Traverse City: Old Mission Wine Tour by SUV & 4 Wineries

Summary

Traverse City wine tastings with local stories and bay views

You’ll ride in a luxury SUV from downtown Traverse City with a local guide who actually knows wine—and cares if you’re having fun. Taste flights at four different Old Mission wineries (think Froze’ at Brys Estates or rare ice wine at Chateau Chantal), soak up bay views, swap stories with new friends, and end up smelling faintly of lavender soap and lake breeze.

What’s the experience like?

We started our Traverse City wine tour right in the middle of downtown—no bus crowds, just us sliding into a big black SUV. Mike was driving (yes, that Magic Mike), and he’s got this way of making you feel like you’re both on a road trip and sneaking into some secret club. He asked what kind of wines we liked before even pulling out. I said “anything dry,” but honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from Michigan wine. The air smelled like lake water and sunscreen as we headed up Old Mission Peninsula, windows cracked just enough to catch it.

The first stop was Hawthorne Vineyards—tucked so far back I thought we’d missed it. There was this hush when we stepped onto the patio; you could hear wind in the trees and nothing else. Mike pointed out both East and West Grand Traverse Bays below us—he said on clear days you can see forever (it wasn’t totally clear, but close). We tried a flight: the Dry Riesling surprised me, sharp but not sour. My friend tried to pronounce “Auxerrois” and butchered it—Mike laughed so hard he nearly dropped his keys.

After that, everything blurred a little (in a good way). At Bonobo Winery, someone behind the bar poured us BDX red and told us about the Oosterhouse brothers starting the place—it felt friendly, not rehearsed. The charcuterie board came out with pickles that tasted like summer camp snacks. At Brys Estates, people were lining up for Froze’—frozen rosé with a red topper—which sounds silly but honestly? It hit different after sitting in the sun all afternoon. There were lavender soaps everywhere inside; I still think about that smell.

Chateau Chantal was last for us—a hilltop view that made me wish I’d brought a better camera. Mike told us about their ice wine being served at some White House dinner years ago. We tried it (tiny pour, big price) and yeah… sweet as honey but somehow not heavy. By then we were all swapping stories with another couple from Detroit who’d joined our group—felt less like strangers than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traverse City Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour

• Get picked up in Downtown Traverse City
• Drive along East Bay shoreline
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Sample wines and enjoy bay views
• Drive with views of West Bay
• Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyards tasting room
• Sample wines and relax on patio
• Visit Bonobo Winery tasting room
• Sample wines and try charcuterie board
• Visit Brys Estates tasting room
• Try Froze' drink and shop lavender products
• Return to Downtown Traverse City drop-off

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Traverse City wine tour?

The standard day trip visits 4 wineries on Old Mission Peninsula; sunset tours usually include 3 wineries plus an optional distillery stop.

Is transportation included or do I need to drive?

Transportation is included—you’ll ride in a luxury SUV driven by your guide, with pickup in downtown Traverse City.

What kind of vehicle is used for the tour?

The tour uses luxury SUVs such as GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban or Cadillac Escalade—not buses or mini-SUVs.

Can we choose which wineries to visit?

You can suggest preferred wineries; final stops depend on availability, weather, season, and group preference—tours are flexible.

Are food options available during the wine tour?

Some wineries offer food options like charcuterie boards or snack packs; food is available for purchase at select stops.

Is this Traverse City wine tour private?

Tours are semi-private; groups of 6 or more usually have their own vehicle and can customize stops.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

The main pickup is in downtown Traverse City; drop-off at local hotels/motels may be possible after your wine tour.

What wines are featured on this Old Mission Peninsula tour?

You’ll taste various reds and whites: Dry Riesling, Auxerrois, Merlot/Cab Franc blends, Froze’, BDX red blend, Pinot Noir Riesling blend, ice wine and more depending on winery selection.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from downtown Traverse City in a luxury SUV driven by an expert local guide (sometimes Magic Mike himself), splashes or samples at each winery (flights and bottles extra), flexibility to suggest your favorite stops along Old Mission Peninsula’s top vineyards like Hawthorne Vineyards or Chateau Chantal—and if your group’s big enough, maybe even your own private ride home after tasting Michigan’s best reds and whites together.