The Best Traverse City Wine Tour: A Perfect Getaway for Wine Lovers
Are you a wine lover looking for a unique experience? Traverse City, Michigan is the perfect place to go if you’re interested in a premier wine destination! With its stunning vineyards and award-winning wineries, a Traverse City wine tour offers the perfect getaway for any oenophile.
Get ready to experience some of the best wines in the region on these exciting 5-hour or 4-hour wine tours. We’ll show you how to plan your tour and provide useful tips on tasting room etiquette so that you can sip your way through Traverse City in style.
So uncork your favorite bottle and join us for an unforgettable journey through Michigan’s beautiful wine country!
How to Plan a Traverse City Wine Tour
Planning a Traverse City wine tour doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced connoisseur, Michigan’s wine country is a fun place to explore. First, you’ll need to decide how long you’d like your tour to last.
Options include both 4-hour and 5-hour tours, so pick the option that works best for your schedule.
Next, decide which wineries you want to visit. There are several options available on the Leelanau Peninsula and Northern Michigan’s Mission Peninsula, including Chateau Chantal, Hawthorne Vineyards, Black Star Farms, and Mari Vineyards.
Finally, don’t forget to bring along a few snacks and plenty of water. It’s important to stay hydrated between wine tour stops!
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through Michigan’s beautiful wine country!
5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula
Take your wine-tasting experience to the next level with a Traverse City Wine Tour to the Old Mission Peninsula. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced connoisseur, this tour will give you an unforgettable experience with Michigan’s stunning views and award-winning wines.
Booking with this group tour takes all of the headaches out of planning. They’ll provide the transportation, make the route, and call ahead with the wineries. All you need to do is show up and purchase your wine at each stop.
Explore four unique wineries on the Mission Peninsula, including but not limited to Chateau Chantal, Hawthorne Vineyards, Black Star Farms, and Mari Vineyards.
Sample different varieties of wines served by the glass or on flights, and you just might discover new favorites as you take in the breathtaking scenery. The tour includes round-trip transportation from Traverse City for the ultimate stress-free experience.
While many of the wineries have a menu of small plates and cheese boards, you can also bring your own snacks on the tour bus to eat between stops. These tours can also accommodate up to 20 people.
So why wait? Book your 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour to the Old Mission Peninsula and get ready for an unforgettable day full of spectacular views, delicious wines, and new discoveries!
5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula
Have you already explored the wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula and looking for something different? Then take your wine-tasting experience in a different direction (literally!) with this 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour to include 4 Wineries on Leelanau Peninsula!
This incredible tour makes it easy to explore four wineries in Northern Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula; potential stops include Leelanau Cellars, 45 North, Suttons Bay Ciders, and Rove Estate, and more.
You’ll get to sample different varieties of mostly white wines and some ciders, too. Enjoy the stunning views as you travel through the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. While this peninsula isn’t quite as popular as Old Mission, the views are just as spectacular.
It would be a great change of pace to go somewhere different if you’ve already thoroughly explored the Old Mission Peninsula wine tours.
4-Hour Traverse City Sunset Wine Tour: 3 Wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula
If you’re looking for an unforgettable evening experience from Traverse City, then take an evening wine tour to enjoy spectacular sunset views over the Great Lakes and Grand Traverse Bay!
A 4-hour tour from Traverse City includes 3 of the wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula! On this tour, you’ll get to experience three of the best wineries in Michigan as you watch a stunning sunset over wine country. What could be better?
This tour includes round-trip transportation from Traverse City and between each of the wineries, so all you’ll have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride! You’ll get to sample award-winning wines at places like Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Bonobo Vineyards, and Chateau Chantal Winery.
Some of the best sunsets in Michigan can be seen from this area, so take advantage of the location and enjoy absolutely beautiful views as you try some new wines. On the tour, you will be responsible for purchasing your own flights or glasses of wine.
More About the Old Mission Peninsula
The Old Mission Peninsula is absolutely stunning and the perfect place to spend a day tasting some of Michigan’s best wines! With rolling hills and amazing views of Grand Traverse Bay’s east and west arms, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this destination.
On the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail, visitors can explore 10 different wineries, each with their own unique selection of award-winning wines.
Whether you’re looking for an exciting night out or a peaceful weekend getaway, you’ll find something that suits your tastes here.
Plus, there are plenty of dining options ranging from come-as-you-are eateries to more upscale establishments, as well as B&Bs and inns offering beautiful accommodations with breathtaking views. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in Michigan’s wine country, the Old Mission Peninsula is where you need to go!
How To Take A Tour
Taking a wine tour from Traverse City is such a fun experience! Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or a fun day trip with friends, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Private tours can be customized to fit your tastes and schedule, while groups can even join one of the many organized public tours.
The variety of wineries on offer is vast, with each featuring unique tastings and stunning views. It’s always better to book a driver, so everyone on the tour is safe and can enjoy the experience together.
With so much to explore and taste, it’s easy to see why Traverse City is one of the premier wine regions in Michigan.
For the tours we’ve recommended, you’ll meet at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, where you’ll then set out with the group. The drivers are full of knowledge both about the area and the wine, so take advantage and ask them your questions along the way.
Instead of driving to the Civic Center parking lot, we’d recommend taking an Uber or Lyft from where you’re staying. That way, you don’t have to worry about driving back to your hotel after the tour.
Tasting Room Etiquette
Tasting room etiquette is an important part of a wine-tasting experience, and there are a few tips to keep in mind when visiting any of Traverse City’s many wineries. Always be respectful of the staff and other guests. This includes refraining from loud conversations and avoiding strong perfumes or colognes.
Be sure to ask questions about the wines – some wineries offer great stories behind their wines!
Many of these wineries boast great outdoor patios, which offer a more casual atmosphere. While the views can be absolutely fantastic from these patios, make sure that you dress for the weather. Don’t end up miserable and shivering on a chilly or windy day because you didn’t bring a jacket.
How To Taste Wine
Wine tasting doesn’t have to be intimidating! With a few helpful tips, you can approach your next glass of wine with just the right amount of knowledge and confidence.
Start by looking at the color – the hue can clue you into what type of wine you are drinking.
Then give it a swirl! Swirling helps to release aromas that will tell you more about the flavor profile.
Finally, take a sip, but don’t swallow yet! Let some air in your mouth as you roll it around, feeling for texture and tasting for any other flavors. This process helps activate all your taste buds so that you get the full experience.
And don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Wine is meant to be savored and enjoyed slowly, so take your time exploring each flavor and aroma as they emerge.
So don’t worry – you’ll soon be sipping like a pro!
Where to Stay After Your Traverse City Wine Tour
Conveniently located less than one mile from the Civic Center Hotline parking area, where you will meet for your tour, the Bayshore Resort is a great place to stay after your Traverse City wine tour.
This Victorian-style hotel has a small private beach, which is great for watching the sunset over the bay. They also offer a shuttle to take you to restaurants and other spots downtown.
From this location, you could even skip the Uber or Lyft on a nice day and enjoy the 15-minute walk to and from the meeting spot for the tour.
Other Things to Do While in Traverse City
While you’re in this corner of northern Michigan, there are plenty of great things to do. If spending a few days in the area, you’re probably looking for other activities!
Enjoy a stroll on Front Street, a lively stretch of restaurants, pubs, and shops. You’ll enjoy even just window shopping and there are plenty of places to refuel if you get hungry.
Take a day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just 30 minutes west of Traverse City. You can enjoy hiking the sand dunes or exploring overlooks and historic sites in the lakeshore.
You can also head up to the Mission Point lighthouse and take a self-guided tour. While it is not in operation anymore, you can learn about the job of the lightkeepers and the ships that came to the bay.
A Traverse City wine tour is more than just sipping delicious wines. It’s an experience that will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired, and connected to the beautiful surroundings of northern Michigan.
From the stunning vineyards to the friendly locals, these tours are a fantastic experience.
Cheers to an enjoyable Traverse City wine tour!
