Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour: 3 Wineries at Sunset

Three wineries, one evening, no driving

A 4-hour sunset wine tour on Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City stops at three of Michigan's highest-rated wineries, with a limo-style bus, air-conditioned cabin and local guide included. You pay for tastings at each winery (typically $5–$28 per tasting flight or glass), and the driver handles the winding country roads while you watch the light change over the bay. Minimum age is 21. Gratuity of 15–20% for the driver is recommended.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Sunset Wine Tour

• Depart Traverse City by shuttle
• Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyard
• Wine tasting and snacks at Bowers Harbor
• Visit Chateau Chantal winery
• Enjoy views of Grand Traverse Bays
• Wine tasting at Chateau Chantal
• Visit third winery on Old Mission Peninsula
• Wine tasting at third winery
• Return to Traverse City

The experience

Old Mission Peninsula sits on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as Europe's most famous wine regions. The combination of Grand Traverse Bay's micro-climates, fertile soil and the angle of the sun creates conditions that rival California and centuries-old European vineyards. The tour departs at 5:30pm Sunday through Friday, or 4:30pm on Saturdays, and runs for four hours. You board a premium limo-style bus with air conditioning and settle in while the driver navigates the gentle slopes and winding country roads: no navigation, no parking stress, no decisions about who stays sober.

The route hits three wineries, though which three depends on availability. On weekdays the stops typically run Hawthorne Vineyards or Chateau Chantal Winery first, then Bonobo Winery, then Old Mission Distilling. Chateau Chantal overlooks rolling vineyards and both Grand Traverse Bays from a 65-acre estate. Bowers Harbor started as a horse farm and now has 27 years of wine-making experience across 20 acres of vines. At each stop you order wine flights or glasses individually: tastings run $5 to $28 depending on the winery and what you choose. Most wineries offer outdoor seating only, so dress for the temperature. The bus carries a Yeti-style cooler for your use, and you're welcome to pack a lunch since most wineries serve only small appetizers and snacks.

The tour is public, not private, and the driver is a local guide who speaks English. A few logistics matter: parking at the pickup location is first-come, first-served (10–15 spots available); most wineries now offer flights and wine by the glass rather than full tastings since Covid; some wineries take card payment only, not cash; and the operator recommends using Uber, Lyft or a taxi to reach the pickup point and return home afterward. Wineries are subject to change based on availability, and while the operator contacts wineries ahead of time, these are not reservations. You may still encounter wait times.

What’s included

• Transportation in a premium limo-style air-conditioned bus.
• a local English-speaking guide.
• a Yeti-style cooler for your use during the tour.
• stops at three wineries on Old Mission Peninsula.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs Monday to Saturday at 17:30 and 16:30, from US$ 74 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Friday: 17:30Saturday: 16:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.6 with pickup ›

Book up to3h before

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

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Magic Shuttle Bus

Is this one for you?Book this tour for a free evening in Traverse City when you want to taste wines from the 45th parallel without driving or coordinating between stops. The bus handles the winding roads and the timing, and you choose what to taste at each winery.

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Top questions

What's included in the 4-hour tour price?

The tour includes transportation in a limo-style air-conditioned bus, a local English-speaking guide, and a Yeti cooler for your use. Wine tastings and flights are not included and are purchased separately at each winery, typically ranging from $5 to $28 per tasting depending on the stop.

Which wineries will we visit on the sunset tour?

The tour stops at three wineries, though the exact three depend on availability. On weekdays, the typical route is Hawthorne Vineyards or Chateau Chantal Winery, then Bonobo Winery, then Old Mission Distilling. Chateau Chantal overlooks both Grand Traverse Bays from a 65-acre estate, while Bowers Harbor has 20 acres of vines and over 27 years of wine-making experience.

What time does the tour start and end?

Sunday through Friday, the tour runs from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. On Saturdays, it departs at 4:30pm and returns at 8:30pm. The entire experience is four hours.

Do I need to arrange a ride to the pickup location?

Yes. The operator recommends using Uber, Lyft or a taxi to reach the pickup point and for your return trip home. Parking at the pickup location is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with 10–15 spots allotted for Magic Shuttle Bus customers.

Can I bring my own food on the tour?

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

What's the minimum age for this tour?

You must be at least 21 years old to participate in the sunset wine tour.