NON BUS Chateau Chantal Hawthorne Traverse City Wine Tour

Indulge in an intimate and luxurious wine tour of Traverse City's scenic vineyards, savoring guided tastings and stunning views at three renowned wineries.

The Non-Bus Chateau Chantal Hawthorne Traverse City Wine Tour offers an intimate and luxurious experience exploring the scenic wine country of Traverse City. Over 4.5 hours, guests visit three renowned wineries, savoring guided tastings and stunning vineyard views. While the tour provides personalized attention from expert wine guides, it also leaves visitors intrigued to discover more about the vibrant wine scene that makes this region a premier destination.

Key Points

  • This is a VIP wine tour experience in Traverse City, visiting Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, and Hawthorne Vineyards.
  • The tour includes guided winery tours, wine and champagne tastings, and food tastings, with luxury transportation in air-conditioned SUVs.
  • Prices start at $349 per person, with tiered pricing based on group size, and a "reserve now, pay later" option with free cancellation.
  • The tour features stunning vineyard views, an immersive experience with expert wine connoisseurs, and a comparative tasting at Hawthorne Vineyards.
  • The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or individuals with back problems, and fancy wine-drinking hats are highly encouraged.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Chateau Chantal Wine Tour offers visitors a VIP experience exploring the Traverse City wine scene.

The 4.5-hour tour visits three wineries, including the renowned Chateau Chantal. Prices start at $349 per person, with tiered pricing based on group size. A "reserve now, pay later" option is available, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour includes guided winery tours, wine and champagne tastings, and food tastings. Transportation is provided in luxury SUVs, and expert wine guides accompany guests throughout the experience.

Itinerary and Locations

The Chateau Chantal Wine Tour begins at the starting location of 303 E State St, which is the Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn.

The 4.5-hour itinerary includes guided tours, wine tastings, and champagne tastings at three local wineries.

First, guests visit Chateau Chantal for an 80-minute experience. Next, they travel to Chateau Grand Traverse for a 1-hour tour featuring wine, champagne, and food tastings.

The final stop is Hawthorne Vineyards, where guests enjoy a 1-hour guided tour and tastings.

The tour ends back at the starting point of 303 E State St. Wineries may change due to weather and availability.

Tour Experience and Highlights

Sipping and savoring wines from three spectacular wineries with expert wine connoisseurs serves as the centerpiece of this immersive Chateau Chantal Wine Tour.

Guided cellar tours and wine-tasting experiences at each winery allow guests to marvel at stunning vineyard views at Chateau Chantal, known for its Ice Wine featured at a White House dinner.

Visitors enjoy a flight or glass of wine with panoramic views at Chateau Chantal before ending at Hawthorne Vineyards for a comparative tasting.

This VIP tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Traverse City’s renowned wine scene.

Transportation and Amenities

Luxury transportation in the form of air-conditioned SUVs, including GMC Yukons/Chevrolet Suburbans and the soon-to-be-added Cadillac Escalades, shuttles guests between the three wineries on this VIP tour.

The semi-private tours combine couples and small groups, typically 6-7 people per SUV, ensuring a more personalized experience.

The expert wine tour guides, all local Traverse City graduates, provide in-depth knowledge and insight throughout the journey.

While wine samples are included, costs for tastings, wines, and food are extra.

This isn’t a party bus – no smoking or alcoholic drinks are allowed in the vehicle.

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Important Information for Participants

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

Participants should meet at the East side of the Hardy Street Parking Structure near the State Street entrance. Comfortable shoes, a camera, sunscreen, and water are recommended.

Smoking and alcoholic drinks are prohibited in the vehicle. Fancy wine-drinking hats are highly encouraged.

The tour is flexible, and customers may request different wineries. Groups of 5 or more will receive a luxury SUV for their transportation.

Chateau Chantal

Chateau Chantal stands as the centerpiece of this VIP wine tour, alluring visitors with its picturesque estate and award-winning vintages.

As part of the tour, guests enjoy a guided exploration of the winery, including:

  • A tasting of Chateau Chantal’s renowned ice wine, which has been featured at a White House dinner.

  • A guided champagne tasting, allowing guests to savor the sparkling elegance of the winery’s bubbly offerings.

  • The opportunity to sip a glass of wine while admiring the stunning vineyard views that have made Chateau Chantal a Traverse City icon.

Chateau Grand Traverse

After the visually stunning experience at Chateau Chantal, the tour moves on to Chateau Grand Traverse.

Guests enjoy a guided tour, wine tasting, champagne tasting, and food tasting during the 1-hour stop.

Chateau Grand Traverse is known for its picturesque vineyard views and diverse wine offerings. Visitors can compare the wines and experiences at the two wineries, noting the unique characteristics of each.

The tour provides an opportunity to savor Chateau Grand Traverse’s wines and gain insights from the expert guide about the winery’s history and production methods.

Hawthorne Vineyards

After departing Chateau Grand Traverse, the tour arrives at Hawthorne Vineyards, the final stop on the Traverse City wine experience.

Guests embark on a guided tour, learning about the winery’s history and winemaking processes.

The tasting includes:

  • A flight of Hawthorne’s signature wines

  • A sampling of their award-winning champagne

  • Comparison tastings with the prominent Chateau Chantal wines

As the tour wraps up, participants have the opportunity to purchase bottles or join the Hawthorne wine club, capping off an immersive exploration of Traverse City’s renowned wine scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There an Option to Visit Additional Wineries Beyond the 3 Listed?

Yes, the tour is flexible, and customers may request to visit different wineries beyond the 3 listed. The itinerary can be customized to accommodate the group’s preferences, subject to availability and weather conditions.

Can We Bring Our Own Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages on the Tour?

Participants can bring their own non-alcoholic beverages and snacks on the tour. However, the tour does not allow smoking or alcoholic drinks in the vehicle. The wineries provide wine samples, but any additional wine or food purchases are extra.

What Is the Cancellation Policy if We Need to Modify the Tour Date?

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can also request to modify the tour date, subject to availability and any price differences.

Are Group Discounts Available for Larger Parties Beyond 6-7 People?

Yes, the tour offers discounted pricing for larger groups. Groups of 5 or more receive a luxury SUV, and the per-person price is tiered based on group size, with larger groups receiving a better per-person rate.

Can We Request a Private Tour Instead of a Semi-Private One?

Yes, customers can request a private tour instead of a semi-private one. Larger groups of 5 or more receive a luxury SUV, and the wineries visited can be flexible based on the customer’s preferences.

The Sum Up

The Non-Bus Chateau Chantal Hawthorne Traverse City Wine Tour offers an exceptional opportunity to explore Traverse City’s renowned wine country. With personalized attention, stunning vineyard views, and guided tastings at three premier wineries, this tour provides an intimate and luxurious experience that’s perfect for small groups seeking to create memorable moments in this vibrant wine destination.

You can check availability for your dates here: