Narrow The Traverse City Wine Tours List To Your Day

Three questions rebuild the shortlist fast: which peninsula, how many people, and whether tastings are included in the fare.

1. What kind of day are you after?
2. Do you want a proven favorite or a quieter pick?
3. How much time do you have?

All 18 tours are shown below. Answer the three questions to see only the ones that suit your plans.

Which Traverse City Wine Tours Fit Your Day?

Start with the most-reviewed tour on the roster. The 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour visits four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula, carries a 4.9 rating across 2,666 reviews, and runs from $79 per person. Five hours, one peninsula, and enough review history to trust the description.

The cheapest way onto a wine day here is the SUV side of the roster. Several tours run from $69 per person for four to five hours, riding Yukons and Escalades instead of a scheduled bus. What you trade away is the group-party atmosphere and, on some listings, a set departure point.

Per-group pricing wins once your party passes a certain size. Private days start at $369 per group, and the private winery or brewery tour runs $699.99 for up to 14 people, which works out cheaper per head than most per-person fares once you fill the vehicle. You also pick the stops.

Quick answer: the two scheduled operators split the market cleanly. The Magic Shuttle Bus sells transport only, so wineries bill you $5 to $15 per tasting at the door. Movie Stars Wine Tours runs smaller non-bus groups and includes samples, plus a bottle, in the fare. Everything on this page comes with free cancellation, and prices start at $69 per person.

Eighteen bookable tours sit in four buckets: shared runs on Old Mission, shared runs on Leelanau, private and custom charters, and hybrid trips that mix in breweries, cideries and distilleries. Every one carries free cancellation. When you are ready, compare all eighteen by type and match the route to your group and your afternoon.

Limo Bus, Four Wineries Limo Bus, Four Wineries Shared Bus, Three Estates Shared Bus, Three Estates Driver Uses Your Car Driver Uses Your Car Beer And Spirits, Samples Included Beer And Spirits, Samples Included SUV Tour, Samples Included SUV Tour, Samples Included Evening Loop, Three Wineries Evening Loop, Three Wineries Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery Private, Your Choice Of Stops Private, Your Choice Of Stops

What To Know Before Booking Traverse City Wine Tours

  • The market is small and concentrated: eighteen bookable tours, four operators, and published from-prices running $69 to $699.99.
  • The review leader is the 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour hitting four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula: 4.9 across 2,666 reviews, from $79 per person, run by The Magic Shuttle Bus.
  • Check whether tastings are included. The bus operator charges transport only and wineries bill $5 to $15 a tasting at the door, while the SUV operator folds samples and a bottle into the fare, so the cheaper ticket is not always the cheaper day.
  • Bus or SUV is the real fork. The scheduled bus caps at 14 to 20 riders and leaves from a fixed Civic Center point, while the SUV tours run Yukons and Escalades with pickup and combine couples.
  • The two AVAs differ in scale and age. Leelanau, established in 1982, is the older and larger, with 23 trail wineries; Old Mission, from 1987, runs 19 miles long, never more than 3 miles wide, and counts 10 trail wineries.
  • Michigan's open-container law exempts passengers riding in a chartered vehicle with a hired driver, so a bus or shuttle tour lets everyone in your group taste freely. A designated-driver service that drives your own car cannot rely on that exemption, so check how each operator handles it before you book.

Four Kinds Of Traverse City Wine Tours, Compared

Four kinds of days sit on this roster: scheduled Old Mission runs, Leelanau crossings, private and custom trips priced per group, and tours that swap a winery stop for a brewery, cidery or bike ride. The one question that separates them is simple: do you want to share the vehicle or choose the stops?

CategoryBest forTypical lengthFromLead tourPickup
Old Mission First-timers tend toward the five-hour, four-winery loop, while sunset riders and travelers who want a small non-bus vehicle instead of a shared van have their own options here. $69 Limo Bus, Four Wineries Hotel pickup on 3 of 6
Leelanau Suits anyone with a half-day free who wants the lake-hugged Leelanau loop, from $69 per person, with four tours in this category to compare. $69 Shared Bus, Three Estates Hotel pickup on 1 of 4
Private And Custom Built for bachelorette parties, anniversary trips, and any group that would rather set its own winery list than ride a fixed route across Old Mission or Leelanau. $369 Driver Uses Your Car Hotel pickup on 2 of 4
Wine And More Built for groups where some drink wine and others want a brewery pour or a cider, plus pairs who would rather pedal the peninsula than sit in a vehicle. $69 Beer And Spirits, Samples Included Hotel pickup on 2 of 4
Vineyard rows running down a narrow peninsula ridge toward Grand Traverse Bay on both sides Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tours Six bookable tours cover the finger of land north of Traverse City: four-winery loops, sunset loops, a distillery stop, and a downtown food pairing, all with free cancellation. First-timers tend toward the five-hour, four-winery loop, while sunset riders and travelers who want a small non-bus vehicle instead of a shared van have their own options here. Rolling vineyard and orchard country on the Leelanau Peninsula, with the bay in the distance Leelanau Peninsula Wine Tour Options Four tours work the peninsula west of the bay, from a five-hour shared shuttle hitting three wineries to private non-bus runs by Movie Stars Wine Tours, with prices from $69. Suits anyone with a half-day free who wants the lake-hugged Leelanau loop, from $69 per person, with four tours in this category to compare. A private vehicle waiting on a quiet winery drive between tasting-room stops Private and Custom Group Wine Tours Four private options, from a designated driver who pilots your own car to a group van for up to 14 where you pick every stop yourself. Built for bachelorette parties, anniversary trips, and any group that would rather set its own winery list than ride a fixed route across Old Mission or Leelanau. A tasting flight of wine, cider and beer lined up on a bar in northern Michigan Wine, Beer, Cider and Bike Tours Four Movie Stars outings pair wine with beer, spirits or hard cider, and one bike version covers Old Mission on two wheels for up to two riders. Built for groups where some drink wine and others want a brewery pour or a cider, plus pairs who would rather pedal the peninsula than sit in a vehicle.

Why A Guided Day Beats Driving Yourself Here

The peninsula roads are narrow, winding and busy in season, and a full day of tastings means nobody wants the wheel at stop four. A guided day hands the driving to someone who runs these routes weekly and knows which tasting rooms clear out after lunch.

Compare the full day's spend, not the headline fare. Add tasting fees at the door, the tip, and what a rideshare back from the last winery would cost, then set that against a fare that already includes samples and pickup. The gap narrows or flips.

Traverse City Wine Tours On Old Mission Peninsula

Six tours work the Old Mission Peninsula AVA, established in 1987. The peninsula runs 19 miles and is never more than 3 miles wide, with 10 wineries on its trail, so a four-stop day covers real ground without long transfers.

Most-reviewed listings

Limo Bus, Four Wineries

Listing shows it was the most booked Traverse City experience in the last 48 hours

A shared shuttle run by The Magic Shuttle Bus, from $79 per person. Tasting fees are extra, paid at each winery, generally $5 to $10 per tasting on Old Mission. · 5 hours · Shared, up to 20 · Run by The Magic Shuttle Bus

4.9 2,666 verified reviews

The Magic Shuttle Bus runs this five-hour loop around the Old Mission Peninsula, stopping at four wineries with roughly an hour at each. From $79 per person, with free cancellation. The ticket covers the ride and the guide; the pours are bought at each bar, with tastings on Old Mission ranging from $5 to $10. Groups share the bus, which keeps the per-person price down, and the peninsula's layout keeps the drive between stops short.

from $79per person, live price on the listing Check Price & Availability → Free cancellation
SUV Tour, Samples Included

SUV Tour, Samples Included

5.0 542 verified reviews

Listing shows 10 or more bookings in the past week

4 to 5 hours · Luxury SUV, samples included · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Movie Stars Wine Tours runs this Old Mission Peninsula circuit in a private SUV, not a shared coach, so the group stays small and the stops can breathe. The tour runs four to five hours, from $69 per person, with free cancellation. Tasting samples are covered by the ticket, and every booking comes with a complimentary bottle to take home. Flights, additional bottles and food are paid for separately at the wineries.

Check Price & Availability →
Evening Loop, Three Wineries

Evening Loop, Three Wineries

4.9 261 verified reviews

Friday and Saturday evenings only, and the listing shows 20 or more bookings last week

4 hours · Evening loop, tastings extra · The Magic Shuttle Bus

Three wineries instead of four, and the timing shifted toward evening: that is the shape of this Magic Shuttle Bus sunset run on Old Mission Peninsula. Four hours at $74 per person, with free cancellation. The shorter list of stops buys a calmer rhythm, and the final tasting room lands as the sun drops toward Grand Traverse Bay. Transport and guiding are in the ticket, while tasting fees of roughly $5 to $10 per winery are settled on site. It works well for couples or small groups who want the peninsula without committing a full afternoon.

Check Price & Availability →
Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery

Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery

5.0 126 verified reviews

Listing shows five or more bookings in the past month

4 to 5 hours · Late-day wine and spirits · Movie Stars Wine Tours

This Movie Stars outing pairs Old Mission tasting rooms with a distillery visit, all in a smaller vehicle rather than a full-size bus. The afternoon timing means the last stops catch the low light across Grand Traverse Bay. It runs four to five hours at from $69 per person, with free cancellation. Tasting samples and a complimentary bottle are included in the fare; flights and food cost extra.

Check Price & Availability →
Cadillac Escalade Wine Tour

Cadillac Escalade Wine Tour

5.0 5 verified reviews

Listing carries a likely-to-sell-out flag

4.5 hours · Samples included · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Movie Stars Wine Tours runs this Old Mission Peninsula circuit from the back of a Cadillac Escalade instead of a shuttle bus. The tour runs four and a half hours and starts from $69 per person, with free cancellation. Wine samples at each stop are covered by the ticket, and a complimentary bottle is thrown in. Full flights and any food you order at the wineries are paid on the spot.

Check Price & Availability →
Two Wineries Plus Downtown Dinner

Two Wineries Plus Downtown Dinner

New listing, no reviews yet

4.5 hours · Two wineries plus dinner · Movie Stars Wine Tours

This one splits the day between glass and plate. The route starts on Old Mission Peninsula with tastings at two wineries, then heads back into downtown Traverse City for the dining portion of the 4.5-hour run. Priced from $79 per person, with free cancellation and no reviews published on the listing yet. Movie Stars Wine Tours operates it in the same non-bus format as its other Old Mission outings.

Check Price & Availability →

Traverse City Wine Tours On Leelanau Peninsula

Four tours cross to Leelanau, the older and larger of the two AVAs, established in 1982. Its trail counts 23 wineries, which means no single day reaches them all, and the tours here pick a route rather than attempt the whole peninsula.

Most-reviewed listings

Shared Bus, Three Estates

Listing shows 10 or more bookings in the past month

Three estates in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, the older of the two regions bordering Grand Traverse Bay, with appointments arranged ahead at each stop. Tasting fees are paid at the wineries and are not part of the ticket. · 5 hours · Shared, up to 14 · Run by The Magic Shuttle Bus

4.9 427 verified reviews

The Magic Shuttle Bus runs the same five-hour loop format it uses on Old Mission, this time across the bay in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, which was established on March 30, 1982 and ranks among Michigan's first recognized wine regions. Three winery stops, from $79 per person, free cancellation. The operator sets up appointments at each stop so the group is expected on arrival, and you can drink and snack on the bus between visits. Tasting fees at the wineries are separate from the ticket price.

from $79per person, live price on the listing Check Price & Availability → Free cancellation
SUV With Pickup, Samples Included

SUV With Pickup, Samples Included

5.0 8 verified reviews

4 hours 30 minutes · Leelanau by SUV · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Movie Stars Wine Tours runs this Leelanau trip in an SUV rather than a coach, which suits travelers who want a smaller vehicle and a quieter ride between stops. The tour runs four and a half hours, from $69 per person, with free cancellation. Tasting samples are included at each winery and a complimentary bottle comes with the booking; flights, bottles and food are paid separately on site.

Check Price & Availability →
Premium Sunset, Small Group

Premium Sunset, Small Group

5.0 2 verified reviews

4.5 hours · Leelanau at golden hour · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Movie Stars Wine Tours runs this evening edition without a bus, in a small group, at 4.5 hours from $199 per person with free cancellation. It is the priciest per-person option on the Leelanau side of the roster, and the premium reflects the timing more than the distance. Tastings are built into the ticket, along with a complimentary bottle; flights and food cost extra. Reviews are few but perfect, rating 5 across 2 published so far.

Check Price & Availability →
Left Foot Charley Plus Leelanau

Left Foot Charley Plus Leelanau

New listing, no reviews yet

4.5 hours · Urban winery plus Leelanau · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Most Leelanau itineraries only begin once you are across the bay. This one starts at Left Foot Charley, the winery inside Traverse City itself, then heads out onto the Leelanau Peninsula for the rest of a four and a half hour run. Priced at $199 a person, with samples and a complimentary bottle included and flights and food extra. It is a new listing with no reviews on it yet.

Check Price & Availability →

Private Traverse City Wine Tours And Custom Days

Four private options are priced per group from $369. One service drives your own car so you keep your schedule and your trunk, and a private winery or brewery day takes up to 14 people for $699.99 with the group choosing every stop.

Most-reviewed listings

Driver Uses Your Car

The from-price of $369 covers the whole group for five hours in your own vehicle, route of your choosing on either peninsula. Tasting fees are paid at each winery. · 5 hours · Private, your party only · Pickup included · Run by Bay Life Getaways

4.8 187 verified reviews

The answer to Michigan's open-container rules that keeps your group in a familiar car instead of a stranger's van. A driver arrives where you are staying, takes the keys, and runs five hours around whichever wineries you name on either side of the bay. The price is per group, not per head, so with four aboard it costs less a person than most shared seats. Tasting fees are still yours to settle at each bar. Rated 4.8 across 187 reviews.

from $369per group, live price on the listing Check Price & Availability → Free cancellation
Private, Your Choice Of Stops

Private, Your Choice Of Stops

4.9 37 verified reviews

4 hours · Your stops, your group · The Magic Shuttle Bus

A private four-hour charter from The Magic Shuttle Bus, with the stop list left entirely to the group. Wineries on either peninsula, breweries in and around Traverse City, or a mix of both, decided on the day. The vehicle fits 14, and at $699.99 per group a full booking works out cheaper per person than many shared seats. Tasting fees at each stop are paid on site, not in the ticket. Rated 4.9 across 37 reviews, with free cancellation.

Check Price & Availability →
Private For Two, Distillery Stop

Private For Two, Distillery Stop

New listing, no reviews yet

4.5 hours · Private for two · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Four and a half private hours on Old Mission Peninsula, built for a party of two: winery stops with a distillery worked into the route. Movie Stars Wine Tours includes samples plus a complimentary bottle, with flights and food extra. The listing is new, so no reviews sit under it yet, and free cancellation applies.

Check Price & Availability →
Private Bachelorette, Party Of Four

Private Bachelorette, Party Of Four

New listing, no reviews yet

4 hours · Private group of four · Movie Stars Wine Tours

A private four-hour Old Mission run for up to four guests, built for bachelorette and party groups. Samples plus a complimentary bottle are included, with nobody else in the car. The listing is new, so no reviews sit on it yet.

Check Price & Availability →

Traverse City Wine Tours With Beer, Cider Or Bikes

Four tours widen the day beyond wine: one pairs a winery with a brewery, another adds a distillery stop, a third leans into hard cider, and a bike tour rides Old Mission between tastings. Same peninsulas, different pace.

Most-reviewed listings

Beer And Spirits, Samples Included

Same operator and vehicles as the wine runs, aimed at hops and stills rather than vineyards. Samples included with the ticket, food and take-home bottles are not. · 4 to 5 hours · Semi-private, up to 20 · Pickup included · Run by Movie Stars Wine Tours

5.0 3 verified reviews

Beer and spirits instead of Riesling, four to five hours of them, with Movie Stars Wine Tours driving. The route skips the tasting rooms and calls on Traverse City's breweries and distilleries instead. Samples are part of the $69 ticket, and a complimentary bottle comes along too; flights, food and anything you carry home cost extra. Free cancellation applies. Rated 5 across 3 reviews.

from $69per person, live price on the listing Check Price & Availability → Free cancellation
Bike Between Wineries

Bike Between Wineries

5.0 2 verified reviews

4.5 hours · Ride between wineries · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Old Mission Peninsula has bay water on both sides, which makes it some of the most bikeable wine country in Michigan. This tour pairs a bike ride with a support vehicle, so the final stretch never depends on tired legs. Four and a half hours, priced per pair, rated 5 across 2 reviews.

Check Price & Availability →
Half Wine, Half Beer, Pickup

Half Wine, Half Beer, Pickup

New listing, no reviews yet

4.5 hours · Half wine, half beer · Movie Stars Wine Tours

The compromise booking: wineries for some of the party, breweries for the rest, four and a half hours with pickup available. Plenty of groups never reach a consensus on wine, and this tour exists for exactly that. It is a newer listing, so no reviews sit on it yet.

Check Price & Availability →
Cider Houses And Breweries

Cider Houses And Breweries

New listing, no reviews yet

4.5 hours · Cider country · Movie Stars Wine Tours

Movie Stars Wine Tours runs this one for drinkers who would rather skip the tasting rooms entirely. Four and a half hours visiting cider houses and breweries instead, from $199 per person. The listing is new, so no reviews have landed on it yet.

Check Price & Availability →

Filter And Sort All Traverse City Wine Tours

Eighteen tours sit below, sortable by peninsula, price, rating and hours on the road. Start with which side of the bay you want, then trim by budget.

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All 18 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a heading chip twice to flip the order.

TourLakeTastingsLengthFromRatingBook
Limo Bus, Four WineriesThe Magic Shuttle Bus Old Mission Tastings paid on site 5 hours $79 ★ 4.92,666 reviews Check availability
SUV Tour, Samples IncludedMovie Stars Wine Tours Old Mission Tastings included 4 to 5 hours $69 ★ 5.0542 reviews Check availability
Shared Bus, Three EstatesThe Magic Shuttle Bus Leelanau Tastings paid on site 5 hours $79 ★ 4.9427 reviews Check availability
Evening Loop, Three WineriesThe Magic Shuttle Bus Old Mission Tastings paid on site 4 hours $74 ★ 4.9261 reviews Check availability
Driver Uses Your CarBay Life Getaways Private And Custom Tastings paid on site 5 hours $369 ★ 4.8187 reviews Check availability
Sunset SUV, Wine And DistilleryMovie Stars Wine Tours Old Mission Tastings included 4 to 5 hours $69 ★ 5.0126 reviews Check availability
Private, Your Choice Of StopsThe Magic Shuttle Bus Private And Custom Tastings paid on site 4 hours $699.99 ★ 4.937 reviews Check availability
SUV With Pickup, Samples IncludedMovie Stars Wine Tours Leelanau Tastings included 4 hours 30 minutes $69 ★ 5.08 reviews Check availability
Cadillac Escalade Wine TourMovie Stars Wine Tours Old Mission Tastings included 4.5 hours $69 ★ 5.05 reviews Check availability
Beer And Spirits, Samples IncludedMovie Stars Wine Tours Wine And More Tastings included 4 to 5 hours $69 ★ 5.03 reviews Check availability
Premium Sunset, Small GroupMovie Stars Wine Tours Leelanau Tastings included 4.5 hours $199 ★ 5.02 reviews Check availability
Bike Between WineriesMovie Stars Wine Tours Wine And More Tastings included 4.5 hours $199 ★ 5.02 reviews Check availability
Two Wineries Plus Downtown DinnerMovie Stars Wine Tours Old Mission Tastings included 4.5 hours $79 No reviews yet Check availability
Left Foot Charley Plus LeelanauMovie Stars Wine Tours Leelanau Tastings included 4.5 hours $199 No reviews yet Check availability
Private For Two, Distillery StopMovie Stars Wine Tours Private And Custom Tastings included 4.5 hours $369 No reviews yet Check availability
Private Bachelorette, Party Of FourMovie Stars Wine Tours Private And Custom Tastings included 4 hours $399 No reviews yet Check availability
Half Wine, Half Beer, PickupMovie Stars Wine Tours Wine And More Tastings included 4.5 hours $199 No reviews yet Check availability
Cider Houses And BreweriesMovie Stars Wine Tours Wine And More Tastings included 4.5 hours $199 No reviews yet Check availability

What Each Tour Includes, Side By Side

The check marks below show what each fare actually covers. The key difference is tastings: some operators include samples in the price, while the bus tours charge $5 to $15 per tasting at the winery door. Check before you book.

TourTransportLunch or foodTastingsFree cancellationHotel pickupFrom
Limo Bus, Four Wineries meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $79
SUV Tour, Samples Included hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $69
Evening Loop, Three Wineries meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $74
Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $69
Cadillac Escalade Wine Tour hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $69
Two Wineries Plus Downtown Dinner meet at the winery food, not a full lunch tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $79
Shared Bus, Three Estates meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $79
SUV With Pickup, Samples Included hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $69
Premium Sunset, Small Group meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $199
Left Foot Charley Plus Leelanau meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $199
Driver Uses Your Car hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $369
Private, Your Choice Of Stops hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $699.99
Private For Two, Distillery Stop meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $369
Private Bachelorette, Party Of Four meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $399
Beer And Spirits, Samples Included hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $69
Bike Between Wineries meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $199
Half Wine, Half Beer, Pickup hotel pickup tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before included $199
Cider Houses And Breweries meet at the winery tastings only tastings included up to 24 h before meeting point $199

What Makes Traverse City Worth A Tasting Trip

Traverse City sits close to the 45th parallel, with Grand Traverse Bay holding warmth late into the season. That moderated air is why cool-climate grapes ripen on both peninsulas.

1982the year the Leelanau Peninsula AVA was established, under 27 CFR 9.40
1987the year the Old Mission Peninsula AVA followed, under 27 CFR 9.114
60%share of Michigan's wine grapes grown on these two peninsulas, per Traverse City Tourism
19miles from the base of Old Mission Peninsula to its tip, never more than three miles wide
23member wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, with ten more on the Old Mission trail
18bookable tours compared on this page, from four operators

When To Go: Traverse City Wine Tours By Season

The tasting year here has real rhythm: quiet rooms in spring, crowds in summer, harvest and colour in October, then ice wine once the deep cold arrives.

Winter

December to February

Ice wine season. Grapes stay on the vine and are picked frozen, typically late December into January, when temperatures reach about 15°F.

Spring

March to May

Bud break on both peninsulas and the quietest tasting rooms of the year, if you like a long chat with the pourer.

Summer

June to August

The busiest stretch on both peninsulas. Book the scheduled shuttles well ahead, because seats go fast in high season.

Autumn

September to November

Harvest runs mid-to-late September through October, whites and reds first with Riesling picked latest, while fall colour packs the tasting rooms.

What You Will Taste On Traverse City Wine Tours

Cool-climate whites lead most flights here. Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris pour everywhere, with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc carrying the red side.

The signature pour

Riesling

Riesling, Michigan's most-planted wine grape, comes off the vine last in the harvest. Taste it on the Old Mission tours.

The cold-hardy red

Cabernet Franc

A red that ripens reliably in a short northern season, which is why it anchors the red lists on the Leelanau tours.

The everyday white

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Gris, alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is one of the cool-climate varieties that carry the north, showing crisp orchard fruit in most tasting flights.

The winter rarity

Ice Wine

Grapes are left on the vine and picked frozen in December and January, concentrating sugar and acid into a rare, intensely sweet pour.

Where Traverse City Wine Tours Depart And Drive

Two peninsulas flank Grand Traverse Bay: Old Mission to the east, a narrow finger of trail wineries, and the larger Leelanau to the west.

Schematic of Grand Traverse Bay and the two wine peninsulas Leelanau Peninsula to the west, the narrow Old Mission Peninsula in the centre splitting the West and East Arms of Grand Traverse Bay, and Traverse City along the south shore. Each pin links to that group's tours. Schematic only, not to scale. Leelanau Peninsula: AVA since 1982, 23 trail wineriesLeelanau Old Mission Peninsula: AVA since 1987, 19 miles long, 10 trail wineriesOld Mission Private and custom days, collected from where you are stayingPrivate Wine paired with beer, cider or a bike rideTraverse City

A rough sketch, not to scale. Choose a peninsula to jump straight to its tours.

Pick Your Pickup Point

Where you board can rule a tour in or out. Most shuttles collect in downtown Traverse City, while private services will meet you at your lodging, so check the pickup point on the listing before you commit.

Leelanau Old Mission GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Civic Center Hardy Street Garage Old Mission Departures Where Tours Meet You 3 3 10 2

4 boarding points, 18 tours. Where a tour starts is the first thing that rules one in or out. Two operators depart from fixed points you drive to, and the private services collect you instead. Tap a boarding point or a tour name to see what starts where.

What Travelers Say About Traverse City Wine Tours

“Very enjoyable. Relaxed atmosphere, people were very friendly and informative. we had a great time. Darrin is an exceptional guide. gave us tips on the wines and the vineyards.”

Doug, operator-listing review of Limo Bus, Four Wineries

“Incredible experience! If you’re looking for an attentive driver and a VIP feel! Book! Our driver Brian was incredible! Best tour I have used in Traverse City.”

Rochelle_H, operator-listing review of SUV Tour, Samples Included

“Make sure to sample the wines (as opposed to just getting a flight) so that the staff is able to impart their knowledge of whatever you are sampling. I was specifically looking for dry wines with low residual sugar, and they were extremely helpful. We were blessed with a beautiful sunset and our driver. Kevin was knowledgeable, helpful and gracious..”

Melinda_H, operator-listing review of Evening Loop, Three Wineries

“The driver told us the history of area and about the different wineries we visited. Made suggestions of wines to try at each winery.”

Letitia_B, operator-listing review of Shared Bus, Three Estates

“We had such a great time and can’t wait to come back and do it again! Mike drove us to 4 different wineries/breweries in a beautiful Cadillac Escalade. We had amazing wine, delicious snacks and beautiful views. Everyone was so nice and welcoming.”

David_W, operator-listing review of Sunset SUV, Wine And Distillery

“Royce our driver was super nice! The wine tastings were good. Wish they gave a little history on the wineries but all else was nice.”

Meredith_L, operator-listing review of Driver Uses Your Car

“We had an excellent day. Joe, the driver was very accommodating and knowledgeable about the different wineries. 10/10!”

Amy, United States, operator-listing review of Cadillac Escalade Wine Tour

“Really enjoyed the unique views at the 4 wineries! Brian was very attentive to be sure we were enjoying our experience. He was knowledgeable about the area and was able to give wine recommendations to our liking at each place! The dinner ideas were especially appreciated!!”

Becky, United States, operator-listing review of Premium Sunset, Small Group

“My husband and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary. We booked a bicycle wine tour. Mike had all of the stops planned out!! He also text us our stops so we could put them in our navigation app. He was so dedicated to guide us even though we were the only 2 on the bike tour. The rest went by SUVs. He gave us history, told us of all the places we could go and even sat with us to guide us in our wine drinking. We’re not very educated wine drinkers. Lol It was seriously a private tour guide. Thank you Mike for a wonderful day!!”

Nannette, United States, operator-listing review of Bike Between Wineries

Traveler reviews published by the tour operators on the operators' own booking listings, quoted exactly as written; we do not collect, select or edit them.

Where To Stay In Traverse City Wine Country

Downtown Traverse City puts you between both peninsulas, a short drive to either trail. Stay out on Old Mission or Leelanau and you trade restaurants for vineyard views.

downtown

Park Place Hotel

300 E State St, downtown Traverse City, directly across State Street from the Hardy Street parking structure (303 E State St) where the NON-BUS SUV wine tours meet

★ 8.2 · 1,001 reviews

Steps from downtown tasting rooms, so you can walk to wine after the shuttle drops you off.

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waterfront

Delamar Traverse City

615 E Front St, on the West Grand Traverse Bay waterfront at the east end of downtown Front Street

★ 9.4 · 1,238 reviews

On the water at Grand Traverse Bay, a short drive from Old Mission Peninsula wineries.

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beachfront

Bayshore Resort

833 E Front St, on the West Grand Traverse Bay beach just east of downtown, on the US-31 side of town the wine buses use heading for the Old Mission Peninsula

★ 9.6 · 1,673 reviews

Bayfront base close to both wine peninsulas, with sunset views over the bay after your tour.

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Traverse City Wine Tours: Common Questions

Do tour prices cover the wine tastings themselves?

It depends on the operator. The scheduled bus service sells transport only and publishes a per-winery tasting list running $5 to $15, paid at each counter. The SUV operator includes samples plus a complimentary bottle in the fare. One private service states plainly that tasting fees are not included. Check the inclusions on the live booking page for whichever tour you pick.

Should I pick Old Mission Peninsula or Leelanau Peninsula?

Old Mission is the easier day out: a narrow 19-mile finger with 10 trail wineries and a short loop, which is why so many first tours run there. Leelanau is the older and larger AVA, with 23 trail wineries spread wider, so you cover more ground between pours but get more variety. Want a quick loop? Take Old Mission. Have a full day and a driver? Leelanau rewards the miles.

What do wine tours around Traverse City cost?

Published from-prices run $69 to $199 per person on shared tours, while private per-group days run $369 to $699.99. The cheapest seats are the non-bus Old Mission runs at $69, with the five-hour shuttles at $79. Tasting fees may sit on top where the operator sells transport only, so budget for those before comparing fares.

When is a private tour better than the shared bus?

Per-person seats on shared tours start at $69, while private options like the Designated Driver TC tour charge $369 per group. For a party of six, shared seats at $69 each would already exceed that group fare, so the private route starts to make sense once your headcount gets to six or more. Smaller groups and couples will usually spend less booking per-person seats on the shared Old Mission and Leelanau runs.

Can you drink alcohol on the vehicle between winery stops?

Michigan's open-container law bars passengers from drinking in most vehicles, but there is an exception that matters here. Under MCL 257.624a(4), riders in a chartered vehicle are exempt from the ban, which is why the bus and SUV tours can pour between stops. A hired driver behind the wheel of your own car cannot rely on that exemption, so the designated-driver services keep the corks sealed until you are back at a tasting room.

Where do the tours actually start?

It depends on the tour you book. The scheduled bus departs from a fixed point at the Civic Center, while some SUV tours gather at the Hardy Street parking structure downtown. The private services work differently: they collect you wherever you are staying, which is one reason groups often choose them. Check the listing for your specific tour before you head out, since meeting details vary by operator.

Which grapes grow best around the bay?

Riesling leads. It is Michigan's most-planted wine grape, accounting for roughly 670 of the state's 3,375 vineyard acres, and it thrives in the cool air off Grand Traverse Bay. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc round out the plantings, and the region also produces ice wine, picked during the deep freeze from December into January. Expect crisp whites and lighter reds rather than big, warm-climate styles.

When should you plan your visit?

Autumn draws the biggest crowds, and for good reason: harvest season puts the vineyards at their busiest and most scenic, with tasting rooms humming and fruit coming off the vines. Spring is quieter and the vines are just waking up, which suits travelers who prefer elbow room at the bar. Winter visits are the calmest of all, and they coincide with the ice wine harvest. Whenever you go, book ahead, since seats on the scheduled tours fill fastest in fall.

Traverse City Wine Tours, Answered

The questions below come up again and again from travelers comparing Traverse City wine tours before they book.

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Limo Bus, Four Wineries

Limo Bus, Four Wineries

4.9 2,666 verified reviews

Listing shows it was the most booked Traverse City experience in the last 48 hours

5 hours · Four wineries, tastings extra · The Magic Shuttle Bus

The Magic Shuttle Bus runs this five-hour loop around the Old Mission Peninsula, stopping at four wineries with roughly an hour at each. From $79 per person, with free cancellation. The ticket covers the ride and the guide; the pours are bought at each bar, with tastings on Old Mission ranging from $5 to $10. Groups share the bus, which keeps the per-person price down, and the peninsula's layout keeps the drive between stops short.

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Shared Bus, Three Estates

Shared Bus, Three Estates

4.9 427 verified reviews

Listing shows 10 or more bookings in the past month

5 hours · Leelanau, three estates · The Magic Shuttle Bus

The Magic Shuttle Bus runs the same five-hour loop format it uses on Old Mission, this time across the bay in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, which was established on March 30, 1982 and ranks among Michigan's first recognized wine regions. Three winery stops, from $79 per person, free cancellation. The operator sets up appointments at each stop so the group is expected on arrival, and you can drink and snack on the bus between visits. Tasting fees at the wineries are separate from the ticket price.

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Driver Uses Your Car

Driver Uses Your Car

4.8 187 verified reviews

5 hours · They drive your car · Bay Life Getaways

The answer to Michigan's open-container rules that keeps your group in a familiar car instead of a stranger's van. A driver arrives where you are staying, takes the keys, and runs five hours around whichever wineries you name on either side of the bay. The price is per group, not per head, so with four aboard it costs less a person than most shared seats. Tasting fees are still yours to settle at each bar. Rated 4.8 across 187 reviews.

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from $79 · ★ 4.9 (2,666) · listing shows it was the most booked traverse city experience in the last 48 hours · free cancellation Check availability →