NON BUS MOVIE STARS Traverse City Old Mission 4 Winery Tour

The first thing to know is that this is a wine tour built around avoiding the usual wine-tour hassle. You ride in a GMC Yukon or similar luxury SUV, not a crowded party bus, and the 10:30 AM start aims to get you to the first winery before larger groups arrive. I like the downtown pickup and the chance to reach four Old Mission Peninsula wineries without driving after drinking.

I also like the personal guide service. Mike, Joe, Jason, Tracy, and Andie are presented as wine-focused guides rather than simple drivers, and their roles include helping with winery choices and wine recommendations. The main consideration is that the exact wineries are not fixed, and afternoon tours visit only three wineries plus an optional distillery.

Key points at a glance

• Luxury SUV transport: Ride in a GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, or another upscale SUV instead of a party bus.
• Four winery stops: The daytime tour visits four Old Mission Peninsula wineries in about 4.5 hours.
• Wine samples included: Tastings or splashes are covered, but full flights, bottles, food, and snacks cost extra.
• Early timing helps: The 10:30 AM pickup is designed to reach the first winery around 11 AM, before many buses.
• Flexible pickup: Meet at the Hardy Street Parking Structure, or arrange pickup from some downtown Traverse City locations.
• Small-group feel: Couples may be combined, while groups of six or seven will most likely have their own SUV.

Why the no-bus approach matters

Old Mission Peninsula is a natural fit for a wine tour. You can look out over vineyard country and water while someone else handles the road, parking, and timing. The trouble with many wine tours is the vehicle itself: a large group, repeated stops, loud conversation, and a long wait every time people load back in.

This tour takes a different approach. Movie Stars Wine Tours uses luxury SUVs, including GMC Yukons and Chevrolet Suburbans, with Cadillac Escalades listed as an upcoming vehicle option. That gives you a quieter ride and a more relaxed setting for a small group.

I would pay attention to the group details when booking. This is not automatically a private tour for every booking. Couples can be combined with other couples, so the experience is described as semi-private. Groups of six or more will most likely have their own GMC Yukon, which makes this a particularly good match for friends or family traveling together.

The vehicle choice matters most if you dislike party buses or have limited time in Traverse City. You are not walking to a remote parking lot, and you are not left to drive yourself back into town after tasting wine. Pickup and drop-off are centered on downtown Traverse City, with some local hotel and motel drop-offs available after the tour.

Meeting in downtown Traverse City at 10:30

The standard daytime meeting point is the east side of the Hardy Street Parking Structure, near the State Street entrance and next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company. It is across from the Park Place Hotel. Look for the GMC Yukons or other luxury SUVs.

The pickup time for the day tour is 10:30 AM. The stated plan is to arrive at the first winery around 11 AM, before the larger bus groups are out in force. That early start can make a real difference on a busy weekend, when a tasting room may feel much calmer at the opening part of the day.

You can also choose an afternoon or sunset tour, with a listed pickup time of 3:30 PM. The later option changes the rhythm. Instead of four wineries, you visit three wineries and may add an optional distillery. That can suit you if you prefer a slower morning, want to explore downtown first, or like the idea of finishing with late-day views.

Pickup from some downtown locations can be arranged by email or text. Confirm your exact location before the tour, since the Hardy Street structure is the default meeting point unless another place is specified.

Four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

The daytime route visits four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula. The specific names are not fixed in advance. Selection depends on availability, your group’s preferences, weather, and the season.

That flexibility is useful if you already have a favorite winery in mind. Tell your guide your wish list at the start. The company works with several wineries on the peninsula, so the route can be adjusted when conditions allow.

It also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of four named estates. If one winery is full, weather changes, or the season affects opening schedules, the guide may choose another location. I see that as a fair trade for flexibility, but it is worth knowing before you pay.

At each stop, you can sample local wines while taking in the setting. The experience is designed to give you a taste of Traverse City wine country rather than focus on one estate or one style of wine. Because the stops can change, the guide’s role becomes important. Mike, Joe, Jason, Tracy, and Andie are named guides associated with the tours, and the company places emphasis on wine recommendations as well as transport.

The strongest praise centers on this part of the service. Joe is noted for his understanding of the wineries and region, while Jason is described as attentive at each stop and helpful with wine suggestions. Andie is praised for both wine-tasting knowledge and a fun approach. Those details suggest that you can expect more help than simply being dropped at a tasting room and told when to return.

What happens at a typical stop

The supplied details do not name a fixed order or provide a separate description for each winery, so I would think of the four stops as four chances to compare tasting rooms, views, and wine lists across the peninsula.

Your guide handles the timing and transportation between them. At the winery, wine samples or splashes are included in the tour price. You can buy a larger flight, a bottle, food, or snacks separately. That distinction matters because the $89 price is not an all-inclusive food-and-wine tab.

If you find a bottle you want to take home, the company says that is not a problem. You can continue exploring downtown after the tour and collect the wine the next day, rather than trying to carry a box around town immediately after the vehicle drop-off.

The scenery is part of the appeal. Several comments specifically praise the views and the peaceful atmosphere. Old Mission Peninsula offers the kind of open setting that makes the drive between stops part of the day, not just dead time between tastings.

Wine guidance from people who know the area

The company describes its guides as wine enthusiasts and wine experts with years in the local wine business. The owner and some guides are University of Michigan graduates, while some guides attended Michigan State University. The owner is also a former law-enforcement officer, and the business presents itself as friendly to law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel.

I would treat the guide quality as one of the main reasons to choose this tour. A driver who only knows the route can get you from one winery to the next. A wine guide can help you decide what to taste, explain why one stop may suit your preferences, and adjust the day when your group wants something different.

The individual names are useful because service can vary by guide on any tour. Mike receives repeated praise for his personality, care, and local knowledge. Jason is described as prompt, polite, and attentive. Andie is praised for making the day enjoyable while explaining wine tasting. Tracy is remembered for creating a relaxed, funny group experience.

No guide can control every winery’s wait time or wine list. Still, a good guide can keep the day moving and help you avoid wasting time. The early start and local winery connections work together here.

The afternoon and sunset version

The later tour begins at 3:30 PM. It includes three wineries and an optional distillery rather than the four winery stops on the daytime tour.

This is a good choice if four wineries feels like too much, or if you want a later start. It may also work well for a celebration after a morning in town. You should know that the distillery is optional and that the sunset tour is not the same itinerary as the day tour.

The benefit is a shorter list of stops with a later mood. The drawback is simple: you get one fewer winery. If your main goal is to compare as many tasting rooms as possible, choose the daytime tour.

What the $89 price really covers

At $89 per person, this tour is priced as a transport-and-guidance experience, not as a package that covers every purchase you make during the day.

Included are:

• Air-conditioned SUV transportation
• Pickup and drop-off in the downtown Traverse City area, subject to location
• A live English-speaking guide
• Wine samples or splashes
• Four winery visits on the standard daytime tour
• Small-group or semi-private service

Not included are full flights, bottles, food, snacks, and other alcohol purchases. If you plan to buy several bottles or eat at the wineries, budget for those separately.

I think the value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need a designated driver, rental car, or taxi between several wineries. You are paying for a vehicle that handles the peninsula route, a guide who can help shape the stops, and the convenience of downtown pickup. The price is less compelling if you only want one tasting room or already have a car and a sober driver.

There is also a small bonus for groups of six or more: a free bottle of wine, either Gamay or Secco, depending on availability. That is a nice extra for a group booking, though I would not choose the tour solely for the bottle.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This tour fits you well if you want wine country without a big bus. It is especially suitable for couples, small friend groups, birthday outings, and visitors staying in or near downtown Traverse City.

You will probably appreciate it if:

• You want to avoid driving after tastings.
• You prefer SUVs to party buses.
• You like having a guide help choose or explain wineries.
• You want four stops in a half-day.
• You are staying downtown and value pickup close to your hotel.
• You want a flexible route rather than a fixed list of wineries.

It may be less suitable if you need a fully private vehicle for a very small booking, want exact wineries guaranteed, or expect all wine and food purchases to be included. The tour is semi-private by default, and the route can change.

The fancy wine-drinking hat suggestion is clearly part of the company’s playful personality. You do not need one to enjoy the tour, but the relaxed tone may appeal to you more than a formal, lecture-heavy wine outing.

Timing, comfort, and practical details

The stated duration is 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. That is enough time for four daytime winery stops, but it is not an all-day excursion with long meals or extended time at each estate.

Wear something comfortable for riding and walking around tasting rooms. The vehicles are air-conditioned, which helps in warm weather. Wine tasting can add up quickly, so you may want to pace yourself and use the included samples as a way to decide what deserves a larger pour or bottle purchase.

Tell the guide if you have a winery preference. Since availability, weather, and season affect the route, early communication gives the guide a better chance to work your choice into the day.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Traverse City plans depend on weather, hotel timing, or changing group schedules.

My take: should you book it?

I would book this tour if your priority is comfortable transportation, a small group, and guide-led winery choices. The best parts are practical: downtown pickup, no party bus, four stops on the daytime route, and wine samples included in the price.

The main tradeoff is uncertainty over the exact wineries and the fact that food, bottles, and full tasting flights cost extra. If you need a fixed winery lineup, check before booking. If you want a relaxed way to see Old Mission Peninsula without assigning anyone in your group to drive, the $89 price makes good sense.

Choose the 10:30 AM tour when you want four wineries and an early start. Choose the 3:30 PM version when you prefer three wineries, a later departure, and the option of a distillery. Either way, expect a more personal ride than a standard bus tour, with the quality of the day shaped heavily by your guide and the available wineries.

FAQ

How much does the Old Mission Peninsula wine tour cost?

The tour costs $89 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours.

How many wineries does the daytime tour visit?

The daytime tour visits four wineries on Old Mission Peninsula.

Are wine tastings included?

Wine samples or splashes are included. Full flights, bottles, food, snacks, and other alcohol purchases cost extra.

Where is the meeting point?

The standard meeting point is the east side of the Hardy Street Parking Structure near the State Street entrance, next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company and across from the Park Place Hotel. Look for the luxury SUVs.

Does the tour pick up at hotels?

Pickup and drop-off are available in downtown Traverse City, and some local hotel or motel pickups can be arranged. Contact the company with your location.

Is the tour private?

Private or small-group options are available, but the standard tour is semi-private and may combine couples or other small groups. Groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle.