Slopeside Lounge at the Highlands

Walking into the Slopeside Lounge after a day on the slopes, the wine list feels like a warm handshake — familiar, comfortable, and heavy on California hits. It's the kind of list that won't surprise you, but it won't disappoint you either, especially if you've got a thing for Napa Cabs. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2023, and you can see why: the program is curated and cared for, even if it doesn't take many risks.

The 80-120 bottle list leans hard into California — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Far Niente — the greatest hits of Napa and Sonoma, all present and accounted for. If you're looking for Burgundy deep cuts, skin-contact weirdness, or anything from the southern hemisphere, you're in the wrong lounge. That said, for a ski resort in northern Michigan, this is a genuinely well-assembled California-focused program, and the presence of two sommeliers on staff (Abby Zelenak and Erin Kuethe) means the list isn't just a wine distributor's default order. There are gaps in diversity, but what's here is solid.

The by-the-glass program runs 12-18 options in the $10-$18 range, which is respectable for a resort setting. You can reliably find something worth drinking without committing to a full bottle, and the Rombauer Chardonnay almost certainly shows up as a pour — which is either great news or expected news depending on your feelings about buttery Chard. Rotation doesn't appear to be a major feature here, but the core lineup is dependable.