Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

Four wineries in five hours, with a driver handling the roads between them.

A 5-hour guided wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City visits four wineries (Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor, Brys Estate and Bonobo) with a local guide, premium shuttle bus and cooler for the day. Wine tastings are purchased individually at each stop. The tour is shared, not private, and a 20% gratuity for the driver is recommended.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Wine Tour on Old Mission Peninsula

• Travel to Chateau Chantal winery
• Enjoy wine tasting and views at Chateau Chantal
• Visit Bowers Harbor vineyard
• Taste wines and snacks at Bowers Harbor
• Proceed to Brys Estate winery
• Sample wines and enjoy East Bay views at Brys Estate
• Go to Bonobo winery
• Taste wines and snacks at Bonobo winery

The experience

The Magic Shuttle Bus picks up from a designated lot near Traverse City and handles the driving across Old Mission Peninsula for the full five hours, so you stay in an air-conditioned vehicle between tastings instead of navigating country roads yourself. The 45th parallel runs through this region, and the combination of sunlight, the micro-climates created by Grand Traverse Bay and fertile soil produces wines that compete with California and European producers. The tour has been nominated as a Top 20 Wine Tour in the Country by USA Today.

Each winery offers a different setup. Chateau Chantal sits atop one of the highest points on the peninsula with views of both arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Wine flights run $15 and pours $9–$14. Bowers Harbor, a former horse farm turned vineyard with 27 years of winemaking, offers flights around $22–$28 and glasses $8–$10. Brys Estate spans 91 acres with over 40,000 vines and East Bay views. Tastings are about $8 for a flight with a souvenir glass. Bonobo rounds out the four with a limited but high-quality selection. Flights are about $10 for six wines. Most wineries have outdoor seating, so dress for the weather. Small snacks, cheeses and charcuterie are available for purchase at each stop, though you're welcome to pack a lunch.

The tour is shared, meaning you'll travel with other wine drinkers on the same bus. A Yeti-style cooler is provided for the day. Wineries are subject to change based on availability, and the operator notes that tastings have shifted since COVID: most pour flights and wine by the glass rather than traditional tastings. Some wineries accept card only, so bring a payment method. The pickup and drop-off location is marked on the parking map in the listing images. The operator recommends using Uber, Lyft or a taxi to reach the pickup spot and for your return home.

What’s included

• Premium limo-style shuttle bus with air conditioning.
• local tour guide in English.
• Yeti-style cooler for the day.
• transportation between four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 12:00

Book up to3h before

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

GroupUp to 20

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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Magic Shuttle Bus

Is this one for you?You're traveling with a group and don't want to drive between tastings: the shuttle bus and guide handle the route and timing, so you focus on the wines and the views instead of the roads.

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Top questions

What's the difference between a wine flight and a glass pour at these wineries?

A flight is a tasting of multiple wines in smaller pours (typically five wines or the equivalent of 2.5 glasses), while a glass pour is a full serving of a single wine. Most Traverse City wineries now offer flights and glasses instead of traditional tastings, and you choose which to order at each stop.

Do I need to make a reservation at the wineries ahead of time?

The Magic Shuttle Bus will contact wineries if appointments are needed, but these are not reservations. They only allow the group to arrive at a desired time without guaranteeing no wait. Brys Estate operates on a first-come, first-serve basis at their outdoor lawn bar, and parking spots at the wineries are also first-come, first-serve.

What's included in the tour price and what do I pay for separately?

The tour includes the shuttle bus, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle and a cooler for the day. Wine tastings are not included. You pay for each flight or glass individually at the winery, ranging from $5 to $15 depending on the venue. Snacks, cheeses and charcuterie are also available for purchase.

Is this tour private or shared with other people?

This is a public, shared tour, so you'll travel with other wine drinkers on the same limo-style bus. The group size varies by departure.

What should I know about the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula?

Old Mission Peninsula is on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as famous wine regions in Europe and California. The peninsula's micro-climates, created by Grand Traverse Bay, and its fertile soil produce award-winning wines. Most wineries have outdoor seating only, so dress warmly on cooler days, and note that some accept card payments only.

Can I bring my own food on the tour?

Yes, you're welcome to pack a lunch for the day. Most wineries offer only small appetizers and snacks, not full meals, so bringing food is a practical option if you want a more substantial lunch.