Page not found – Wine and Beer Tours https://wineandbeertours.com Template Site Wed, 02 Feb 2022 18:45:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wineandbeertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/favicon_04_iZO_icon.ico Page not found – Wine and Beer Tours https://wineandbeertours.com 32 32 TCWB’S TOP SPOTS OF 2021 https://wineandbeertours.com/tcwbs-top-spots-of-2021/ https://wineandbeertours.com/tcwbs-top-spots-of-2021/#comments Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:11:17 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=10476 Rain drops on roses, and whiskers on kittens…*cue Julie Andrews frolicking through a meadow*

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You get the idea. We’ve got some favorite things and favorite spots right here in Traverse City that we’d like to share with you!

At Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours, we are supporters of everything LOCAL and love the community we get to show off to our clients. Take a peek below at some of our favorite spots from the Traverse City area – they might just inspire your next visit, and make your list of “favorite things”.

FAVORITE BAKERY

Potter’s Bakery, 8th Street, TC

Does one really need a reason to have a fav bakery? Donuts, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, oh my! Our favorite sweet is the “Chicken leg” a cream-filled donut dusted with sweet coconut, shaped like a chicken leg.

FAVORITE DISTILLERY

Mammoth Distillery, Warehouse District, Downtown TC

Eclectic + traditional craft cocktails, and delicious small-batch spirits, with a cozy atmosphere. Try the “honey bee” – a gin cocktail featuring honey simple syrup + lemon. A truly refreshing elixir!

FAVORITE WINERIES (and most popular with our tours)

Bonobo Winery, Old Mission Peninsula

Rove Estate Winery, Leelanau Peninsula

Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Old Mission Peninsula

Just like a parent – we aren’t supposed to choose favorites, but if we had to pick three wineries we love in the office, these would be it. Great wines, great views, and great spaces to enjoy!

FAVORITE BREWERIES (and most popular with our tours)

Silver Spruce Brewery, TC

Right Brain Brewery, TC

Brewery Terra Firma, TC

Tasty + innovative brews, comfortable atmospheres, and space to move around!

FAVORITE DINNER SPOT

Red Ginger, Front Street, Downtown TC

Delicious Asian-fusion cuisine paired with an edgy, modern atmosphere.

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT

Poppycocks, Front Street, Downtown TC

Farm-to-table, eclectic cuisine, and the pita chips are to die for!

FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT

Red Spire Brunch House, Grand Traverse Commons – Mercato

Traditional breakfast options with flare in a historic, cozy setting. Red Spire is one of few breakfast eateries in town where you can order a cocktail with your pancakes. Bon appétit!

FAVORITE SHOPPING CENTRE

Grand Traverse Commons – Mercato

The old state hospital gives way to unique shopping + dining experiences.

FAVORITE COCKTAIL BAR

Low Bar, Union Street, Downtown TC

Classic cocktails and unique concoctions in a moody, speakeasy atmosphere.

FAVORITE WAY TO END THE DAY

A sunset stroll along West Bay Marina + through Clinch Park

Cocktails overlooking West Bay at the rooftop bar at Hotel Indigo

 

Did any of YOUR favorites make the list?

 

 

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Bachelorette Party FAQs https://wineandbeertours.com/bachelorette-party-faqs/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:54:17 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=10366 ATTENTION BACHELORETTES!

Look no further for the perfect “fling before the ring” experience than with Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours!

Tis’ the season for “rose all day”, “pop the champagne, I’m changing my last name” and all those extra fun things. Most importantly, we are coming up on our Bachelorette party season, and welcome you to take part in what surely will be an exciting couple months!

Trying to plan a Bachelorette tour? We have the tour for you!

We have 18 unique vehicles to choose from. Our most popular with Bachelorette parties are:

  • DODGE DURANGO STRETCH LIMO (up to 12 passengers)
  • TRANSIT LIMO BUS (up to 10 passengers)
  • BABY FUNK (up to 10 passengers)
  • FUNKY BUS #1 (up to 10 passengers)
  • FUNK BUS #3 (up to 20 passengers)
  • STARCRAFT LIMO BUS (16-26 passengers)
  • HOMETOWN TROLLEY (up to 32 passengers)

Q: Which vehicle would be a good choice for my group?

Here are our recommendations: 

For the traditional + elegant Bride: HOMETOWN TROLLEY

For the eclectic + colorful Bride: BABY FUNK -or- FUNKY BUS #1 -or- FUNKY BUS #3

For the modern + snazzy Bride: TRANSIT LIMO BUS -or- STARCRAFT LIMO BUS

For the stylish + party-centric Bride: DODGE DURANGO STRETCH LIMO

Q: Do we get to choose the venues we go to?

Once your tour is booked, we’ll ask you about the venues you’d like to visit. We can take you to wineries, breweries or distilleries. The choice is up to you. Our only limitation lies with group size. In most cases, we’ll to make the schedule for you, based on which venues can accommodate a group of a larger size (larger than 14). Most venues are now accepting groups of 6-10 people, which will make your life as the party planner (and our lives as your Chauffeur) much easier.

Q: How long is a tour?

Our tours all start at 4-hour time frames, typically running from 10:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., or 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. In those 4 hours, we’ll take you to 3 awesome venues!

The price of your tour includes your transportation, driver, and driver tip for the day. It does not include any purchases you make at the venues we go to. You can budget additionally to spend anywhere from $12-$25 at each venue on beverages. Should you choose, you can make your tour longer by adding additional hours. Each additional hour means we’d visit another venue (ex: a 5-hour tour would visit 4 venues).

Depending on your pickup location, we may suggest you meet us somewhere in Traverse City for a local pickup (if you are way out of the city limits), or add additional hours to your tour, if available.

Q: What should we wear?

Our Bachelorette parties like to wear matching outfits, or plan fun color schemes, but it’s entirely up to you what you’d like to wear. We’ve had Brides ride our Funky Busses and plan a 70s theme for their outfits. We’ve also seen Brides wear cute sashes and tiaras. They sky’s the limit with bridal fashion!

tour bus funky bus

Here are some of our clothing recommendations:

Dress comfortably, with comfortable shoes! Oftentimes, heels aren’t the best idea at wineries where you will be walking through loose gravel, grass, or trying to climb flights of stairs. Though super cute, consider a flatter shoe or wedge to make getting around easier.

Lots of Brides like their party to match, with fun t-shirts, tank tops, crop tops and custom accessories. We can help with that! Browse our fully customizable swag options HERE, and view our newest custom apparel ideas for Bachelorette’s here: Bachelorette Swag

Group of women posed togetherGroup of women celebrating a bachelorette party wearing matching necklaces standing in front of a distillery

Q: What should we bring?

Most of our vehicles (except our Cadillacs) are alcohol friendly! That means you can bring a cooler with drinks and snacks along. Many of our Bachelorette parties like to pop a bottle of bubbly on the way to their first venue, or sip on a hard seltzer between stops. Whatever your poison, feel free to bring it along.

Bring your masks and photo IDs – these are two non-negotiable items!

Q: Do the wineries offer any private tasting experiences or tours?

Currently, many wineries are strictly offering wines-by-the glass, or flights of wines. Tours and private tasting experiences may be hard to find.

 

We hope our answers to your questions are helpful, and will bring you a step closer to booking a Bachelorette Party tour with TCWB! We’d love to party with you and your “bride tribe” and make your fling before the ring a unforgettable one!

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Everything You Need to Know About Touring During a Pandemic https://wineandbeertours.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-touring-during-a-pandemic/ Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:58:22 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=10326

With a pandemic still in the news, you may be thinking “going out for drinks” has become a thing of the past…

This is not true for the Traverse City area!

Wineries, breweries, AND distilleries are open again in Michigan. Though with reduced indoor guest capacity, and limits to group sizes, it can be hard to imagine the “fun” you could have on a tour, but we are here to tell you – You CAN still do a wine/beer/distillery tour, AND have a whole bunch of fun doing so. So much fun, you’ll forget the pandemic even exists! Of course, that could be the effect of your indulgences during your tour, but hey, we won’t judge.

Many venues in the Traverse City area have embraced a combination of outdoor and indoor seating to accommodate the many visitors who come to this beautiful region. With igloos, heated tents, patios, and spacious indoor seating, you’ll feel safe knowing your party won’t have to intermingle with strangers, and can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

How to Book your Tour:

Step 1: Call or text Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours (that’s us!)
Step 2: Tell us a little bit about you and your group! Keep in mind that most wineries are only accepting groups of 6-10 and under right now – so if you come at us with a group of 85 people wanting to do a wine tour for Grandpa’s 90th birthday, first off, we’ll be super impressed that Gramps is still slingin’ em’ back at 90, but second, we’ll most likely tell you that wouldn’t be an easy feat.
Step 3: Let TCWB do some heavy lifting! Depending on which type of tour you’d like to do and the availability of our vehicles, we’ll help you find a time and vehicle that works best for you, and help make appointments with venues that you’d like to go to. Click Private Tour or group Join-in Tour to explore touring options.
Step 4: Book that tour! Make whatever other arrangements you need to, and get up north so you can have some well-deserved, super prolonged, incredibly needed FUN.

Already booked your tour?

Here are our tips to make your touring experience a grand success:

  • Bring your mask – yes, you do have to wear a mask on our buses/vehicles (not while drinking, of course) and all venues require masks.
  • Bring your ID – we know you aren’t under 21, but that won’t matter when trying to drink or purchase alcohol. Plus, don’t you want people to see that awesome ID picture that you rolled out of bed and waited at the SOS for an hour for?
  • Bring snacks! – Bring whatever snacks you’d like to in our vehicles. Caviar? Peanut butter? An old Sandwich? Sure, bring them along! (Just do us a favor, share the caviar, toss the sandwich).
  • Dress for the weather – though wineries have inside seating, and we try our very best to get you inside seating, it is not guaranteed. So bring an extra layer or two, just in case. You can always leave your extra layers in the tour vehicle, should you not require them. Our drivers are trained to lock the vehicles when you aren’t in them, to keep all your goodies safe.
  • Most wineries have shifted to a menu of wine flights and wine-by-the glass only. Gone are the days of the quick single-sip tastings.
  • Please keep in mind, that the “appointments” we make for you at venues do not mean you have a reservation, and appointments do not move you to the front of the line. They simply let the venue know you are coming.

Though the way we are going out for drinks has changed, you can still indulge, and have fun on one of our many tours. We offer luxurious limousine style buses, a stretch limo, private Cadillac SUVs, spacious trolleys, and many other vehicles to meet your group’s needs and wants. Our fleet consists of 18 vehicles and a crew of professional drivers that want to have just as much fun as you do when you tour with us. Vehicles are booking fast for the 2021 season, so don’t wait!

                                                  

 

Planning to tour with us for your Bachelorette, Bachelor, birthday, or other special occasion?

Our custom swag offerings were recently updated to include lasting keepsakes like fully-customizable engraved cups, custom-printed t-shirts, tank tops, and custom signs to display while on your tour!

You can DESIGN YOUR OWN swag by following this link: https://www.tcwbmerch.com/tcwbmerch/shop/home

 

ATTENTION BACHELORETTES! View our latest apparel ideas for your fling before the ring: Bachelorette Swag

 

And last, but certainly not least, we came up with 7 GROOVY reasons to tour with us during a pandemic, because we know you’ve been cooped up and probably drinking alone way too much! Get some of your favorite folks together, upgrade your sweatpants for real pants, and start planning your tour with Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours today.

7 Groovy Reasons to Tour with Us:

  1. Custom Itinerary
  2. Free Vehicle Upgrades
  3. Custom swag + signs offered
  4. Pickup at your Location
  5. Free Dinner Shuttle
  6. Hassle Free Refunds
  7. Sanitation Standards

Click HERE to find out more about the 7 Reasons to Tour with Us.

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Winter Events and Wine Tours With Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours https://wineandbeertours.com/winter-events/ Mon, 30 Dec 2019 22:32:12 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=9414 Upcoming Winter Events with TCWB Tours!

As we mentioned in our last blog post there are so many amazing reasons to go on a wine tour with us in the winter! So, we wanted to share some exciting events going on up in Northern Michigan this winter, grab your tickets soon, these are events you definitely don’t want to miss!

Sips n’ Giggles New Years Eve With Leelanau Wine Trail, Tuesday, December 31 Early Show 7:30pm, Late Show 9:00pm @ Old Town Playhouse

Looking for some last-minute NYE plans? This event is always a blast and we’d love to pick you up and drop you off with all your friends and fam! Give us a call and learn more about our pricing and tours.

“Join us for hilariously fun during NYE Sips n Giggles Comedy Show paired with wines from Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and local brews. Featuring Andrew Norelli, as seen on Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Late with Craig Ferguson, TED Talks, Comedy Central, Sirius XM, The Bob & Tom Show, Comedy TV.”

Sips & Soups January 11th, 11 am-4 pm

Sips & Soups on Leelanau Peninsula

This 5-hour Group Tour includes your event ticket, transportation, tasting fees, and the gratuity for the driver.

Where do we go?

Multiple wineries on Leelanau Peninsula

How much does it cost?

$119 per person(includes transportation, tastings, food pairings, gratuity & custom wine bag)

What to bring:

Your I.D. if you plan to drink, even if you are way old enough, they will ask. A small cooler if you wish for food & drinks (alcohol is allowed on bus)

Pick Up Locations?

We pick up & drop off for free at any local Traverse City location.

Winter Warm-Up January 18th, 11 am-4 pm

Winter Warm-Up on Old Mission Peninsula

This 5-hour Group Tour includes your event ticket, transportation, tasting fees, and the gratuity for the driver.

Where do we go:

5 or more Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula as time permits.

How much does it cost?

$99 per person (includes transportation, tastings, food pairings, gratuity & custom wine bag)

What to bring:

Your I.D. if you plan to drink, even if you are way old enough, they will ask. A small cooler if you wish for food & drinks (alcohol is allowed on bus)

Pick Up Locations?

We pick up & drop off for free at any local Traverse City location.

Taste the Passion, February 8th, 11 am-4 pm

Taste the Passion on Leelanau Peninsula

This 5-hour Group Tour includes your event ticket, transportation, tasting fees, and the gratuity for the driver.

Where do we go?

Multiple wineries on Leelanau Peninsula

How much does it cost?

$119 per person. (includes transportation, tastings, food pairings, gratuity & custom wine bag)

What to bring:

Your I.D. if you plan to drink, even if you are way old enough, they will ask. A small cooler if you wish for food & drinks (alcohol is allowed on bus)

Pick Up Locations?

We pick up & drop off for free at any local Traverse City location.

Romancing the Riesling, Saturday, February 15th, 11 am-4 pm

Romancing the Riesling on Old Mission Peninsula

This 5-hour Group Tour includes your event ticket, transportation, tasting fees, and the gratuity for the driver.

Where do we go?

5 or more Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula as time permits.

How much does it cost?

$99 per person. (includes transportation, tastings, food pairings, gratuity & custom wine bag)

What to bring:

Your I.D. if you plan to drink, even if you are way old enough, they will ask. A small cooler if you wish for food & drinks (alcohol is allowed on bus)

Pick Up Locations?

We pick up & drop off for free at any local Traverse City location.

 Give us a call at (231) 499-2656 to book over the phone or book your next winter events, wine or beer tour online HERE. Stay up to date with our latest specials and events on this blog and also check us out on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

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Five Reasons You Should Book A Traverse City Winter Tour https://wineandbeertours.com/traverse-city-winter/ Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:47:23 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=9349 Traverse City Winter Fun with Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours!

 

Ahhhhhhhhh just when we weren’t ready to say goodbye to summer, fall barely came and BAM it’s winter. Although we are all sad to see summer and fall go, we can’t wait for the Traverse City winter tour season!

First of all, yes, we give tours throughout the whole year and yes, the wineries are still open. We know in the past many wineries were only open May-October, but luckily many are now open year-round. The only difference is their hours are a bit shorter in the wintertime. Also, the breweries, distilleries and even cideries are open year-round too.

The holiday decorations at the wineries definitely help, but even without them everywhere just feels homier in the wintertime. If you’ve visited in both summer and winter you completely understand, and well if you haven’t, come join us for the first time for a winter tour! Even on a busy day in the winter, you won’t have near as many lines for tastings as you would on a busy day in summer or fall. (Unless you visit for the Mac and Cheese Festival!)

The Views and Snow are Gorgeous

We know many people come up here during summertime for views of the bay but if you haven’t seen it in the winter, we promise it’s worth it. On a beautiful winter day, the bay is awesome to see frozen over and Traverse City gets dumped on with snow so it’s the perfect time to cozy up in a winery or distillery and enjoy! Some establishments even have fireplaces, our favorite fireplaces are at Bowers Harbor, Bonobo Winery, Hope Lot (outdoors) and Suttons Bay Ciders (outdoors).

You’ll Get A More Intimate and Unique Experience

Visiting Traverse City in the summer is amazing but can it also be very busy, especially at the wineries. Come winter,  things start to slow down and are a bit more magical and guests are able to spend more time learning about the establishments and their wine because the tasting rooms aren’t as busy. During the winter, wineries offer events and other wonderful winter experiences to keep you busy.  One of the most popular activities is snowshoeing around the vineyards, some of our favorite places to do so are at Bowers Harbor, Blustone, 45 North Vineyard and Winery and Black Star Farms.

Winter Inspired Drinks

Ok, this might be the #1 reason to visit Traverse City in the winter! Yes we know, you miss the Frosé. We get it. BUT not to worry, many wineries start serving up mulled cider and winter inspired drinks this time of year and they are to die for! Click here to learn about a few of our favorites (some serve throughout the fall and some the winter so make sure you call ahead or ask us if you have your heart set on a specific one.)

Our current favorites are The Holly Nog at Traverse City Whiskey Co. and the featured drinks at Northern Latitudes Distillery.

The Holly Nog at Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Who doesn’t want a s’mores flavored drink!? Imagine getting all cozied up in the adorable Northern Latitudes Distillery with this awesome drink.

S’mores Hot Cocoa Cocktail from Northern Latitudes Distillery

They feature a new drink every week and they also have a seasonal menu! Don’t forget to shop for their merchandise and grab some yummy cheese from the cheese lady while you enjoy a cocktail. Here is another one of their featured cocktails.

Hot Cocoa Caramel Cocktail from Northern Latitudes Distillery

Many other establishments have winter-inspired drinks, these are just a few of our favorites!

Private Distillery, Winery, Cider Tours

As a tour company, we have many different offerings for our guests. Our most popular tour is to take you to 4 different establishments in 4 hours. But let’s get creative! Recently we had a couple we wanted to spend more time at two specific wineries so they booked private tours with the wineries and we drove them up and then took them to a few distilleries and breweries after. Some of our ultimate favorite private tours in town are Traverse City Whiskey Co., Mari Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyards,  and Chateau Chantal! We couldn’t agree more with The Fresh Exchange when she says distilleries sound so fun in the winter, check out her blog to learn more.

You Can Reserve an Igloo at HopLot

We absolutely love that you can reserve an Igloo at Hoplot again this year! It’s the perfect fit for 4-8 of your besties to hang out and enjoy some local beer. Either call ahead and let us know your reservation number or let us plan your schedule and get it taken care of!

Keep in mind if you are visiting on the weekend HopLot is one of our busiest establishments up here so they are pretty much slammed all year round.

We are so excited that you know more about Traverse City winter time and all the magical events that go on this time of year! We can’t wait to meet you and take you around to see all the beautiful establishments with your friends and family but for now, stay cozy!

 Give us a call at (231) 499-2656 to book over the phone or book your next wine or beer tour online HERE. Stay up to date with our latest specials and events on this blog and also check us out on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

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Discover the Best of Left Foot Charley Wine and Cider https://wineandbeertours.com/left-foot-charley/ Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:36:54 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=8625 The Story of Left Foot Charley

Left Foot Charley was created in 2004 on a bit different of an idea than most of the wineries you have visited in Northern Michigan. Left Foot Charley works with numerous small vineyards throughout Northern Michigan that are owned and farmed by people who do not have wineries. Instead of having their grapes sent off to produce giant blends, Left Foot Charley teams up with them and turns their work into wonderful wine! They work with 18 local growers to produce various wines and produce it right in Traverse City! We love that they are located in the former Northern Michigan Asylum on the West side of town!

left foot charley wine and cider

The question we always get is how Left Foot Charley got its unique name.  We found out that “as a child, owner and winemaker, Bryan Ulbrich, was an impulsive kid with an inward leaning left foot. This combined with the unencumbered enthusiasm to run before thinking cause him to trip and eat a lot of earth in his day. The nickname grew out of family parties and to this day its true origin remains a bit of a mystery.”

The Wine At Left Foot Charley

When we did our tasting here this past week there were over 12 wines to try in the tasting room! They have a new Red Drive red blend that was their most popular this month and for good reason, we want to drink it all fall and winter! Other tour favorites are the 2016 OMP Riesling, 2017 Stumble and their 2016 Gewurztraminer. We love these as well, but our personal favorites last time tasting was their 2016 Cadia and 2016 Chardonnay.

left foot charley wine and cider

One of our favorite things about the wine here is the labels on the back! Their winemaker Brian writes such beautiful, witty and fun descriptions of each wine. Definitely take the time to read them when you are here enjoying a tasting. One of my favorites is the story on the back of the Cadia wine bottle!

left foot charley wine and cider

The Cider at Left Foot Charley

Not only do they make great wine, but Left Foot Charley also has seven ciders for sale in their tasting room. One (their Barrel Reserve Engle’s Ransom) is in a bottle but the other 6 are on tap for you to try! They have a wonderful list of different ciders to try from dry to sweet. They are famous for their Cinnamon Girl cider, people just go crazy for it! Our personal favorite right now is the Antrim Cider.

left foot charley

Events

Tasting Room Events

Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 3-6.

Open Mic Night Every Monday from 6-9.

Live Music Every Friday from 6-8.

On the warmer days live music is out on the patio!

left foot charley wine and cider

You can enjoy small plates in their tasting room as well.

left foot charley wine and cider

Left Foot Charley also offers tours of their production facility a few days out of the week. It includes a wine tasting and is $15 per person to book this go ahead give them a call. They all offer private tastings and tours of their barrel room, to learn more about them click HERE.

left foot charley

How Do I Get To Left Foot Charley?

Here is the best part! Don’t worry about driving to the tasting room of Left Foot Charley, call us! We will pick you up from your Traverse City area hotel or rental, 7 days a week. Then, we will drive you to their tasting room to try their wonderful wine and cider.

 Give us a call at (231) 499-2656 to book over the phone or book your next wine or beer tour online HERE. Stay up to date with our latest specials and events on this blog and also check us out on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

left foot charley wine and cider

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The Best Traverse City Fall Drinks at the Wineries and Cideries https://wineandbeertours.com/traverse-city-fall-drinks/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 21:55:31 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=9309 TRAVERSE CITY FALL DRINKS

It’s that time of year! We lucked out with a little week of summer to welcome mid-September but we all know what’s coming. Yes, we are going to miss jumping in the bay, wildflowers, boat rides, beach days and of course snow-free days, but you’re crazy if you aren’t excited for everything pumpkin, apples, and FALL! Cider is getting more and more popular here in the North and we are definitely not complaining! Today we are talking about some of our favorite fall drinks in the area, no this is not all of them if we wrote about them all this post would be 500 pages long, but these are some of our favorites mixed with some of our customer’s favorites, and boy are they delicious!

 

BRYS ESTATE’S SPIKED CIDER

traverse city fall drinks

Our personal favorite come fall time is the Spiked Cider at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy with your favorite people looking out over the vines and enjoying the views of East Bay. It’s the perfect mix of Brys riesling, local apple cider, and some brown sugar and spices! We just found out they are starting to serve this delicious drink, October 4th and we can’t wait to bring you all up to try it. Also, if you live too far away and can’t make the trip up to Brys Estate yourself, Brys is kind enough to share their recipe online! Click the link to check it out, Brys Estate Spiked Cider.

 

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY’S CINNAMON GIRLtraverse city fall drinks

This cider has quickly become one of the favorite drinks in Traverse City and it’s popular year-round. Every time we visit Left Foot Charley with our groups some local or tourist is in there with their growler getting their weekly fix of Cinnamon Girl! Although this cider is offered year-round, we think it’s the perfect drink for the fall months! This cider is made with apples from Old Mission Peninsula and then whole cinnamon sticks are added and steeped in the cider for 4-6 weeks. Come check out their tasting room at the Grand Traverse Commons with us!

 

CHATEAU CHANTAL’S NAUGHTY CHERRY APPLE CIDER

traverse city fall drinks

Another local favorite is the Naughty Cherry Apple Cider from Chateau Chantal. The apples give it that fall flavor but the hint of cherry is there if you’re not completely ready to say goodbye to summer! This is another great stop on our tours because you can get a glass, then sit on their front patio or back deck and take in the gorgeous views of both East and West Bay.

traverse city fall drinks

ROVE ESTATE’S MULLED HARVEST CIDER

We are adding one to the list from the awesome, Rove Estate Vineyard & Winery. Their mulled Harvest Cider is available in the tasting room on Sunday only, but is the perfect way to warm up on a cold rainy day! But let’s be honest, once fall hits it’s the perfect drink on any kind of day. Rove understands that not all of you can make it up to their tasting room so if that’s the case, they have included the yummy recipe! Just take their 2015 Riesling, local apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and throw it all in the crockpot.  If you need more specifics just send them a message on Facebook or e-mail and they will send you the full recipe!

NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY

Sooooo many amazing cocktails at Northern Latitudes Distillery to choose just one! They offer many different spirits and also offer a weekly drink special (typically to go with that season) and they are always delicious! We were there recently and there were offering their Harvest Mule which is perfect for this time of year! Check out their social media to see what is coming next for specials!

LEELANAU CELLARS’ WITCHES BREW

traverse city fall drinks

There’s no doubt about it, Witches Brew is the perfect drink to enjoy this time of year especially the closer we get to spooky Halloween time! This wine is a secret bland and is enhanced with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other natural spices. The best part? You can enjoy it cold or warmed it! Our favorite thing to do is warm up a bottle (or 2). Warming it up intensifies the flavors and it’s perfect to enjoy in front of the fire on our colder days! You can even pick up one of these adorable mugs next time you’re in the Leelanau Cellars tasting room with us!

 

BOWERS HARBOR’S DONUT HOLE CIDER *COMING SOON*

Everyone loves the Spirit Cider line at Bower’s Harbor but you’re about to love it even more! We just heard that in just a few weeks Bowers Harbor Vineyard and Winery will release their caramel/cinnamon cider and we can’t wait to try it! When you are up trying it, you can also try their many other ciders and even join their Spirit Cider Society Club!

SUTTONS BAY CIDERS

traverse city fall drinks

After seeing this picture we don’t have to convince you that Suttons Bay Ciders offers one of the best views in the area. Located just 20 minutes from Traverse City, Suttons Bay Ciders offers anywhere from 8-10 ciders year-round ranging from dry to sweet. Our personal favorites are the Cherry Fest, Mosaic and Power Island. They even mix their ciders and have made some amazing creations! If you love cider, we believe Suttons Bay Cider is a MUST see on our tours when visiting the Leelanau Peninsula.

TANDEM CIDERS

traverse city fall drinks

Tandem Ciders has been making cider long before it was trendy or popular and dang, they’ve mastered it. If you head up to Tandem Ciders you’ll find 9 ciders to choose from. Another great option to try during this time of year is their apple brandy aged in oak barrels! Our customers always seem to love the Smackintosh and the Farmhouse. We love them as well but are big fans of the Pretty Penny and the Crabster. But let’s be honest, they are all to die more.

TWO K FARMS CIDERY AND WINERY

Two K Farms Cidery and Winery is one of our newest establishments in Northern Michigan and in just a year they have become a favorite up here! Some of their ciders have already brought home some medals. What we love about Two K Farms and Cidery and Winery is that they have over thirty varieties of unique, traditional cider apple varieties that are all grown on their farm on the Leelanau Peninsula! We can’t wait to see all the great things they bring our way in the years to come.

 

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE THESE FALL DRINKS?

Funny you should ask! Traverse City fall drinks are what get us through our sad goodbyes to summer and we want to make sure you have the best time experiencing them! We have 19 vehicles to choose from ranging in size and style to go with your perfect fall day adventure! Want to experience these drinks together for a romantic date? We’ve got you’ve covered. Bringing 10 of your buddies up to convince them all that cider is the best thing ever? We’ve got you’ve covered. Bringing your wild and loving family of 32 up to see the gorgeous views and taste the awesome wine? You guessed it! We’ve got you covered! No matter your vibe, we have the vehicle to match. Click the link, to check out our totally awesome vehicles.

Give us a call at (231) 499-2656 or book your next wine or beer tour HERE. Stay up to date with our latest specials and events on this blog and also check us out on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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What are the September 2019 Traverse City Events? https://wineandbeertours.com/september-2019-traverse-city-events/ Sun, 01 Sep 2019 18:08:31 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=9274 Traverse City September 2019 Events with Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours

September 2019 Traverse City Events. Once again, summer is wrapping up and although we are sad to see her go, we are gearing up for an awesome fall season!  Although color tours aren’t quite here yet they will start at the end of this month and everyone in Traverse City seems to be decorating for fall and we’ve even seen some pumpkins growing on the peninsulas! Although fall and fall color tours are events in themselves, we are also getting excited about some fun fall events happening on Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula this month! Scroll down to see some of the events going on in Northern Michigan this September!

Leelanau Wine Trail- Harvest Stompede, Saturday, September 7th 11-6pm and Sunday, September 8th  12 – 5 pm

september 2019 traverse city events

“This annual weekend kicks off the fall harvest season along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail featuring crisp and bright cool-climate wines and culinary delights that reflect the season’s bounty. This exciting fall event includes a self-guided tour along the trail, where you’re free to visit any of the 26 participating wineries in any order you choose on both Saturday and Sunday.”

Ok self-guided? Not near as fun as a personal tour guide that drives you from place to place! So instead of self-guided this year, hire Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours and we will get you safely from winery to winery and we’ll do it in style! Tickets for this event are $40 and include a souvenir wine glass along with a featured wine and small-bite food pairings at all 26 participating wineries. To learn more about this event click, HERE. Then once you purchase your tickets give us a call and book your vehicle for the day and we will take care of the rest!

7 Course Wine Pairing Dinner at Chateau Chantal Winery September 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th 6-9 PM, 2019

Get a group of your favorite friends or family and rent a vehicle fitting anywhere from 2-32 passengers with us and let’s take you up to a gorgeous and delicious 7-course wine pairing dinner prepared by Chateau Chantal’s in-house chef! 1 day advanced booking is required but we recommend at least a couple of weeks so we have a vehicle for you and they have space for you! Dinner is $89.00 per guest, will last 2 hrs and 30 minutes and they can accommodate anywhere from 1 – 30 guests. To learn more about this event click, HERE.

september 2019 traverse city events

Dining in the Vines at Bowers Harbor Vineyards September 7th and 21st 7-9 PM

september 2019 traverse city events

“It’s an idyllic scene that could easily be in Tuscany or Provence, but luckily for you, it’s right here in Northern Michigan! Hosted by the Boathouse Restaurant at neighboring Bowers Harbor Vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula, Dining in the Vines has earned a reputation as one of the most unique dining experiences in the region – not to be missed by anyone who loves great food, great wine, and fun.”

Bowers Harbor serves their dinners in their beautiful covered pavilion overlooking their vines. We’ve heard these events are the most fun and delicious! So, get your friends together, purchase your tickets and give us a call to guarantee a night you won’t forget! To learn more about these events, click HERE.

Fall Color Tours

september 2019 traverse city events

We found this article on Mlive this morning. “To make a forecast of peak fall color time, let’s start with the long-term historical average time frame for Michigan’s fall color. The Upper Peninsula usually has peak color in the first week of October. Northern Lower Michigan typically peaks in fall color between October 7 and October 14. Central Lower has peak in most years between October 14 and October 21. The southern third of Lower Michigan peaks October 21 to October 28. Although sometimes these predictions are a week early or late and with this year’s weather it could be either of those.”

According to this article, we could have peak colors at the end of September, but either way our leaves are sure to start changing any day now! Give us a call to book your vehicle and let us drive you around to see all the beautiful fall colors!

Yes, fall and Septemeber 2019 Traverse City Events are on their way, but we are also soaking up these last few warm days of summer and the gorgeous flowers it’s brought this year! Come enjoy them with us!

september 2019 traverse city events

 Give us a call at (231) 499-2656 or book your next wine or beer tour HERE. Stay up to date with our latest specials and events on this blog and also check us out on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

 

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Traverse City Wedding Trolley with Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours https://wineandbeertours.com/traverse-city-wedding-trolley-with-traverse-city-wine-and-beer-tours/ Mon, 26 Aug 2019 22:45:55 +0000 https://wineandbeertours.com/?p=8988 Is there a Traverse City Wedding Trolley?

Looking for safe and stylish transportation on your big day? We know the perfect vehicle. Our Hometown Trolleys fit 32 passengers and having plenty of room for that gorgeous dress of yours. They also feature an awesome sound system, beautiful wood benches, brass details, an open back porch and a slick white finish. We are also Traverse City’s only wedding trolley, and we have two! Our trolleys have been a huge hit the past two years and we wanted to share a few photos from a day back in May of 2018 with all of you. This way you can see all the ways this awesome vehicle can be incorporated into your special day! This specific day our trolley was used for a styled shoot with an awesome Northern Michigan based team. Our Hometown Trolley carted the wedding party up to Suttons Bay Ciders and was parked here until the bride and groom were ready to head to a few other locations. Here are a few pictures from their big day!

traverse city trolley suttons bay ciders

traverse city trolley suttons bay ciders

traverse city trolley suttons bay ciders

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley suttons bay ciders

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley suttons bay ciders

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

Want to get away for some special husband and wife time after the ceremony?

Our trolley doesn’t have to just drop you off and pick you up from the church, we can take you and your photographer to a new location while the rest of the party enjoys yard games or cocktail hour! In this particular styled shoot, the bride and groom made their way to Kapakahi Retreat of Cedar. Here they shared a special moment playing music just the two of them and got some gorgeous shots as newlyweds!

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

traverse city trolley

Trolley Time!

Yes, our trolley is the perfect vehicle to get you from point A to point B on your wedding day, but it also serves as an awesome backdrop for some fun and unique wedding pictures!

traverse city trolley traverse city trolley  traverse city trolley  traverse city trolley      traverse city trolley

This next shot really shows off the beauty of Hilltop Road in Suttons Bay and the opportunity for some awesome pictures on the back porch of the Hometown Trolley.

traverse city trolley    traverse city trolley          traverse city trolley        traverse city trolley

A 32 Passengers Trolley is great for my bridal party, but what about the rest of my guests!?

Don’t you worry about that! We can provide transportation for up to 200 guests (if your transportation is booked far enough in advance.)  If you’re looking for transportation for any other part of your wedding weekend we have you covered as well.

Reserve our wedding transportation for:

• Bachelorette / Bachelor party
• Rehearsal dinner
• Hotel guest shuttle
• Wedding day transportation
• Airport pick-up / drop-off

To learn more about our wedding transportation or to request a quote, click here or call 231-499-2656.

I am getting married in Petoskey, can I book you still?

We serve most of Northern Michigan so if you are looking to have a wedding elsewhere just give us a call and we will give you a quote for that location!

Pricing

Our trolley pricing starts at $799 + 20% gratuity and depends on the location and amount of hours needed for your wedding day transportation. To see pricing for the trolley and the rest of the vehicles, click here.

We want to thank The Revel Rose for putting together such a beautiful styled shoot and the rest of the team for all their hard work. We had such a blast being a part of this and loved how everything turned out!

Styled Shoot Team:

Photography – Allen-Kent Photography & Josh Hartman Photography
Creative Direction, Design, and Styling – The Revel Rose
Venues – Suttons Bay Ciders and Kapakahi Retreat of Cedar
Floral Design – Windflower Design Co.
Cake – Third Coast Bakery
Videography – Jen Sawyer Field Producer & Mark Eidan
Beauty and Hair Styling – Allison Shaughnessy Hair
Wedding Dress – Desiree Hartstock Bridal via Grace Elizabeth Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – Personal Wardrobe
Ring – Becky Thatcher Designs
Paper Goods – The Revel Rose

 

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