Wine & Sushi: The Perfect Pairing

Sushi and wine combine at the new team-up between Bonobo and Dojo

By Todd VanSickle | Sept. 19, 2026

Traverse City’s newest haunt literally has two bars—wine and sushi. Bonobo Winery and Dojo Sushi have combined forces in a historic TC home and recently opened its doors to the neighborhood and beyond.

Although there are two separate businesses operating in the same building, the ultimate goal is to create an experience where the two businesses work together, says Dojo Sushi owner Brent Shafer. “Bonobo brings the wine, Dojo brings the sushi, and each of us focus on doing what we do best.”

The Space

On a Saturday evening at 115 Franklin Street, a family of four sat at a table with two kids, who could barely touch the floor, eating sushi on the porch. Inside the historic Victorian home and former music school, the sound of Van Morrison occasionally broke through the chatter of guests sipping wine and noshing on sushi. Some wore high heels and cocktail dresses, while others mingled in sweatpants and sandals with a glass of wine in hand.

“The overall vibe definitely feels much more upscale, but still relaxed,” says Shafer.

Guests can choose to sit in one of three rooms after placing their wine and sushi orders at individual adjacent bars. There is no table service, and numbers are given to guests to keep track of orders. The main room is bright, modern, and welcoming, while the two front rooms are more intimate with darker walls donned in vintage botanical wallpaper and old portraits. Grand Traverse Bay can be seen from almost any seat in the house.

“The space itself is so different from our original location,” Shafer says. “The historic Franklin Street property is so beautiful and the view of the bay is unmatched. I feel we have done an excellent job at preserving the intimate feeling that we achieved in the old classroom; we can still chat with our guests and build connections, but the overall dining experience feels a little more elevated and special.”

The Dojo Sushi opened in December 2020 at the Long Lake Culinary Campus before moving in with Bonobo in August.

“We had grown out of the space and were ready to make a move,” Shafer explains. “Bonobo reached out to me about a property they were looking at and it felt like a really good fit. Sushi and wine are a natural pair, and being downtown was always the end goal, so we felt like it was an opportunity we would be crazy to pass on.”

The restaurant seats about 27, with eight spots at the sushi bar.

“Most of it indoors, a few tables outside,” Shafer says of the seating. “We still have a sushi bar where we encourage guests to watch us make their food and talk to us—it’s the best part of the job.”

During our visit, a half dozen guests sat shoulder to shoulder at the sushi bar watching four chefs work non-stop putting finishing touches on each order. “Our goal is to run out [of sushi] each night,” one of the chefs told a customer sitting at the bar.

“Has it been this busy?” the customer asked as he looked around at the crowded room.

“You should have been here last night,” another chef chimed in. “We broke records, as far as sales go.”

The Wine

Upon entering the restaurant, guests are first greeted by the Bonobo Winery bar. Bonobo’s main location is on Old Mission Peninsula, and they’ve been in operation since 2015. Bonobo Winery CEO Todd Oosterhouse along with his family—brother, sister, and brother-in-law—also own the Franklin Street house.

“We run the place and Dojo operates within that building,” Oosterhouse tells us. “Bonobo runs the alcohol part of it. It’s just an off-site tasting room, if you want to use the legal term.”

Wine is offered by the glass ($9-$13) or bottle ($24-$28). Additionally, wine by the bottle can be purchased to go. Currently, Bonobo offers eight different wines at Franklin Street, which is pared down from the flagship location. In addition to wine, Oosterhouse hopes to offer distilled spirits in the future.

“Wines from northern Michigan are very food friendly, and we capture that in the winery,” says Oosterhouse. “But this just takes it one step further. The wines that we’ve selected to be down here pair really well with the type of food that [Dojo] is putting out. So, it really helps both businesses. This is more casual, but upscale, in terms of what you’re getting—a great product, but you don’t have to do all the pomp and circumstance to get there.”

He adds that the response from the community has been very positive, something he credits both Dojo’s and Bonobo’s reputation to.

“The public really seems to be taking to it,” said Oosterhouse. “Brent had a great reputation where he was and the way he does fresh sushi. It’s just a new hotspot in Traverse City that everyone should come out and enjoy.”

The Sushi

Dojo has also adapted their menu slightly while they warm up to the new venue.

“We’ve kept the favorites,” Shafer says. “We wanted to keep the menu approachable, while still offering a few unique rolls for people who want to explore.”

Nigiri and sashimi run about $5 to $10, and rolls start at $12 for classics like the California and top out at $22 for the Seven Spice Tuna.

“We are especially grateful for the guests who followed us downtown and helped Dojo grow to the point where this next step was even possible,” Shafer says. He’s looking forward to collaborating with Bonobo and offering more for customers to enjoy.

“We are excited about future sushi and wine pairings, special dinners, collaborations, and events that make sense for the space,” Shafer says. “Most importantly, we hope to continue building on the things that have made Dojo what it is today: keep creating delicious sushi and keep building relationships with our guests. We love that they can now sit down in this gorgeous spot with a glass of wine as well.”

Find both Bonobo and Dojo Sushi at 115 Franklin St. in Traverse City. bonobowinery.com; eatdojo.com