One luxury SUV day and you’re off-road in wine country. This Movie Star Experience makes Traverse City feel personal, with downtown pickup and a short, friendly tasting pace at four stops. I love the flexibility (your exact wineries can shift with weather and availability) and I love that you get samples without turning the day into a vending machine. One thing to consider: food, flights, and bottles cost extra, and not every stop is guaranteed on every departure.

If you’re picturing the usual bus tour rhythm—herd, wait, rush—this is designed to feel different. The ride is an air-conditioned luxury SUV (think GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban; Cadillac Escalade is coming), and the group size is capped at 20, with many departures combining couples and small parties. The itinerary is semi-private, typically 4 wineries for day tours and 3 wineries plus the distillery for sunsets.

You’ll spend about 4 to 5 hours total. Expect time at each place for flights or wine by the glass if you want to buy, plus the chance to learn what’s in the glass before you decide. If you want maximum certainty on exact wineries and exact pours, you’ll need to be a little flexible with your plans.

Key points before you go

• Luxury SUV pickup at Hardy Street means you’re not walking miles to a far-away loading zone.
• Flexible stop selection based on weather and availability keeps the day flowing instead of forcing a schedule.
• Hawthorne’s bluff views are a big deal for anyone who wants the peninsula scenery without car traffic.
• Bonobo adds variety: whiskey options and even lavender vodka frozen lemonade on request (availability varies).
• Old Mission Distilling rounds it out with mixed-drink and tasting-flight options that go beyond wine.
• 4 to 5 hours is enough to taste, compare styles, and still have dinner in Traverse City.

Movie-Star pickup in Traverse City: hardy street to luxury SUV

This tour is built around one simple idea: you shouldn’t start your wine day by suffering through transit stress. Pickup is at Hardy Street Parking Structure on the east side, near the State Street entrance by Middlecoast Brewery. Look for the GMC Yukon (and similar luxury SUVs), or the Cadillac Escalade if it’s the vehicle assigned to your group.

Downtown pickup and drop-off are the big advantage. You avoid the classic problem—getting shuffled back to a random parking lot far from where you’ll actually want to eat. The tour ends back at the meeting point, but for most downtown guests it stays convenient. For some groups, pickup can also happen at local downtown Traverse City locations (you coordinate this directly), so you’re not playing Uber roulette with a fully booked afternoon.

One practical tip: plan your arrival to Hardy Street a few minutes early. You’ll be drinking later, and you want your first step of the day to be calm, not rushed.

What the 4–5 hour pace feels like (and why it matters)

This is semi-private, not a long bus crawl. The tour is generally 4 to 5 hours depending on group pace, and the company caps size at 20 travelers. Many departures combine couples and small groups of about 6 to 7, which often means you’re not stuck in a big crowd atmosphere.

That time window is important. Four hours is enough to do meaningful tastings at multiple places and still keep your energy. It also gives you room to make good dinner choices afterward instead of eating something cold in a parking lot.

Also keep the stop mix in mind:

• Day tours usually focus on 4 wineries.
• Sunset tours usually rotate through 3 wineries plus Old Mission Distillery.
• If you book as a private group, you can usually customize a 4-stop plan.
• If you’re traveling with a group of 6 or more, you’ll likely have room to suggest stops.

The flexibility is real. Wineries can change based on time of year, weather, and availability. If you’re the type who hates surprises, treat this like a menu with excellent defaults, not a mail-order itinerary.

Stop 1: Hawthorne Vineyards and the bluff-view tasting rhythm

Hawthorne Vineyards is the kind of place that makes you sit up straighter in your chair. The tasting room sits high on a bluff with views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bays. The best part is the setting: vineyard, woods, and water, with no close neighbors and no view of traffic.

What I like about this stop is the layout of the experience. The tour time is around 55 minutes, which is enough for a flight or a glass and still time to slow down and actually look out over the water. It also helps that Hawthorne has options beyond basic pours—guests can buy wine by the glass, bottles, or flights, and you can also join their wine club during the visit.

Flavor-wise, Hawthorne is built around Traverse City strengths. Red drinkers can sample a Merlot / Cabernet Franc style blend, and white drinkers can find Auxerrois or Dry Riesling in the mix. There’s also mention of popcorn flights and even charcuterie boards, depending on what’s available that day.

Possible drawback: if the weather is rough, that bluff setting can be less comfortable for sitting outside. If you want the full view effect, aim to dress in layers and be ready for outdoor patio seating when it’s nice.

Stop 2: Bonobo Winery for the whiskey twist and big personality

If Hawthorne is calm and scenic, Bonobo brings personality. This winery was founded by brothers and longtime Traverse City natives Todd and Carter Oosterhouse. The vibe is “movie star” in the best way—welcoming, upbeat, and designed for you to feel like the day is about more than just ticking boxes.

The tasting list is where this stop becomes fun. You can sample expert-level reds like BDX and Pinot Noir. Whites can include Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay, and Fume Blanc. But the standout detail is the variety:

• Tour guests can sample a glass of whiskey here (a rare add-on on a peninsula tour).
• There are options like a frozen lemonade made with lavender vodka (again, availability matters).
• There may be pretzel bites, charcuterie, or fried goat cheese depending on what’s on hand.

The tour time here is also about 55 minutes, which fits the “taste, compare, chat, move on” pace. If you like wineries that feel a little more hands-on—asking questions, trying different styles, and learning as you go—Bonobo is a strong choice for your day.

One consideration: because this is a tasting experience with optional upgrades (flights, food, extra items), your total day spending can rise if you order multiple add-ons at each stop. I’d recommend deciding early whether you’re doing one flight per winery or one glass plus a snack.

Stop 3 on the sunset mix: Old Mission Distilling and local ingredients

Old Mission Distilling is the stop that turns a wine tour into something broader. The place is on the Old Mission Peninsula, and the tour angle is clear: spirits come from ingredients, and they source locally when possible.

You’ll be welcomed and offered opportunities to purchase mixed drinks and wine. The distilling team’s message is about the peninsula itself—farms and orchards for fruit-forward flavors, grains for the base materials, and the idea that those inputs show up in what you taste.

You also get options to explore beyond just one drink. The visit can include a mixed drink flight, plus food and wine depending on what’s available at that moment. The tasting time is again around 55 minutes, so you can try a few things without feeling like you’re trapped in a long bar line.

Why this stop matters: if you only drink wine, a distillery can help you compare styles and understand how fermentation and distillation change flavor. And if your group has mixed drink preferences, this is often the moment where everyone finds something they like.

Stop 4: Bowers Harbor Vineyards as the seasonal alternate

Bowers Harbor Vineyards is a seasonal stop, meaning it replaces another winery depending on the time of year. That also explains why your exact order can shift. If Bowers Harbor is on your day, you’re heading to a winery with roots dating back to 1991, where the estate used to be a horse farm.

The tasting room is described as a former horse stable, and the property includes vines, patio space, a fire pit area, and outdoor tables along the property. The staff offers wine by the glass, bottle, and flights.

The “dog winery” nickname is part of the charm. You might see dogs there. If you love animal-friendly places, this is a fun detail. If you don’t, it’s still probably not something that disrupts your tasting—it’s just part of the feel.

This winery’s lineup includes grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The big show-stoppers are described as Pinot Secco (a bubbly Pinot Grigio) and a Pinot Secco Rosé, which is often called out as a favorite pick.

What you pay for: $99 value with samples included, upgrades optional

At $99 per person, this tour is priced like a “pay once and relax” day. The key value is what’s bundled:

• Air-conditioned luxury SUV
• Expert wine tour guides
• Wine samples/splashes are available during the tour (flights, bottles, and food are extra)

Admission tickets are listed as free for each stop. That matters because many wine tours quietly charge you for tasting access and then call the “wine” part the highlight. Here, your access to sample tastings is built in.

You should still expect to spend money on your own preferences. Flights, bottles, and food aren’t included. The tour is set up so you can try enough to make choices. If you know you’ll buy a bottle anyway, this tour can feel like a smart shortcut—you’re tasting multiple places with guidance instead of driving around searching for what you might like.

There’s also a group incentive: groups over 6 get a complimentary bottle of wine (varieties depend on availability). That’s a meaningful perk for bigger groups because it offsets at least part of the day’s additional purchases.

Guide-led touring: why this feels more like a VIP lesson

You’re not just chauffeured. The guides are part educator, part host.

In the recent experiences tied to this company, Mike is consistently described as safe, smooth, and attentive—checking in at each stop and sharing suggestions so you don’t feel aimless. Tony is also mentioned as personable and knowledgeable, and Kyle shows up as someone who takes care of guests and keeps the day from feeling rushed. There are also named examples like Tracy and Bryan, and the tour has a fun driver nicknamed Magic Mike.

The practical difference is pacing. A good guide helps you hit the right order, choose the right flights, and keep the day moving without the “go go go” vibe you see elsewhere.

Also, if you’re car-sick prone, ask about seating. One guest noted that Mike offered the front seat to help with motion comfort. That small thing can change how much you enjoy the day.

Downtown Traverse City time: plan dinner before you pour too much

Here’s the easiest mistake to make: you finish wine tastings and then realize you didn’t reserve a dinner plan. This tour helps, but you still need to think ahead.

The company notes that afternoon traffic gets heavy. For afternoon/sunset tours, I’d treat it like this:

• Get downtown early via hotel shuttles or Uber.
• Then head to the Hardy Street pickup point.
• After the tour, you’re dropped back in the downtown area where you can continue the night.

If you buy a box of wine or bottles during the tour, you can still enjoy downtown right away and pick up your wine the next day. That’s handy if you want dinner and dessert without hauling bags all over town.

If you want an easy flow: keep dinner reservations flexible near downtown, and plan a slower start the next day for collecting purchases and doing more strolling.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different style)

This experience is a great match for:

• Couples who want scenic Old Mission Peninsula stops without driving
• Small groups that prefer semi-private comfort over bus crowds
• Wine-and-spirits fans who want variety (especially with the distillery stop)
• First-timers who want help choosing what to drink instead of guessing

It might be less ideal if:

• You want strict certainty on exact wineries every time (the tour selection can shift with availability and weather)
• Your group wants food included in the price (flights and meals are extra)
• You’re planning a super tight schedule that can’t handle 4 to 5 hours of touring time

Should you book Movie Stars Wine Tours?

If you’re aiming for a quality Traverse City wine and distillery day with pickup that keeps you close to downtown, I’d book this. The $99 price makes sense because samples and access are built in, and you’re paying for the guidance plus the ride. The luxury SUV setup also removes one of the biggest annoyances in wine country touring: starting the day tired.

Book it if you like learning what’s in your glass, you care about comfortable transportation, and you want Old Mission Peninsula wineries with a friendly, human pace. Just build your expectations around a flexible stop set and remember: the tastings are included, but your personal bottles and snacks are on you.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $99.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 4 to 5 hours.

Where do I meet the tour for pickup?

Pickup is at Hardy Street Parking Structure on the east side, near the State Street entrance by Middlecoast Brewery.

Do they use a bus?

No. The tour uses a non-bus setup with a luxury SUV (like a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban), and a Cadillac Escalade is listed as coming soon.

How many wineries do you visit?

For day tours, it’s typically 4 wineries. Sunset tours usually go to 3 wineries plus Old Mission Distillery.

Which wineries are included?

Your stops can include Hawthorne Vineyards, Bonobo Winery, Old Mission Distilling, and Bowers Harbor Vineyards. Bowers Harbor is described as seasonal and may be an alternate stop.

Are wine samples included?

Wine samples or splashes are available on the tour. Flights, bottles, and food are extra.

Is pickup available for groups?

The tour offers pickup for Movie Star Experience guests, and for groups they also pick up at some local downtown Traverse City locations if you email or text your location.

Are group discounts available?

Yes, group discounts are listed as available. Groups of 6 or more are also noted as often being private, and they can suggest tour stops.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, there is no refund.

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