THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Skip the crowded shuttle and take a semi-private, luxury SUV wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula. Visit four top wineries, sip regional Rieslings and Pinots, and soak in sweeping Grand Traverse Bay views on a 4–5 hour curated tasting route.
Skip the crowded shuttle and take a semi-private, luxury SUV wine tour of Old Mission Peninsula. Visit four top wineries, sip regional Rieslings and Pinots, and soak in sweeping Grand Traverse Bay views on a 4–5 hour curated tasting route.
A late-morning drive up Old Mission Peninsula feels cinematic: the road curves between vine rows that slope down toward two arms of Grand Traverse Bay, the water daring you to look away from the tasting glass. The tour puts guests in luxury SUVs rather than an old school bus — a small, semi-private procession of comfortable seats, chilled air, and expert guides who move at the pace of the group.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours · Traverse City, Michigan
A late-morning drive up Old Mission Peninsula feels cinematic: the road curves between vine rows that slope down toward two arms of Grand Traverse Bay, the water daring you to look away from the tasting glass. The tour puts guests in luxury SUVs rather than an old school bus — a small, semi-private procession of comfortable seats, chilled air, and expert guides who move at the pace of the group.
Old Mission Peninsula has a short, clear history as a wine region that grew from fruit farms to vinifera plantings in the late 20th century. Geologically the peninsula is glacial—rolling moraines and well-drained slopes that warm early and give Riesling, Pinot, and Chardonnay a concise northern acidity. The local culture blends small-farm hospitality with hands-on winemaking; many tasting rooms are family-run and proud of the craft.
On a typical 4- to 5-hour tour guests sample at four wineries—options include Hawthorne, Brys Estates, Chateau Chantal, Bonobo, Bowers Harbor—each stop offering a different tasting format, views, and small bites. Guides often recommend flights and can suggest bottles to take home; groups of six or more usually get private vehicles and flexible stops. Expect short walks around tasting rooms, vineyard overlooks for photos, and time to purchase bottles or join wine clubs.
Practical guidance: bring a valid ID, comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces, and a water bottle to stay hydrated between tastings. Tours pick up in downtown Traverse City; summer afternoons fill fast, so book in advance for sunset runs. Pace yourself—alternate sips with water and enjoy the landscape as much as the wine.
easy.
4–5 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short, easy walks and standing during tastings
Pickup is generally in downtown Traverse City at designated points; guides can often drop guests at local hotels afterward.
Yes—standard tours visit four wineries but guides accommodate guest preferences and larger private groups often choose specific stops.
Sampling is available during the tour; flights, bottles, and food are usually extra and paid directly to the wineries.
Yes—non-drinkers can enjoy the scenery and food options; children and minors must remain supervised and tastings are restricted to adults with ID.
Old Mission Peninsula evolved from 19th-century fruit orchards to a noted wine region in the late 20th century; the peninsula divides Grand Traverse Bay into East and West arms.
Many wineries practice small-scale sustainable farming and water-conscious vineyard management; stay on paths to avoid soil compaction and respect private agricultural property.
Movie Stars Wine Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A late-morning drive up Old Mission Peninsula feels cinematic: the road curves between vine rows that slope down toward two arms of Grand Traverse Bay, the water daring you to look away from the tasting glass. The tour puts guests in luxury SUVs rather than an old school bus — a small, semi-private procession of comfortable seats, chilled air, and expert guides who move at the pace of the group.
A late-morning drive up Old Mission Peninsula feels cinematic: the road curves between vine rows that slope down toward two arms of Grand Traverse Bay, the water daring you to look away from the tasting glass. The tour puts guests in luxury SUVs rather than an old school bus — a small, semi-private procession of comfortable seats, chilled air, and expert guides who move at the pace of the group.
Old Mission Peninsula has a short, clear history as a wine region that grew from fruit farms to vinifera plantings in the late 20th century. Geologically the peninsula is glacial—rolling moraines and well-drained slopes that warm early and give Riesling, Pinot, and Chardonnay a concise northern acidity. The local culture blends small-farm hospitality with hands-on winemaking; many tasting rooms are family-run and proud of the craft.
On a typical 4- to 5-hour tour guests sample at four wineries—options include Hawthorne, Brys Estates, Chateau Chantal, Bonobo, Bowers Harbor—each stop offering a different tasting format, views, and small bites. Guides often recommend flights and can suggest bottles to take home; groups of six or more usually get private vehicles and flexible stops. Expect short walks around tasting rooms, vineyard overlooks for photos, and time to purchase bottles or join wine clubs.
Practical guidance: bring a valid ID, comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces, and a water bottle to stay hydrated between tastings. Tours pick up in downtown Traverse City; summer afternoons fill fast, so book in advance for sunset runs. Pace yourself—alternate sips with water and enjoy the landscape as much as the wine.