Traverse City Red Wine Tour: Luxury SUV, No Party Bus

Four wineries, one afternoon, no loud bus full of strangers

A red wine tasting tour in Traverse City that picks you up downtown and drives you to four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in a climate-controlled luxury SUV with a local guide. You sample reds at Hawthorne, Bowers Harbor, Chateau Chantal, and Brys Estates or Bonobo, with wine flights and tastings included. Groups of six or more receive a complimentary bottle. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours depending on your group's pace, and you can customize stops if you book privately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Red Wine Tasting Tour

• Pickup at Hardy Street Parking
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Tour Bowers Harbor Vineyards and taste wines
• Stop at Chateau Chantal for wine sampling
• Enjoy wine tasting at Brys Estates
• Sample wines at Bonobo Winery
• Drop off in Downtown Traverse City

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at Hardy Street Parking Structure downtown, then heads out to Old Mission Peninsula in a GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, or Cadillac Escalade: air-conditioned and built for comfort, not for the noise and chaos of a party bus. Your guide is a local, often a University of Michigan or state school graduate, who knows the wineries and the wines. The route depends on availability and weather, but typically includes Hawthorne Vineyards on its high bluff overlooking both arms of Grand Traverse Bay, Chateau Chantal perched at one of the peninsula's highest points, and two other stops chosen from Bowers Harbor, Brys Estates, Bonobo, Mari, or 2 Lads.

At each winery you taste flights and samples: the Cab Franc at Hawthorne, the Naughty or Nice Red at Chateau Chantal, the Froze at Brys (a frozen wine drink that sells out), or the BDX and Pinot Noir at Bonobo. Wine by the glass, bottles, and food like charcuterie boards are available for purchase. Chateau Chantal is the only stop where you can buy a glass of brandy or Malbec on the peninsula. Bonobo is the only one serving whiskey. If you book a sunset tour, the itinerary usually includes three wineries plus Old Mission Distillery. Groups of six or more often get their own vehicle and can suggest which stops to visit.

The tour wraps in the late afternoon or early evening, and the driver can drop you at a local hotel or back downtown. If you've bought wine, you can pick it up the next day after exploring downtown Traverse City. Minimum age is 21.

What’s included

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

Options for this experience

3 options

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

Private luxury SUV tour optionUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Private VIP experience, not a bus tour, with a private SUV (GMC Yukon or Cadillac Escalade); pickup is included

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

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (21 to 98 years) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

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?Choose the semi-private option if you're a couple or small group comfortable sharing a vehicle with other wine lovers. Book private if your party has six or more and wants to set your own pace and pick your own four stops.

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Top questions

What red wines will I actually taste on this tour?

You'll sample Cab Franc at Hawthorne, a Merlot or Cab Franc blend at Bowers Harbor, the Naughty or Nice Red at Chateau Chantal, and at your fourth stop either the Froze (a frozen Pinot blend) and Sauvignon Blanc at Brys Estates or the BDX and Pinot Noir at Bonobo. Wine flights let you taste multiple selections at each winery, and you can buy additional glasses or bottles.

Do I have to book a private tour, or can I join a group?

You can join a semi-private group tour where the operator combines couples and smaller parties into one vehicle, or book a fully private SUV if your group has six or more people. Private groups can usually customize which four wineries you visit.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Wine samples and tastings are included. Wine flights, bottles, food, and drinks are extra purchases at each winery. Groups of six or more receive a complimentary bottle of wine (Gamay or Secco, depending on availability). Pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City are included.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours depending on how long your group spends at each winery and the pace you set. The driver can adjust the schedule to match your group's preferences.

What makes this different from other wine tours in Traverse City?

This tour uses luxury SUVs instead of party buses, which means a quieter, more comfortable ride and smaller groups. Your guide is a local with college education, and the operator is former law enforcement. You're not locked into a fixed itinerary: semi-private groups can suggest stops, and private groups can customize their four wineries.

Can I visit Chateau Chantal on this tour?

Chateau Chantal is one of the wineries on the tour's rotation and is often included, depending on availability and weather. It sits at one of the peninsula's highest points with views of both arms of Grand Traverse Bay, and it's the only winery on the tour where you can buy a glass of brandy or Malbec.