Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour in Traverse City
Ride the shoreline between two bays and taste what made Traverse City a wine region.
A wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula in a Cadillac Escalade, not a party bus, with stops at 4 wineries chosen by you and your guide. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours from downtown Traverse City pickup, includes wine samples at each stop, and pairs the tasting with views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bays. Groups of couples ride together; groups of 6 or more get their own vehicle. Minimum age 21.
4h–5h
Step-by-step itinerary
Traverse Old Mission Peninsula wineries
- Pickup in downtown Traverse City
- Visit Hawthorne Vineyards with bay views
- Tour Chateau Chantal and taste Ice Wine
- Stop at Brys Estates and try the Froze'
- Explore Bonobo Winery and sample wines
- Enjoy views of Grand Traverse Bay during drive
- Visit Bowers Harbor Vineyards, the dog winery
- Return to downtown Traverse City
The Experience
The Cadillac Escalade leaves downtown Traverse City and heads straight to Old Mission Peninsula, a narrow strip of land that splits Grand Traverse Bay into two arms. The drive itself is part of the tour—you'll see the shoreline at times, water on both sides, and the vineyard landscape that turned this region into one of America's premier wine destinations. The guide is a local wine expert, often a University of Michigan or Michigan State graduate who knows the wineries and can steer you toward what you actually want to taste.
Four stops are the standard. Hawthorne Vineyards sits on a high bluff with views of both bays from the tasting room and an outdoor patio with a fireplace. Brys Estates is one of Michigan's top ten most popular wineries, known for a frozen wine drink called the Froze and a rare Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Chantal overlooks both bay arms from one of the peninsula's highest points and is the only winery on the tour where you can buy Ice Wine—the rare kind that was served at a White House dinner. Bonobo Winery, founded by Traverse City brothers, has an expert-level wine list and a Hollywood feel. The guide knows the inventory at each stop and can recommend reds like Merlot or Cab Franc blends, whites like Auxerrois or Dry Riesling, or frozen drinks if that's your preference. Wine samples are included; flights, bottles, glasses and food are available for extra cost at each location.
The vehicle matters here. A Cadillac Escalade holds small groups comfortably and keeps the focus on the wine and the guide, not on party-bus noise. Couples and small groups ride together; groups of 6 or more get their own vehicle (a GMC Yukon joins if needed). Every group gets a complimentary bottle of wine at the end, depending on availability. The tour is semi-private—you may share the vehicle with another couple or small group, but the itinerary is flexible. Tell the guide which wineries are on your wish list and they'll work them in if the winery is open and the timing works. Sunset and afternoon tours visit 3 wineries plus an optional stop at Old Mission Distillers, known for strong pours and unique mixed drinks.
What’s included
- Wine samples at each of the 4 stops.
- pickup and drop-off in downtown Traverse City or select hotels.
- a complimentary bottle of wine at the end of the tour.
- an air-conditioned Cadillac Escalade or GMC Yukon.
- a local wine expert guide who knows Old Mission Peninsula and can adjust the itinerary to your preferences.
Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours
Is this one for you?Choose the private Escalade if your group wants the full vehicle and the guide's attention to yourselves. Join the public tour if you're comfortable sharing the ride with another couple or small group—it costs less and the experience is the same. Groups of 6 or more automatically get their own vehicle, so the size of your party decides which option makes sense.
Traveler reviews
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Top questions
What wineries are on the Old Mission Peninsula tour?
The standard tour visits 4 of these locations: Hawthorne Vineyards, Brys Estates, Chateau Chantal, Bonobo Winery, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Chateau Grand Traverse, Peninsula Cellars, or Old Mission Distillers. Your guide can adjust the stops based on what you want to taste, weather, and which wineries are open that day.
Are food and wine flights included in the tour price?
Wine samples are included at each stop. Flights, bottles, glasses by the glass, charcuterie boards, snack packs and other food are available for purchase at the wineries during the tour.
What's the difference between the private and group tour options?
The private Escalade tour is your own vehicle for your group. The join-in public tour combines couples and small groups in one Escalade. The group public option is for larger parties that need multiple vehicles. All include the same 4 stops, guide and wine samples; the difference is who else is riding with you.
How long is the tour and when does it start?
The tour runs 4 to 5 hours. Pickup is in downtown Traverse City or at some hotels. Day tours visit 4 wineries; sunset and afternoon tours visit 3 wineries plus an optional distillery stop.
What makes the bay views part of this tour?
Old Mission Peninsula divides Grand Traverse Bay into East and West arms. The drive between wineries runs along the shoreline, so you see water and vineyard landscape on both the way out and between stops. Hawthorne and Chateau Chantal both have tasting rooms with views of both bays.
Is there a minimum age for this wine tour?
Yes, the minimum age is 21. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it is suitable for all other fitness levels.
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour in Traverse City
4h–5h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 69 per person
★★★★★★★★★★5.0022 reviews
