Traverse City wine tour: 3 wineries, no party bus

You taste at three wineries without waiting for a bus to fill up.

A semi-private wine tour of Traverse City's Old Mission Peninsula that visits three wineries in a luxury SUV with a live guide, downtown pickup and drop-off, and wine samples included. Groups of six or more typically get a private vehicle and can adjust the itinerary; the tour runs three to four hours depending on group pace. Tastings, bottles and food cost extra at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City wine tour with 3 stops

• Pickup in downtown Traverse City
• Drive along East Bay shoreline
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Drive with views of West Bay
• Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyards tasting room
• Visit Bonobo Winery tasting room
• Optional extra stop for lunch at Brys Estates
• Drop off in downtown Traverse City

The Experience

You get picked up downtown Traverse City in a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban—not a party bus—and driven to three wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula. The guide is a local wine expert, often a University of Michigan or Michigan State graduate who knows the region's wines and the tasting rooms themselves. Wine samples are included as part of the tour price; if you want to buy flights, glasses or bottles at any stop, that's separate. The route itself is part of the experience: you'll see the East Bay shoreline on the drive to Hawthorne Vineyards, then the West Bay views on the way to the next stop, and both bays appear throughout the rest of the afternoon.

The three wineries rotate based on availability and season, but the tour typically includes stops like Hawthorne Vineyards (a high bluff tasting room overlooking both bays with an outdoor fireplace), Bonobo Winery (founded by Traverse City brothers, known for Pinot Noir and a whiskey tasting option), and Bowers Harbor Vineyards (established in 1991, a former horse farm where you might see dogs on the property). At each location you can order wine flights, sit on a patio or by a fire pit, and order food like charcuterie boards or fried goat cheese if available. The pace is yours: if your group wants to linger longer at one stop or skip another, the guide works with that.

Larger groups of six or seven typically get their own vehicle and can suggest which wineries to visit or how many stops to make. You can also add a lunch stop at Brys Estates as an optional extra. After the tour ends, you're dropped off downtown Traverse City at a restaurant or hotel of your choice, so if you've bought a box of wine, you can pick it up the next day and spend the evening exploring the town.

What’s included

• Wine samples.
• pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City.
• expert local guide.
• luxury SUV transportation.
• views of both East and West Grand Traverse bays during the drive.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the semi-private tour if you want to taste at three wineries without the party-bus atmosphere and prefer to set your own pace at each stop. Choose the private option if your group is six or larger and wants to pick specific wineries or adjust the itinerary on the day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What wineries does the Traverse City wine tour visit?

The tour visits three wineries selected from a rotation that includes Hawthorne Vineyards, Bonobo Winery, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Mari Vineyards, Chateau Grand Traverse, Brys Estates, and Old Mission Distillery. The exact stops depend on availability, weather and time of year, and your guide will confirm them when you book.

How long does the Traverse City wine tour take?

The tour typically runs three to four hours, depending on how long your group spends at each winery and the pace you set.

What's included in the wine tour price?

Wine samples are included, along with pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City and the expert guide. Tastings, wine flights, bottles, glasses and food at the wineries are not included in the tour price and cost extra at each stop.

Can I customize the stops or add a lunch break?

Yes. Groups of six or more typically get a private vehicle and can suggest which wineries to visit or request fewer stops. You can also add an optional lunch stop at Brys Estates when you book.

Is this tour private or shared?

The tour is semi-private, combining couples and small groups in one vehicle. Groups of six or seven usually have their own GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, so larger parties travel separately.

Where does the tour pick up and drop off?

Pickup and drop-off happen at select locations in downtown Traverse City. You can arrange to be dropped at your hotel, motel or a restaurant of your choice after the tour ends.