Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour: Private Luxury SUV, No Bus
Four wineries in a luxury SUV instead of a crowded shuttle.
A private wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City in a spacious GMC Yukon or Suburban with a local expert guide—you choose which wineries to visit and how long to stay at each one. The tour runs about four and a half hours and includes wine samples at up to four wineries; food, bottles and flights are available for purchase. Groups of 1–4 travel in their own vehicle, or groups of 5–7 may share one with another couple.
4h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour
- Book private VIP wine tour
- Enjoy views of East and West Grand Traverse Bays
- Visit Hawthorne Vineyards for wine tasting
- Drive along shoreline with bay views
- Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyards for wine tasting
- Visit Chateau Chantel for wine tasting
- Visit Brys Estates for wine tasting
- Visit Bonobo Winery for wine tasting
The Experience
The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel or a meeting point in Traverse City, then heads straight to Old Mission Peninsula. On the drive, you'll see the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay—the bays stay warmer in fall, which extends the growing season, and cool in spring to prevent frost damage. This microclimate is why the peninsula produces such a range of wines. Your guide, a local college graduate and wine enthusiast, will explain the region as you travel along the shoreline.
You visit four wineries on the standard tour, though the exact stops depend on your preferences, the season and what's open that day. Hawthorne Vineyards sits on a high bluff with views of both bays and an outdoor fireplace; you can taste reds like Merlot or whites like Dry Riesling. Bowers Harbor Vineyards, established in 1991 on a former horse farm, is known for its Pinot Secco bubbly and often has dogs on the property. Chateau Chantal sits at one of the highest points on the peninsula and carries rare Ice Wine that was served at a White House dinner. Brys Estates is one of Michigan's top ten wineries and famous for the Froze', a frozen wine drink. You can also visit Bonobo Winery, founded by brothers and Traverse City natives, where you can sample whiskey alongside wines and order a charcuterie board. The guide will suggest which stops fit your tastes, or you can name your favorites ahead of time.
The vehicle is a full-size GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban—not a cramped SUV or party bus. It's air-conditioned, and the driver handles all navigation so you can focus on the wine and the views. Wine samples and splashes are included; if you want to buy a full flight, a glass or a bottle, you can do that at each winery. If you'd rather skip a winery and head downtown for dinner instead, the guide can adjust the itinerary. Afternoon or sunset tours visit three wineries plus an optional distillery stop.
What’s included
- Wine samples at up to four wineries.
- air-conditioned luxury SUV (GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban).
- expert local guide who handles navigation and wine recommendations.
- the ability to customize stops based on your preferences and the season.
Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours
Is this one for you?Book the 1–4 person option if you're a couple or small group who want your own vehicle and don't want to share the ride. Choose the 5–7 person option if you're comfortable with another couple in the same SUV and want to split the cost—either way, you set the pace and pick the wineries, which is what separates this from a fixed-route shuttle tour.
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Top questions
Can I choose which wineries I want to visit on the Old Mission Peninsula tour?
Yes. Let your guide know your favorites or preferences when you book, and the stops are set around your choices, availability and the season. If you want to skip a winery and spend extra time at another, or head into town for dinner instead, the guide can reroute the tour.
What's the microclimate on Old Mission Peninsula and why does it matter for wine?
The East and West bays of Grand Traverse Bay surround the peninsula and create a unique microclimate. In fall, the bays stay warmer and extend the growing season; in spring, they stay cool and prevent frost damage that would kill the vines. This allows local vineyards to grow a wide range of grapes and produce wines from Riesling and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Is the tour on a party bus or shuttle with other groups?
No. Groups of 1–4 get their own GMC Yukon or Suburban. Groups of 5–7 may share a vehicle with another couple, but it's not a party bus or crowded shuttle. The vehicle is air-conditioned and spacious, and your guide handles the driving.
What's included in the wine tour price, and what costs extra?
Wine samples and splashes at the wineries are included. Flights (a set of smaller pours), full glasses, bottles, charcuterie boards, snack packs and other food are available for purchase at each winery.
How long does the tour take?
The standard tour is about four and a half hours. Afternoon or sunset tours visit three wineries and an optional distillery and run a similar length.
Who are the guides, and what's their background?
Guides are local wine enthusiasts and experts—college graduates from universities in Michigan like UofM, MSU, EMU, GVSU and CMU. The company is owned and operated by former and current law enforcement, and guides are trained in wine knowledge, not just driving.
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour: Private Luxury SUV, No Bus
4h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 349 per group
★★★★★★★★★★5.005 reviews
