Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries in a Luxury SUV

Four wineries, two Grand Traverse Bays, one luxury SUV

A wine tour of Traverse City's Old Mission Peninsula stops at four wineries in a luxury GMC Yukon or Suburban, with pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City. Wine samples are included. Tastings, flights, bottles and food are available for purchase at each winery. Tours run 4 to 5 hours depending on the group's pace, and groups of six or more ride in their own vehicle and receive a complimentary bottle of wine. Expert local guides lead the tour and can customize stops based on availability and preference.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Wine Tour Experience

• Pickup in downtown Traverse City
• Drive along East Bay shoreline
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards tasting room
• Drive with views of West Bay
• Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyards tasting room
• Visit Brys Estates winery and lawn bar
• Visit Bonobo Winery for wine and snacks
• Visit Chateau Chantal tasting room
• Drop off in downtown Traverse City

The experience

The day starts with pickup in downtown Traverse City and a drive along the shoreline to Hawthorne Vineyards, where the tasting room sits on a high bluff overlooking both East and West Grand Traverse Bays. No traffic, no neighbors. Just vineyard, woods and water. From there the route moves between Bowers Harbor, Chateau Chantal, Brys Estates, and Bonobo Winery, each stop chosen for its wines and views. The vehicle stays air-conditioned between tastings, and the guide handles the route so the group can focus on what's in the glass.

Each winery offers different wines to sample. Hawthorne pours Merlot and Cab Franc blends for red drinkers, Auxerrois and Dry Riesling for white. Chateau Chantal sits atop one of the peninsula's highest points and is the only stop where you can buy Ice Wine (the rare variety served at a White House dinner during President Obama's tenure), or a glass of Brandy or Malbec. Brys Estates is known for the Froze', a frozen wine drink, and the only Sauvignon Blanc on Old Mission Peninsula. Bonobo Winery, founded by Traverse City brothers, pours expert-level reds like BDX and Pinot Noir, plus the only whiskey available on the tour. Bowers Harbor, established in 1991, specializes in Pinot Secco and Pinot Secco Rosé. Wine flights, glasses and bottles are available for purchase. Food like charcuterie boards, popcorn flights and fried goat cheese depend on availability at each location.

The guide is a wine expert and local (often a University of Michigan, Michigan State or Eastern Michigan graduate), who knows the peninsula's wineries and can adjust the itinerary based on what's open, weather and the group's interests. Groups of six or more get their own vehicle and a complimentary bottle of wine. Smaller groups may share a Yukon with other couples, keeping the tour semi-private. After the wine tour, you can drop off at local hotels or head downtown to explore and pick up any wine you bought the next day.

What’s included

• Wine samples at four wineries.
• luxury GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban (air-conditioned, non-party-bus vehicle).
• expert local wine 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

Group public luxury SUV optionUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00

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

Private luxury SUV tour optionUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Private GMC Yukon

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 pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 with heart problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the semi-private option if you're a couple or small group who want expert wine guidance and bay views without the party-bus crowd. Choose the private vehicle if your group is six or more and you want to set your own pace and customize which wineries you visit.

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Top questions

What wineries does the Traverse City wine tour visit?

The tour stops at four wineries chosen from a list that includes Hawthorne Vineyards, Bowers Harbor, Chateau Chantal, Brys Estates, Bonobo Winery, Mari Vineyards, Chateau Grand Traverse, 2 Lads and Old Mission Distillery. The exact stops depend on availability, weather and time of year, and private groups can customize their itinerary.

Is food included in the wine tour price?

Wine samples are included, but tastings, flights, bottles, glasses and food are available for purchase at each winery. Charcuterie boards, popcorn flights, fried goat cheese and snack packs are offered depending on availability.

How long does the Traverse City wine tour take?

Tours run 4 to 5 hours depending on the pace of the group and how long you spend at each winery.

What happens if my group has six or more people?

Groups of six or more typically get their own luxury SUV and receive a complimentary bottle of wine, which varies by availability, usually Gamay, Secco or Gewürztraminer.

Can I customize the winery stops on the tour?

Private tour groups can usually customize their four-stop itinerary. Semi-private tours follow a set route, though the guide adjusts based on winery availability, weather and the group's preferences.

Where do I get picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are in downtown Traverse City. After the wine tour, the guide can usually drop you at local hotels or motels, or you can return downtown to explore and pick up wine you purchased the next day.