Trade the party bus for a semi-private VIP loop along Old Mission Peninsula. This guided SUV tour pairs cellar access at Chateau Chantal with secluded tasting-room views at Hawthorne and a curated tasting experience across three wineries.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A late-morning sun lifts off Grand Traverse Bay and the tour’s GMC Yukon eases onto Old Mission Peninsula, windows down, lake coolness nudging the group awake.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4–5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short periods of standing and light walking through tasting rooms and cellars.
Wildlife
History
Old Mission Peninsula’s wine history centers on mid-20th-century plantings that proved cool-climate grapes like Riesling could thrive, shaping the region’s modern wine identity.
Conservation
Many wineries on the peninsula follow sustainable practices like cover cropping and careful irrigation to protect soil health and the bay’s water quality.
Reserve your spot on the NON BUS VIP Chateau Chantal / Hawthorne Traverse City Wine Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring a photo ID
Tastings require proof of age; keep a physical or mobile government ID handy at pickup and at each winery.
Budget for pours and food
Wine samples are included but full glasses, bottles and menu items are extra—plan a spending limit per person.
Dress in layers
Bay breezes can be cool on patios even on warm days; a light jacket makes outdoor tasting comfortable.
Plan transport for purchases
If you buy bottles, consider how they’ll be transported home—vehicles have limited refrigerated space in summer.
Government photo ID
Required for legal alcohol tastings at each winery.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated between tastings keeps palate clarity and helps counter alcohol effects.
summer
Layered jacket or windbreaker
Bay winds and lakeside patios can be cool even on sunny days.
spring
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive shoes make cellar steps and gravel tasting-room entrances easier to navigate.