5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

Traverse City , United States

5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

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(2358 reviews)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Sit back and enjoy the gentle slopes, winding country roads and Caribbean-like views on a Traverse City Wine Tour. The Magic Shuttle Bus is a chauffeur service with an entire fleet ready to take your group around Old Mission Peninsula.

The 45th parallel, is home to the worlds most famous wine-making regions AND Traverse City. Grapevines planted in the region enjoy the perfect amount of sunlight for optimal growth. When coupled with micro-climates created by Grand Traverse Bay, and fertile soil, this sets the perfect stage for delicious award-winning wines that rival centuries-old grapes produced in Europe & California.

"We are proud to say that our Old Mission Wine Tour has been nominated as Top 20 Wine Tours in the Country by USA Today, and stands as our signature tour in Northern Michigan!"

**Wineries are subject to change based on availability**

***Gratuity of 20% for the driver is strongly recommended (Cash Only)***

Available options

5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

What's included

Yeti Style Cooler for Customer Use

Premium Limo Style Bus

Local Tour Guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Detailed itinerary

Chateau Chantal is a winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula, only a few miles north of Traverse City, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. The chateau sits atop one of the highest points on the Old Mission Peninsula and has views of both East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay. The winery is a European style chateau on a 64-acre (26 ha) estate. The Chateau has a tasting room, an eleven-room bed and breakfast, and a hospitality room where cooking classes and Jazz at Sunset are hosted.

The Beautiful Bowers Harbor was initially a horse farm and in 1991, began its transition to the stunning vineyard it is today. They have over 27 years of wine-making experience and boasts 20 acres of vines. Wine selections are numerous and include Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, hard ciders and more!
*Tasting flights are about $5 for 5 wines. Small snacks, dips and locally crafted cheeses & spreads are also available for purchase.

In 2004 with only 10,000 grape vines, Brys Estate yielded its first successful harvest. Now, the 91-acre estate is home to over 40,000 vines their varietals include: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer. Soak in beautiful East Bay views while enjoying world-class wines.
*Tasting flights are about $8 for 5 wines and a souvenir glass. A 5-Item Cheese & Charcuterie Board is also available for purchase at the winery.

Bonobo offers world-class wines, breathtaking views, and a business model that keeps with traditions of the region. Their 19 acres give rise to the following varietals: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Even with a limited selection, Bonobo wines (and ciders) are sure to shine in overall quality.
*Tasting flights are about $10 for 6 wines. They also offer the largest selection of snacks for purchase.

What's not included

Wine tastings are not included and are purchased individually at each vineyard. The price for each tasting ranges from $5 to $10 per tasting.

Gratuity (20% for the driver is strongly recommended)

Chateau Chantal Winery: Wine flights: $15, Glass pours: $9–$14

Bowers Harbor Vineyards: Wine by the Glass- $8-$10/Flights (5 pours or 2.5 glasses of wine)- $22-$28

Brys Estate Winery: Wine by the Glass- $9-$11/Frose'-$10/Wine Country Snack Box- $9

Bonobo Vineyards: Wine by the Glass- $9-$13 (Souvenir wine glass included)

Hawthorne Vineyards: Wine By The Glass -$10

Mari Vineyards: Wine By The Glass- $8-$15

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.8

333 reviews

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299

4★

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Tripadvisor 4.9

2,025 reviews

5★

1951

4★

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1★

Important information

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

**PLEASE REFERENCE THE PARKING MAP IN THE IMAGES ON THIS LISTING FOR THE PICK UP & DROP OFF LOCATION**

*DISCLAIMER: Wineries are subject to change based on availability.

Mari Vineyards will be on a first come first serve basis, if booked, we will switch out with Chateau Chantal Winery, and vise versa

There is a total of 10-15 parking spots that are allotted for Magic Shuttle Bus customers. These are offered on a first come, first serve basis.

Bry's Estate Winery is a first come, first serve basis at their lawn bar outside

*GRATUITY of 15%-20% for the driver is strongly recommended

Customers are welcome to pack a lunch for the day, most wineries only offer small appetizers and snacks, no full meals

*DISCLAIMER: Magic Shuttle Bus will contact wineries if appointments do need to be made, keep in mind, these are not reservations and only allow us to come in at the desired time, but does not eradicate wait times.

Since Covid, most wineries are not offering tastings, but rather flights and wine by the glass, and samples

Most wineries have outdoor seating only, please dress accordingly to stay warm on colder days

Some wineries do not accept cash, they require payment to be on a card

We strongly recommend that you use an Uber/Lyft/Taxi to get to the pick up location, and for your return trip home.

This is a public tour, not a private tour

Meeting point

Please navigate to the Grand Traverse County Civic Center in Traverse City, MI and follow the signs to "Tour Bus Parking". This will lead you to the desired parking lot where you'll see signs that state "Magic Shuttle Bus Tour Patron Parking". The bus will depart at 12pm Sun-Fri & 11am on Saturdays

Important notes

Please reference this video for tour/parking info: https://youtu.be/gA-M-kap3tM

About Traverse City

Traverse City is a charming lakeside destination in Northern Michigan known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant cherry orchards, and thriving arts and culinary scene. Nestled along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, it offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, cultural attractions, and small-town charm.

Top Attractions

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

A stunning national park featuring massive sand dunes, forests, and over 100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Perfect for hiking, picnicking, and scenic drives.

Nature Half day to full day Free

Downtown Traverse City

The heart of the city with a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic buildings. A great place to stroll, dine, and explore local culture.

Cultural Half day Free to explore, costs vary for dining and shopping

Old Mission Peninsula

A picturesque peninsula offering stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay, wineries, and the historic Old Mission Lighthouse. Ideal for scenic drives and wine tasting.

Scenic Half day Free to drive, wine tastings vary

Traverse City Beach

A beautiful sandy beach along Grand Traverse Bay, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The beach is family-friendly and offers stunning sunsets.

Beach Half day Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Cherry Pie

A classic dessert made with fresh cherries from the region, often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Pasties

A traditional savory pastry filled with meat and vegetables, originally brought to the area by Finnish immigrants.

Snack Contains gluten and dairy

Cherry Wine

Wine made from locally grown cherries, a specialty of the region's wineries.

Drink Alcoholic

Popular Activities

Hiking at Sleeping Bear Dunes Kayaking on Grand Traverse Bay Mountain biking in Traverse City trails Wine tasting at local wineries Sunbathing at Traverse City Beach Spa treatments at local resorts Visiting the Dennos Museum Center Attending performances at the Interlochen Center for the Arts

Best Time to Visit

June to August

Summer is the peak season with warm weather, outdoor activities, and festivals. The National Cherry Festival in July is a major highlight.

15-30°C 59-86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: English
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

EST (GMT-5) or EDT (GMT-4) during daylight saving time

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Traverse City is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, it's always important to take basic precautions, especially in crowded areas and at night.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Be cautious when using ATMs, especially at night
• Only use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services

Getting there

By air

Cherry Capital Airport • 3 miles from city center
Gerald R. Ford International Airport • 100 miles from city center

By bus

Traverse City Transit Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

Affordable and convenient for getting around town. Buses run on a regular schedule.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Downtown Old Mission Peninsula East Bay

Day trips

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

30 miles • Half day to full day

A stunning national park featuring massive sand dunes, forests, and over 100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Perfect for hiking, picnicking, and scenic drives.

Leelanau Peninsula

20 miles • Full day

A picturesque peninsula known for its wineries, cherry orchards, and stunning coastal views. Ideal for wine tasting, scenic drives, and outdoor activities.

Interlochen

20 miles • Half day

A charming arts community known for the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a renowned arts education institution. Offers cultural events, performances, and scenic beauty.

Festivals

National Cherry Festival • July Traverse City Film Festival • Late July to early August Winterfest • February

Pro tips

Visit the Traverse City Visitor Center for maps, brochures, and local recommendations
Check the weather forecast and dress in layers, as temperatures can change quickly
Explore the local wineries and breweries, as the region is known for its craft beverages
Try the local cherry-based products, such as cherry pie, cherry wine, and cherry-infused treats
Take a scenic drive along the Old Mission Peninsula for stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay