uncommon to find hotel rooms here for under $200 a night. Napa prices are easily double (or triple) that cost.

Traverse City sits on the 45th parallel, just like some of the world's most famous wine regions.

The unique microclimate of the area creates perfect conditions for cool-climate wine production, with boutique wineries crafting rieslings, pinot noirs, and other varietals that are surprisingly great.

Its cozy tasting rooms found here tend to feel less stuffy than the ones I've visited in California. As a casual wine enthusiast, I appreciate how this informal style offers more welcoming vibes.

The craft-brew scene in Michigan is similarly booming, making this an ideal destination for savoring a taste of hops.

Plus, Michigan is the third largest apple producer in the US and the cherry capital of the world, making its fruit ciders a must-try.

This variety of drinking experiences means that there's always something delicious on tap.

One of my favorite spots is Sutton Bay Ciders, which features idyllic leaf-peeping opportunities in autumn, kid-friendly seasonal events, and dog-friendly seating areas that make this a place my whole family can enjoy together.

Downtown Napa is pretty, but it can also be a busy scene. Traverse City offers a slice of small-town Americana that I find much more endearing.

Quirky shops and comfy cafés make me feel like I've stepped into a Hallmark movie, and the pace here feels decidedly more relaxed.

The city's waterfront locale makes it a fun beachy getaway during the summer, and it's just a short drive from other interesting communities like Leland, where visitors can learn about the area's Native American history.

California's national parks are well-known for their beauty, but Pure Michigan offers plenty of outdoor opportunities that often feel overlooked.

In addition to the ample boating, swimming, and other lake life options found in Traverse City, the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore features miles of towering sand dunes that feel worlds away from the flat plains most associated with the Midwest.

Whether I'm hiking the dunes, sampling local flavors, enjoying a day out on the water, or setting off in search of striking lighthouses (Michigan has over 100), I always enjoy a stress-free and budget-friendly stay in Traverse City.

When I attended the Culinary Institute of America, we learned about wine pairing during a five-course lunch — and the experience sent me down a dessert-wine rabbit hole. 

Now, serving sweet wines alongside desserts in my own home makes me feel like I'm recreating that special experience for my guests.

This sweet Guillaume Gonnet wine, made from fruit harvested in France's Rhône region, contains 100% muscat grapes.

It tastes like sweet apricots and honey, so I'd pair it with pumpkin pie, vanilla ice cream, buttery shortbread, and desserts made with stone fruits (like peaches and plums).

I'll be honest — most of the time, prosecco isn't a wine I tend to reach for. It can have a dull, muted flavor, and I may as well just be drinking sparkling water.

However, the Kirkland Signature Asolo prosecco superiore is anything but that.

When I put my nose to a glass of this drink, I'm hit with fruity notes — to me, it smells like white peach and green apple — and florals. Upon tasting this wine, my palate gets a refreshing acidity and zippy bubbles.

This prosecco makes a fabulous spritz when mixed with amaro liqueur and ginger beer. It also pairs beautifully with crunchy, salty snacks.

While studying to be a sommelier, I visited the Scharffenberger tasting room in Mendocino County, California, and the quality of the wines blew me away.

Because Mendocino County has a cool maritime climate, the grapes used in this wine have a perfect tartness that elevate this sparkling beverage from good to great. This brut (dry) rosé also has notes of raspberry jam and strawberries on a pastry base.

Plus, it's made using a similar method to how Champagne is processed. So, if you want something of similar quality to Champagne for one-third of the price, this is a great option.

Chablis is like the nice, popular girl. Pretty much everyone loves it, and it's a total crowd-pleaser. Even people I know who hate chardonnay — the variety of grapes used in this wine — adore this option.

This white wine, made with grapes harvested in France's Burgundy region, tastes fresh and light. It also spent nine months on the fine lees — a fermentation process that gives the beverage a more complex flavor — so it has a pillow-soft texture.

I love to serve this wine when my guests arrive so they can whet their appetites.

Gigondas is a French appellation (a designated area where grapes are grown and harvested) in the southern Rhône region known for robust red wines.

This Kirkland Signature wine has a satisfying juiciness and fruity notes — when I have a glass, I can taste spiced plum, black cherries, and even mocha. Plus, it's the perfect partner for heavier dishes.

One of my favorite pairings for this wine is a juicy cheeseburger. If I'm hosting a dinner party and want meals where I let the oven do most of the work, I serve it with short ribs, shepherd's pie, or a deep, rich ragù.

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