Four wineries, zero driving stress. This Leelanau Peninsula day trip rolls into a set of popular wineries where you get free admission at each stop and samples are built in. It’s a great way to see northern Michigan wine country without turning the day into a traffic-and-parking scavenger hunt.

I especially like the small-group feel. You’re in a luxury SUV (GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban), and it’s set up as a NON PARTY BUS that blends couples and small groups (often 6–7) rather than one huge crowd.

One thing to consider: the tour price covers the ride, guide time, and tasting samples, but flights, bottles, and food cost extra once you’re at the wineries.

Key things that make this tour work

• NON PARTY BUS pacing: semi-private setup (often 6–7 people) that feels more like a day out than a factory schedule
• Included wine samples/splashes at the stops, with admission ticket free for each winery stop
• Tour guide Andie: the kind of guide who helps you pick wines that match your tastes, not just the winery’s “house favorites”
• Four distinct styles across the peninsula: Muscat and Blaufränkisch, estate blends, and classic Suttons Bay stops
• Comfort in a real vehicle: air-conditioned luxury SUV for the full ~4 hours 30 minutes

What NON BUS really means in Traverse City

This is not a giant party bus. It’s a semi-private setup designed to keep your day from feeling crowded, rushed, or impersonal. The company calls it NON PARTY BUS, and in practice that means you’ll usually be grouped with couples and small parties (often 6–7) rather than a long line of strangers.

The vehicle matters here. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned luxury SUV like a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, which helps when you’re moving between winery roads that can run warm, twisty, and slow. With a maximum of 22 travelers on the tour, the whole day stays easier to manage than the big, all-at-once style tours.

Also worth noting: the winery lineup can shift. The tour guides choose stops based on availability, special events, and the weather, so you should treat the “four wineries” idea as the constant, not the exact same lineup every day.

Price and value: $199 for a tasting day, not a full meal-and-bottle bill

At $199 per person for about 4 hours 30 minutes, you’re paying for transportation, expert guide time, and the core tasting experience. The price also gives you entry value at each stop: the winery stops are listed as admission ticket free. On top of that, wine samples/splashes are available during the tour.

What you should budget for is what’s not included. Flights, bottles, and food are extra at the wineries. So if you picture this as a day where you order multiple flights and take home a case, you’ll need to plan extra spending beyond the tour ticket.

The payoff is that you don’t waste your time figuring out who to call, where to park, or whether you’re getting to the tasting room too late. If you want the tasting part of the day without the logistics part, the pricing starts to make sense fast—especially on a short, four-and-a-half-hour window.

The 4-winery route: what to expect in pacing and tasting time

You’ll move through four winery stops, with about 50 minutes at each one. That timing is useful because it gives you enough time to sit, taste, and ask questions without feeling stuck forever at one location. It also keeps the day feeling like a loop: taste, drive a short stretch, taste again.

Because the lineup can adjust with the day’s conditions, I’d plan your mindset like this: you’re signing up for a curated mix of Leelanau Peninsula wineries with free admission and included samples. Then you get to enjoy the specific wines each stop offers—some are built around grape variety experiences, others are about estate character.

One practical tip: since food isn’t included, I’d arrive having eaten something solid. Your tasting pace will feel better, and you’ll enjoy the full range of flavors instead of getting “wine-tired” early in the afternoon.

Stop 1: Shady Lane Cellars and its Roman-era Muscat connection

Shady Lane Cellars is a boutique-style stop focused on producing about 7,000 cases per year. That scale shows up in the feel: you’re not dealing with a busy road view or lots of close neighbors. The property is described as an old chicken coup turned into something far more elegant, and the setting includes nature, vineyards, and orchards.

This is also a winery stop built around the idea of grape variety discovery. If you like reds, you can look for a sample of Blaufränkisch. If you prefer whites, Shady Lane is especially interesting because it offers a Muscat, and the winery story says this grape was the first brought to Europe by the conquering Romans.

There’s a comfortable outdoor patio area too, with cozy views of the adjacent vineyards. That patio detail is a big deal in Leelanau Peninsula wineries because it turns tasting into more of a slow conversation than a quick sip-and-go.

Keep in mind: admission is free as part of the tour, but flights, bottles, and wine by the glass are extra. If you want to go deep on Muscat or compare a couple of white styles, that’s when you’ll open your wallet.

Stop 2: Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate and those high-point views

Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate is perched on what’s described as the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula. That matters because it turns your tasting time into a view experience, not just a room experience. If you’re the type who likes pairing wine with geography, this stop is built for you.

The story here leans into family farming and a northern Michigan identity, including Irish ancestry. The winery’s focus is estate-grown grapes—so you’re tasting wines connected to the land rather than coming from everywhere and anywhere.

A couple of wine mentions help you know what to look for. The stop includes a blend called Fiona Runda, made from Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. There’s also a rare Michigan-grown Sauvignon Blanc that you can look out for.

If you like red blends, there’s a Cab Franc / Merlot option listed as a 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot blend. That kind of pairing detail helps you make faster decisions when you’re at the tasting table, especially if you’re sharing a table with someone who wants reds and you want whites.

At this stop, expect the kind of finish that makes the whole tour feel worth it. The views are specifically described as breathtaking, so even if you’re not a “scenery person,” you’ll probably feel it.

Stop 3: Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay since 1998

Black Star Farms is one of the most famous names in this area, and the tour description points you to the original 160-acre winery estate in Suttons Bay. It’s set in the rural farmland of the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas, so you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the real geography of Northern Michigan wine country—not just pulling into a tasting room parking lot.

The estate has been creating guest experiences since 1998, which often translates into a sense of maturity: this is a stop that knows how to host people and guide them through wines and spirits. At this stop, you can explore locally grown and crafted wines and spirits.

Because this tour is built around about 50 minutes at each stop, it’s a great moment to slow down and pick one or two things rather than trying to sample everything. If you’re shopping for a “one bottle to remember” wine later, Black Star Farms is the kind of place where you can often narrow your taste quickly.

Again, admission ticket is free as part of the tour, but flights and bottles are extra. If you’re going to buy anything, this is one of the easiest stops to justify, since it’s part of the tour’s big-name lineup.

Stop 4: Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, estate-grown and family-made

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery brings you into a more hands-on, process-focused style of tasting. The tour description emphasizes that from vine work to bottling and labeling, the family participates in the full chain of production. That means you’re tasting something that’s tied to how the grapes were grown and handled, not just a label on the shelf.

The winery is described as estate grown and family made, and it’s been established since 1995. The stop highlights that the family grows and maintains the vines, crushes grapes, does barrel aging, and then handles bottling and labeling. That’s a lot of control in one family operation, and it can make your questions at the tasting table more interesting.

Because wine by the glass, bottles, flights, and wine club options are available for purchase, this is also a stop where you can build your own take-home plan. If your tastes have shifted across the day—from Muscat curiosity to red variety focus—this final stop is a good place to test what you’re most drawn to.

The timing helps too. Ending with a winery that’s built around the “how it’s made” story gives you a clean way to reflect on the flavors you liked most throughout the tour.

How to get the most out of your 4.5-hour day

This tour runs about 4 hours 30 minutes and includes four separate tasting room visits. That’s long enough to enjoy multiple styles, but short enough that you’ll want to taste with intention.

Here’s how I’d approach it if you want the best balance between exploring and not feeling rushed:

• Have a simple plan for yourself: decide in advance if you’re primarily a white drinker, a red drinker, or a “one of each” person. The guide can help you execute that.
• Start light. The included samples/splashes get you rolling, and you can always upgrade to flights if something really clicks.
• Ask smart questions. If a stop offers something specific—like Shady Lane’s Muscat or Rove’s Fiona Runda—ask what makes that wine different from their other options.
• Pace your purchases. With time at four locations, it’s easy to overspend early. If you still want a bottle at the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you actually want.

If you’re traveling from Traverse City, the whole point is to let someone else drive while you focus on tastings and conversation. That’s also where a good guide adds value: when you’re picking wines that match your tastes, it makes the day feel personal rather than educational homework.

Who this tour suits best

This tour fits best if you want a relaxed, well-paced way to experience the Leelanau Peninsula without doing the driving work yourself. I’d also point it toward people who like a guide-led day and appreciate having their tasting decisions supported.

It’s especially good for:

• Couples who want a semi-private feel and a clear, easy route across multiple wineries
• Small groups that don’t want a massive bus experience
• Wine lovers who enjoy variety—Muscat and Blaufränkisch, estate blends, and classic well-known stops

It may not be perfect if you’re expecting a fully catered food-and-wine day. Food, flights, and bottles are extra, and you’ll want to budget accordingly. It’s also not the right choice if you want time to linger for long meals or buy heavily at every stop.

Should you book Andie’s NON BUS Leelanau Peninsula wine tour?

Yes, if you want a smart way to taste across four standout wineries with included samples, free admission at the stops, and comfortable transportation. The structure is built for a short vacation day: four stops, roughly 50 minutes each, guided tastings, and a smooth return to the meeting point.

I’d book it when you value logistics-free fun more than you value a slow, “do one winery all afternoon” schedule. If you go in expecting the $199 to cover the tasting experience (and treat flights and bottles as your optional extras), it’s a strong value.

If you tell me when you’re visiting and what you like to drink (reds, whites, or a mix), I can suggest how to plan your order of preferences for these specific stops.

FAQ

What is the duration of this Traverse City wine tour?

It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes.

What wineries are included on the tour?

The tour visits four wineries, including Shady Lane Cellars, Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate, Black Star Farms, and Ciccone Vineyard & Winery. The exact lineup can change based on availability, special events, and weather.

Are wine samples included in the price?

Yes. Wine samples or splashes are available during the tour at the stops. Flights, bottles, and food are not included and cost extra.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered. The tour also notes that due to 2025 construction projects, guests staying on the Leelanau Peninsula are strongly encouraged to wine tour in Leelanau County.

What kind of vehicle do you use?

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned luxury SUV, such as a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes within 24 hours aren’t accepted, and cancellations less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t refunded.

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