Champagne Wine Tour Traverse City: 4 Wineries, No Party Bus

Four wineries, Champagne Méthode, and a driver who knows every pour.

A Champagne and bubbly wine tour in Traverse City visiting four wineries in a luxury SUV with expert local guides and downtown pickup. The tour runs 4.5 hours with morning (10:30 AM) and afternoon/sunset (3:30 PM) departures. Wine samples are included, and groups of six or more receive a complimentary bottle. You choose between a shared public tour, a private vehicle, or a group public option at checkout.

The experience

The tour leaves Hardy Street Parking Structure at either 10:30 AM or 3:30 PM, arriving at the first winery by 11 AM on the morning run. Early enough to beat the buses. You'll ride in a luxury GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban (no party bus, no loud crowds) with a local guide who knows the wineries and the wines. The four stops rotate through Traverse City's roster: Hawthorne, Bowers, Chateau Chantal, and Bonobo, where you'll taste Champagne Méthode, Pinot Secco, bubbly flights, and house favorites like the Brut Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs. Wine samples are part of the tour. Bottles and food are separate purchases.

Your guide is a trained wine enthusiast. The owner is a UofM graduate and former law enforcement, and the staff includes graduates from MSU, GVSU, and EMU. They make real recommendations instead of just shuttling you between tasting rooms. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and if your group hits six people, you'll leave with a complimentary bottle of wine (Gamay or Secco, depending on what's available that day). The whole experience runs about four and a half hours, so you're back in downtown Traverse City with time left in the afternoon or evening.

You can book as a couple joining other wine lovers in a shared public tour, reserve a private vehicle for your group alone, or book the group public option if you're bringing six or more people. Pickup and drop-off happen in downtown Traverse City, and the tour is built for anyone 21 and older who wants to taste without driving.

What’s included

• Wine samples at four wineries.
• luxury SUV transportation with air conditioning.
• expert local guide.
• downtown Traverse City pickup and drop-off.
• complimentary bottle of wine for groups of six or more.

Options for this experience

3 options

Public luxury SUV option, groupUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00

Public luxury SUV tour, join-in optionUp to 5 people · Guide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 16:00

Luxury SUV tour, private optionUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Private VIP tour, private experience, luxury SUV

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

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the shared tour to meet other wine enthusiasts and split costs, or book private if your group wants the vehicle and guide's full attention.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What wines will I actually taste on the Traverse City Champagne tour?

The tour visits four wineries where you'll sample Champagne Méthode, Pinot Secco, and bubbly selections including the Soiree at Hawthorne, the Tonight Bubbly at Chateau Chantal, and house favorites like Brut Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé Bubbly at Bonobo. Wine samples are included. Bottles are extra.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation, or is the driver included?

The driver is included. You're picked up at Hardy Street Parking Structure in downtown Traverse City and dropped off there after the tour, so you don't drive between wineries.

What time does the tour start, and how long does it take?

Morning tours depart at 10:30 AM and arrive at the first winery by 11 AM. Afternoon and sunset tours leave at 3:30 PM. The full experience runs about four and a half hours.

What's the difference between the public tour, private tour, and group public option?

The public luxury SUV tour combines couples and small groups in a shared vehicle; the private option books the entire SUV for your party alone; the group public option is for groups of six or more who want to ride together in a shared vehicle. You choose which one suits your group at checkout.

Do groups get anything extra?

Groups of six or more receive a complimentary bottle of wine (Gamay or Secco, depending on availability) to take home after the tour.

Is this tour suitable for someone who has never done a wine tasting before?

Yes, the guides are wine enthusiasts and experts who make real recommendations, so they'll walk you through the tasting process and explain what you're drinking instead of just moving you through the stops.