Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour: Cadillac Escalade, 4 Wineries

Propose at a vineyard overlooking both bays, then celebrate with the winery crowd cheering you on.

A private Cadillac Escalade wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula visits four wineries in a morning or afternoon, with a local guide, wine tastings and complimentary champagne. The tour departs from downtown Traverse City and returns there. You choose which wineries to visit or let the guide recommend based on what you're after. Groups run 2–4 or 5–6 people, and the operator coordinates proposal moments at venues like Hawthorne Vineyards (dual bay views and an outdoor fireplace) or Bonobo Winery (where the staff celebrates with applause). Wine flights, glasses, bottles and food are available for purchase at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour

• Pickup in Downtown Traverse City
• Visit Peninsula Cellars - Old School House
• Tour Chateau Grand Traverse winery
• Explore Mari Vineyards and hear Oak Island story
• Wine tasting at Hawthorne Vineyards with bay views
• Stop at Bry's Estates winery
• Visit Chateau Chantal overlooking both bays
• Experience Bowers Harbor Vineyards
• Tour Bonobo Winery and celebrate with champagne
• Visit Old Mission Distillers for drinks and wine
• Drop off at local hotels or motels

The experience

Old Mission Peninsula sits between two arms of Grand Traverse Bay, and the wineries here have become the backbone of Traverse City's wine region. The tour picks you up in downtown Traverse City and moves through the peninsula on a fixed route (four stops, roughly 4.5 hours total), but you're not locked into a preset itinerary. Tell your guide which wineries appeal to you, or describe what you're looking for (a secluded spot, the best reds, a place with outdoor seating) and they'll steer toward the right venues. The Cadillac Escalade is air-conditioned, holds your group alone, and the driver is a local who knows the region.

Each winery has its own character. Hawthorne Vineyards sits on a high bluff with views of both bays from the tasting room and an outdoor patio with a fireplace. A natural spot if you're planning to propose. Bonobo Winery, founded by two Traverse City brothers, has a Hollywood feel and is the only place on the peninsula where you can sample whiskey alongside wine. After you pop the question, the staff brings out champagne and the deck crowd applauds. Chateau Chantal overlooks both bays. Bowers Harbor is known as the doggy winery. At each stop, you taste wines (reds like Merlot and Pinot Noir, whites like Auxerrois and Chardonnay), and can order flights, glasses, bottles or charcuterie boards. The tour includes a complimentary bottle of champagne, handed to you by the owner.

The guides are wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs, mostly graduates of Michigan universities. They're trained to recommend wines that match what you actually drink, not what the menu pushes. If you've bought wine during the tour, you can leave it at your hotel and pick it up the next day. Sunset tours typically visit three wineries plus Old Mission Distillery, where the pours are strong and the mixed drinks are the draw. Day tours stick to four wineries. The operator can coordinate with the wineries in advance if you're marking a special occasion.

What’s included

• Wine tastings at four wineries.
• luxury Cadillac Escalade transportation.
• local expert guide.
• pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City.
• complimentary bottle of champagne.
• wine flights, glasses, bottles and food available for purchase at each stop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour option for 2 to 4 peopleUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Pickup is included

Tour option for 5 to 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 2–4 person option if you're proposing or celebrating with a partner or small group and want the moment to feel intimate. The 5–6 person option works for a friend group or family gathering where the shared experience and the guide's recommendations matter more than privacy. Either way, you're not on a party bus. The Escalade holds only your group, the guide is a local wine expert, and the route bends to what you actually want to taste.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What wineries does the Old Mission Peninsula wine tour visit?

The tour stops at four wineries chosen from Peninsula Cellars, Chateau Grand Traverse, Mari Vineyards, Hawthorne Vineyards, Bry's Estates, Chateau Chantal, Bonobo Winery and Bowers Harbor Vineyards. You can request specific venues or let your guide recommend based on what you're looking for. Availability and season affect which ones are included on any given day.

Can I propose during the wine tour?

Yes. The operator coordinates proposal moments with the wineries in advance. Hawthorne Vineyards has an outdoor patio with a fireplace and dual bay views. Bonobo Winery celebrates proposals with champagne and applause from the deck. Book the tour and contact the operator about your proposal plans so they can arrange the right venue and timing.

What's included in the price of the tour?

The tour includes wine tastings at four wineries, transportation in a private Cadillac Escalade, a local expert guide, pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City, and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Wine flights, glasses, bottles, food and charcuterie boards are available for purchase at each winery.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs approximately 4.5 hours, including travel time between the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula. Sunset tours typically visit three wineries and the distillery. Day tours visit four wineries.

Do I have to decide which wineries to visit before I book?

No. You can request specific wineries when you book, or tell your guide on the day what you're in the mood for (the best reds, a secluded spot, outdoor seating), and they'll route the tour accordingly. If you're unsure, the guide will recommend based on the season and what's available.

Is the tour suitable for someone who doesn't drink much wine?

Yes. Wine tastings are offered as splashes or full pours, so you control how much you taste. The wineries also serve non-alcoholic options like frozen drinks and soft beverages, and the outdoor settings and bay views are the draw for many guests regardless of what they're drinking.