Traverse City Wine Tour: 3 Wineries in a Luxury SUV

Taste three wineries without driving or waiting for a shuttle

A 4.5-hour wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula's three wineries (Chateau Chantal, Hawthorne and Bonobo) in a luxury GMC Yukon with a local guide and wine samples included. You'll visit Chateau Chantal atop the peninsula for its rare Ice Wine and views of both Grand Traverse Bays, then move to Hawthorne Vineyards on a high bluff overlooking the East and West arms, and finish at Bonobo. The tour skips party buses and cramped vans, keeping groups small and flexible so you can customize which wineries to visit and what wines to taste.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Wine Tour Experience

• Start at Chateau Chantal winery
• Guided cellar tour and wine tasting
• Purchase wine flights and Ice Wine samples
• Drive along Old Mission Peninsula shoreline
• Visit Chateau Grand Traverse winery
• Premium wine tasting and winery tour
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Sample reds and whites with bay views
• Enjoy outdoor patio and fireplace
• View East and West Grand Traverse Bays

The experience

Four and a half hours gets you through three wineries on Old Mission Peninsula, each one positioned for views of Grand Traverse Bay. Chateau Chantal sits at one of the highest points on the peninsula. The Ice Wine here was served at a White House dinner during the Obama administration, and it's the only winery on the peninsula where you can buy a glass of Malbec or Brandy. The drive itself is part of the tour: you'll travel along the shoreline and see both the East and West arms of the bay, which earned its name from 18th-century French voyageurs who called the crossing "la grande traverse."

Hawthorne Vineyards occupies the most secluded tasting room on the peninsula, built on a high bluff with an outdoor patio and fireplace overlooking both bays. The winemaker here is the same one behind Chateau Chantal, so you'll taste how the same expertise plays out across different vineyard sites. Red drinkers can sample a Merlot and Cab Franc blend. White drinkers try the Auxerrois or Dry Riesling. Bonobo rounds out the route with its own selection of reds and whites. Wine samples are included in the tour price. Flights, bottles, food and any wine you want to take home cost extra.

You travel in a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, not a party bus, not a cramped SUV. Groups of six or seven usually get their own vehicle. Couples are combined with other small parties. The guides are local University of Michigan and Michigan State graduates who know the region and the wines. Pickup is available from downtown Traverse City locations, and the tour is flexible: you can request different wineries or adjust the route to fit your group's interests. Minimum age is 21.

What’s included

• Wine samples at each winery.
• luxury GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban transportation.
• local expert guide.
• pickup from downtown Traverse City locations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and Saturday13 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:30

Book up to1d before

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

GroupPrivate

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 today

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?The tour is led in English by local guides who are wine enthusiasts and University of Michigan or Michigan State graduates, so the commentary is accessible whether you're new to wine or already know your Riesling from your Malbec. Groups stay small and semi-private, which means you get personalized attention without the noise of a party bus.

Top questions

What makes the microclimate on Old Mission Peninsula good for wine?

Grand Traverse Bay's East and West arms stay warmer in the fall, which extends the growing season, and then stay cool in spring to prevent frost damage. This cycle allows the local vineyards to produce a wide range of grapes suited to cooler climates, the same conditions that made Northern Michigan's first Riesling vines (planted at Chateau Grand Traverse in 1974) a success.

Can I customize which wineries I visit on this tour?

Yes. The tour typically includes Chateau Chantal, Hawthorne and Bonobo, but you can request different wineries or adjust the route when you book. The guide will work with your group's preferences.

What's special about Chateau Chantal's Ice Wine?

Chateau Chantal's Ice Wine is rare and was featured at a White House dinner during the Obama administration. It's one of the signature wines you can sample at the winery, and Chateau Chantal is the only winery on Old Mission Peninsula where you can also purchase a glass of Brandy or Malbec.

How are groups organized in the vehicle?

Groups of six or seven people usually travel in their own GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban. Smaller parties (couples and groups of two or three) are combined with other guests to fill the vehicle. This keeps the tour semi-private and flexible.

What does the drive between wineries show you?

The route takes you along the shoreline of Grand Traverse Bay, with views of both the East and West arms. On the drive to Hawthorne you'll see the East Bay. On the way to Bonobo you'll see the West Bay. The views of the water, Bowers Harbor and the surrounding landscape are a major part of the tour experience.