THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Trade a party-bus crowd for a semi-private luxury SUV wine experience exploring Leelanau Peninsula vineyards, with curated tastings at boutique wineries and a pizza finish at Long Lake. Learn soil, grape, and lake-effect stories while sipping small-production wines.
Trade a party-bus crowd for a semi-private luxury SUV wine experience exploring Leelanau Peninsula vineyards, with curated tastings at boutique wineries and a pizza finish at Long Lake. Learn soil, grape, and lake-effect stories while sipping small-production wines.
You step into a leather seat as the SUV eases away from downtown Traverse City, windows framing Lake Michigan’s bright rim as the road climbs into folded vineyards. The guides—local wine enthusiasts, not bus drivers—set the pace: three curated stops, stories about soil and grape, and a final slice at That’sa Pizza by Long Lake.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours · Traverse City, Michigan
You step into a leather seat as the SUV eases away from downtown Traverse City, windows framing Lake Michigan’s bright rim as the road climbs into folded vineyards. The guides—local wine enthusiasts, not bus drivers—set the pace: three curated stops, stories about soil and grape, and a final slice at That’sa Pizza by Long Lake.
Geology here is readable in the rows: glacial till and sandy loams left by retreating ice shape drainage and acidity, and Lake Michigan’s shallow shoreline breathes a cooling wind that lengthens the growing season. Leelanau’s wine culture blends small-batch craft with fruit-farm roots; many properties began as cherry orchards before planting vinifera adapted to northern conditions.
Expect a relaxed, education-forward tasting experience: boutique producers like Shady Lane offer Muscat and Blaufränkisch alongside wooded patios, while Rove’s hilltop perch delivers wide views and estate-focused blends. The tour is semi-private (typically under 12), runs about 4–5 hours, and leaves time to buy bottles or join a wine club.
Practical notes: bring government ID, pace pours, and hydrate between flights. Dress in layers—wind off the lake can turn brisk even on sunny afternoons—and wear shoes suited for gravel tasting rooms. Plan for purchases and tipping; tastings, bottles and food are extra. Book in advance for summer weekends and consider midday departures for gentler light and quieter patios.
easy.
4–5 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels since walking is light—short gravel paths and patios only.
No—tastings, bottles and food at That'sa Pizza are extra; the tour fee covers guided transportation and visits to the wineries.
Pick-up is in Traverse City with drop-off back at the meeting point or downtown Traverse City restaurants and bars as arranged.
The tour is listed as physically easy; however, vineyard patios and tasting rooms may have gravel, steps or uneven surfaces—notify the operator of any accessibility needs when booking.
Yes—most wineries sell bottles and sometimes ship; purchases can be made on-site, and guides will help store items in the vehicle for the day.
Leelanau Peninsula’s agricultural roots include cherry farming and later experimental plantings of vinifera; cold-hardy varieties and lake-moderated microclimates helped establish the modern wine scene.
Many Leelanau producers emphasize small-scale farming and soil stewardship; visitors can reduce impact by following on-site guidelines, taking only photos, and disposing of waste responsibly.
Movie Stars Wine Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step into a leather seat as the SUV eases away from downtown Traverse City, windows framing Lake Michigan’s bright rim as the road climbs into folded vineyards. The guides—local wine enthusiasts, not bus drivers—set the pace: three curated stops, stories about soil and grape, and a final slice at That’sa Pizza by Long Lake.
You step into a leather seat as the SUV eases away from downtown Traverse City, windows framing Lake Michigan’s bright rim as the road climbs into folded vineyards. The guides—local wine enthusiasts, not bus drivers—set the pace: three curated stops, stories about soil and grape, and a final slice at That’sa Pizza by Long Lake.
Geology here is readable in the rows: glacial till and sandy loams left by retreating ice shape drainage and acidity, and Lake Michigan’s shallow shoreline breathes a cooling wind that lengthens the growing season. Leelanau’s wine culture blends small-batch craft with fruit-farm roots; many properties began as cherry orchards before planting vinifera adapted to northern conditions.
Expect a relaxed, education-forward tasting experience: boutique producers like Shady Lane offer Muscat and Blaufränkisch alongside wooded patios, while Rove’s hilltop perch delivers wide views and estate-focused blends. The tour is semi-private (typically under 12), runs about 4–5 hours, and leaves time to buy bottles or join a wine club.
Practical notes: bring government ID, pace pours, and hydrate between flights. Dress in layers—wind off the lake can turn brisk even on sunny afternoons—and wear shoes suited for gravel tasting rooms. Plan for purchases and tipping; tastings, bottles and food are extra. Book in advance for summer weekends and consider midday departures for gentler light and quieter patios.