Private Wine Tour Traverse City: 4 Wineries, No Bus

Taste four wineries in a Yukon, not a party bus.

A private wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City for groups of 2–7 in a luxury GMC Yukon, with a local guide, wine tastings at four wineries, and complimentary bubbly. The tour runs roughly four hours and includes pickup and drop-off from downtown Traverse City. Food, wine flights and bottles are available for purchase at each stop. Groups of 5–7 travel together. Groups of 2–4 book separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour

• Pickup in downtown Traverse City
• Visit Hawthorne Vineyards and propose
• Tour and taste wines at Bonobo Winery
• Celebrate with drinks at Old Mission Distilling
• Drop-off at downtown Traverse City

The experience

The tour picks you up in downtown Traverse City and heads to Old Mission Peninsula, where the guide takes you to four wineries chosen based on the day's conditions and availability. You're tasting in a climate-controlled Yukon instead of herding onto a party bus, which means the pace stays yours: no rushing between stops, no crowd noise, no schedule that doesn't bend. Hawthorne Vineyards sits on a high bluff overlooking both East and West Grand Traverse Bays, with an outdoor patio and fireplace. Mari Vineyards and Bowers Harbor round out the first stops, each with their own selection of reds and whites. The guide (a local wine enthusiast, often a University of Michigan or regional college graduate) makes real recommendations instead of reading a script.

Tastings are included. Wine flights, glasses by the pour, bottles, charcuterie boards and popcorn flights are yours to buy. At Bonobo Winery, the final stop, you can sample a Blanc de Blancs, a top-shelf Pinot Noir, or even a glass of whiskey: the only winery on the peninsula that pours it. The complimentary bottle of bubbly arrives at the end, ready to take with you or open on the spot. If you're celebrating something specific, the operator coordinates with the wineries ahead of time. If you've bought wine to take home, you can drop it off and pick it up the next day after exploring downtown.

The whole route takes four to five hours depending on how long the group lingers at each tasting room. You're dropped back at your hotel or downtown Traverse City when it's done. The vehicle is air-conditioned, the driver handles all navigation, and the operator is veteran-owned and operated by former law enforcement. A detail that matters to some travelers.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from downtown Traverse City.
• wine tastings at four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula.
• complimentary bottle of bubbly.
• air-conditioned luxury GMC Yukon or Cadillac Escalade.
• local guide with wine expertise.
• wine flights, glasses, bottles and food available for purchase at each stop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour option for 2 to 4 peopleUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Pickup is included

Tour option for 5 to 7 peopleUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:00Pickup is 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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 2–4 person option if you're a couple or small group who want the intimacy of a private vehicle without splitting the cost across a larger party. Choose the 5–7 person option if you're traveling with friends or family and want to share the experience and the ride cost: the tour stays flexible either way, and the guide adjusts the pace to match your group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The tour stops at four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula, typically including Hawthorne Vineyards, Mari Vineyards, Bowers Harbor and Bonobo Winery. The exact lineup shifts based on availability, weather and the time of year, so the operator confirms the stops when you book.

What's included in the wine tastings?

Wine tastings and splashes are included. You can sample reds, whites and other pours at each stop. Wine flights, glasses by the bottle, full bottles, charcuterie boards and food are available for purchase. A complimentary bottle of bubbly comes at the end of the tour.

Can I customize the wineries or the route?

Private tour groups can usually customize their four-stop itinerary, and the operator coordinates with the wineries ahead of time if you have a specific plan: like a proposal or a celebration. Groups of six or more are typically private and can suggest stops.

Where does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup and drop-off happen in downtown Traverse City. The operator can usually arrange drop-off at local hotels or motels after the tour ends, and you can store wine you've purchased to pick up the next day if you want to explore downtown afterward.

Is this tour suitable for someone who doesn't drink much wine?

Yes. Tastings are small pours, and you control how much you sample at each stop. Bonobo Winery offers non-alcoholic options like frozen lemonades, and you're welcome to enjoy the views and the company without drinking heavily.

How long does the tour take?

The tour typically runs four to five hours, depending on how long your group spends at each winery. Travel time between stops is included in that duration.