Traverse City: Old Mission Peninsula Wine & Distillery SUV Tour

Summary

Old Mission Peninsula’s wineries, distillery sips, sunset views and real Traverse City stories

You’ll ride in a cool SUV (no buses here), sip wines at iconic Old Mission Peninsula spots near Traverse City, laugh with local guides who know every vineyard story, taste spirits at a new distillery if you want, and catch those late-day Michigan skies that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

Mike was already grinning when we slid into the Yukon — “You folks ready to roll?” he said, and it felt more like getting picked up by an old friend than starting a wine tour. He knew everyone at the first stop, Peninsula Cellars (it’s in this old red schoolhouse — I half expected to see chalk dust). The woman pouring our first splash told us about her grandma’s cherry orchard just down the road. I could smell the wood floors and that faint tartness you only get in Michigan wine country. Mike pointed out the window: “That’s where the peninsula really starts,” he said, and I believed him.

Somewhere between Chateau Grand Traverse and Mari Vineyards, time got fuzzy. We weren’t rushed — nobody hustling us back to a bus. At Mari, someone from another group asked about that Oak Island curse story (I’d never heard it). The guide just winked and poured another glass. Sun started slanting through the windows at Hawthorne Vineyards, lighting up all these bottles lined up like stained glass. I tried to pronounce one of the whites — Li behind the counter laughed and gave me a high-five for effort. The air smelled like fresh grass and cold stone when we stepped outside.

I didn’t expect to end up at a distillery but Old Mission Distilling had this wild energy — hip music, big pours, cocktails with names I couldn’t remember five minutes later. They let us try a mixed drink flight (I think there was basil in one?), and someone explained how they use grains from right here on the peninsula. It wasn’t fancy or stiff; people were just happy to talk about what they make. When we finally drove back toward Traverse City with that last bit of sun glinting off both bays, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in hours. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Old Mission Peninsula wine and distillery tour

• Pickup from downtown Traverse City
• Visit Peninsula Cellars and Old School House
• Tour Chateau Grand Traverse winery
• Explore Mari Vineyards and hear Oak Island story
• Stop at Hawthorne Vineyards with bay views
• Visit Bry's Estates winery
• See Chateau Chantal overlooking both bays
• Experience Bowers Harbor Vineyards
• Enjoy Hollywood feel at Bonobo Winery
• Visit Old Mission Distilling for drinks and tastings
• Return to downtown Traverse City

Top questions

How many wineries do we visit on this Old Mission wine tour?

You’ll visit three wineries plus an optional distillery for public tours; private groups can do up to four locations.

Is transportation included on this Traverse City wine tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included in luxury SUVs—no buses involved.

Are drinks or tastings included in the price?

Wine samples or splashes are available; full flights, bottles, food or mixed drinks are extra.

Can I choose which wineries we go to?

The tour is flexible—tell your guide your preferences or let them pick based on your tastes.

Is there air conditioning in the vehicles?

Yes—all vehicles have strong air conditioning for comfort during summer afternoons.

Are there private tour options?

You can book private or semi-private tours; small groups often get their own vehicle.

Does this day trip include stops at a distillery?

The standard sunset tour includes three wineries plus Old Mission Distilling as an option.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup and drop-off from downtown Traverse City in a luxury SUV with strong AC, guidance from local wine experts (often UofM or MSU grads), flexible stops at three or four iconic Old Mission Peninsula wineries (plus an optional distillery), and a complimentary bottle of wine for your group—just bring extra for tastings or food along the way before heading back as evening falls.