Traverse City Wine Tour for First Responders: No Party Bus

Taste wines at four Traverse City wineries without the party bus crowd.

This is a wine tour in Traverse City, Michigan, run by former and current law enforcement, designed for first responders, military, and their families. You visit four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in a luxury SUV instead of a tour bus, with wine tastings led by an expert guide. Wine samples are included, though flights, bottles, and food cost extra. Groups of six or more typically get their own vehicle and can suggest which wineries to visit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Wine Tour Experience

• Get picked up in Downtown Traverse City
• Drive along East Bay shoreline
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Enjoy wine samples and views of both bays
• Drive to Bowers Harbor Vineyards
• Sample wines and relax at patio and fire pit
• Visit Chateau Chantal winery
• Taste Ice Wine and brandy samples
• Stop at Brys Estates winery
• Try the Froze' frozen wine drink
• Visit Bonobo Winery
• Sample red, white wines and whiskey
• Return to Downtown Traverse City drop-off

The experience

What makes this tour different is the vehicle and who runs it. Instead of a party bus, you ride in a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban: air-conditioned, comfortable, and driven by guides who are UofM or MSU graduates and wine enthusiasts. The tour is owned and operated by former law enforcement, which shapes everything from the pace to the stops. You get picked up and dropped off in downtown Traverse City, and the whole thing takes four to five hours depending on how the group moves through each winery.

The four wineries rotate based on availability and season, but the itinerary typically includes stops like Hawthorne Vineyards (perched on a bluff with views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bays), Chateau Chantal (home to rare Ice Wine that was served at a White House dinner), Brys Estates (known for the Froze', a frozen wine drink), and Bonobo Winery (the only place on the peninsula where you can sample whiskey). At each stop you taste wines (Rieslings, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and others), and can buy flights, glasses, or bottles if something catches your taste. Snack packs and charcuterie boards are available for purchase. The drive itself matters: you'll see the shoreline of Grand Traverse Bay, which is 32 miles long and divided by Old Mission Peninsula into East and West arms.

Groups of six or seven usually get their own vehicle and can suggest which wineries they want to visit. Smaller groups may be combined with others, but you're never on a crowded bus. Everyone gets a complimentary bottle of wine at the end (Gamay, Secco, or Gewürztraminer, depending on what's available). If you buy wine during the tour, you can pick it up the next day after exploring downtown Traverse City, so you don't have to carry it around for the rest of the afternoon.

What’s included

• Wine samples at each winery.
• pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City.
• a complimentary bottle of wine at the end of the tour.
• a luxury air-conditioned SUV instead of a party bus.
• an expert local guide.
• the option to customize your winery stops if you're in a private group.

Options for this experience

3 options

Public group luxury SUV optionUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Pickup is included

Shared luxury SUV tourUp to 5 people · Guide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Pickup is included

Private luxury SUV tour optionUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Non-bus private VIP experience: a private, luxurious wine tour in a first-class GMC Yukon or Cadillac Escalade, with pickup included

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

GroupUp to 12

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 7 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 effortPets welcomePublic 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 private SUV option if your group has six or more people and wants to pick which wineries to visit. The semi-private option works if you're a smaller group and prefer to share the cost while still avoiding a crowded bus. Either way, you're riding with people who understand why first responders need a break. The tour is built around that.

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Top questions

What wineries do we visit on this Traverse City wine tour?

The four wineries change based on availability and season, but typically include Hawthorne Vineyards, Chateau Chantal, Brys Estates, and Bonobo Winery. Private groups can request specific stops from a list that also includes Mari Vineyards, Bowers Harbor, Chateau Grand Traverse, 2 Lads, and Old Mission Distillery.

Is this tour private or will there be other groups?

Groups of six or more usually get their own luxury SUV and travel privately. Smaller groups may be combined with others on a semi-private basis, but you're never on a crowded party bus.

What's included in the price of the wine tour?

Wine samples and splashes are included, plus pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City and a complimentary bottle of wine at the end. Wine flights, bottles by the glass, and food (charcuterie boards, snack packs, fried goat cheese) cost extra at each winery.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs four to five hours depending on the pace of your group and how long you spend at each winery.

Who drives the tour and what vehicle do we ride in?

The tour is driven by local guides who are UofM or MSU graduates and wine experts. You ride in a luxury GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban with air conditioning, not a party bus.

Is there a minimum age for this wine tour?

Yes, you must be at least 21 years old to participate.