Tours & Lunch at Middle Bass Island
It's Changed
For many of us, our only view of Middle Bass Island was through the lens of a Lonz wine bottle. Fast-forward and you would not recognize the island. It now has restaurants, lodges, a beautiful marina, and a paved airport. More importantly it has a road structure that allows for beautiful views as well as a fascinating history. Those last two points will be the focus of the two tours that we have planned.
Getting There
Take the 9:15 am Miller Ferry to Middle Bass Island.
Bus Tour of the Island
On Friday, September 27, we will board the 9:15 am Miller Ferry to Middle Bass Island. At 10 am we will be met by a bus that will drive us around the island to see some of those beautiful views. During the bus tour we will have a running commentary by Michael Gora who is a longtime resident of Middle Bass Island. Michael has written numerous books about Middle Bass Island which can be viewed on his website of www.MikeGora.com. To say that Michael knows all those interesting stories that make a tour like this so interesting is an understatement.
After a half hour bus tour we will arrive at the Middle Bass Club area to continue a walking tour with Michael Gora of this historic part of Middle Bass Island. Those not interested in the walking tour will be welcome to remain on the bus. The walking tour should conclude around 11:15 am at which time the bus would drop us at Lonz Winery. Michael Gora is not charging for his presentation but there will be a charge of $10 per person to cover the cost of the bus.
A map with the bus route highlighted in red and including links to points of interest can be viewed by clicking on the button below.
Tour Lonz Winery
The bus for the island tour will drop everyone at Lonz Winery. There will be a guided tour of the Lonz Winery from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm. Our guide will explain the history of the winery and will also show us some areas of the winery like the cellars which are often closed to the public. There is no charge for the tour of Lonz Winery.
Lunch at the Island Grind
After touring Lonz Winery, we can have lunch at the Island Grind restaurant. The Island Grind has made special arrangements to serve their BBQ picnic at a cost of $20.00 per person. The BBQ picnic will include:
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A choice of the Custom Grind Burger (which is a blend made from hand-selected Prime Chuck mixed with trim from brisket, tenderloin, & ribeye) or a grilled chicken breast sandwich
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House-made potato salad
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Italian pasta salad
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Freshly baked cookies
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A choice of refillable hand-shaken lemonade or freshly brewed iced tea
The food will be served to you from silver chafing dishes.
For an additional cost, the Island Grind will also offer their specialty coffee drinks as well as wines which include a Lonz label wine.
You are also most welcome to bring your own lunch.
If we have good weather; you’ll be able to enjoy lunch on the Lonz patio. If we have inclement weather; we will hunker down in the Press House shown in the last photo below.
Returning
Take the 3:15 pm Miller Ferry back to Catawba Island.
Questions
For questions and requests please contact Malcolm McNeil at (925) 519-1459 or mmcneil@mcneilent.com.
Reservations and Payment
Reservations are required for planning purposes. A payment by cash or check made payable to (Malcolm McNeil) will be collected on the Miller Ferry during the morning trip to Middle Bass Island.
$10.00 per person to cover the cost of the bus only
or
$30.00 per person for the bus and the Island Grind BBQ picnic
Round-trip tickets for the Miller Ferry Line need to be purchased separately from the Miller Ferry Line.
Privacy
We share alumni contact information with other alumni as a way to help old friends connect. If you don’t want your contact information shared then please check NO in the privacy section of the reservation.
Schedule Change
The bus for the Middle Bass Island tour filled to capacity on August 20. We
don’t want to turn anyone away from this fun activity. So, we are adding a
second schedule as explained below.
Those with reservations confirmed by August 20 will use the original
schedule shown below.
Bus tour: 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Tour Lonz Winery: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Those with reservations confirmed after August 20 will use the second
schedule shown below.
Tour Lonz Winery: 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Bus tour: 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Please note the reservation form shown below is for the second schedule
of Lonz Winery: 10:15 am - 11:15 am / Bus tour: 11:15 am - 12:30 pm.