From wedding weekends to sporting clays at The Hunt Club, here's how groups are making the most of this Emmy-featured vineyard estate in Southwest Michigan.
Planning a getaway that's about more than a pool and a pizza night? Whether you're gathering a wedding party, bringing a team together, craving a reset, or rounding up friends for a day on the clay course, the right home base makes all the difference.
Tucked between Bridgman and Sawyer in Harbor Country, Vine Vista Pool House sits on 3+ private acres bordering 29 rows of vines. It sleeps up to 25 and has a 20-by-40-foot indoor heated pool that's open all year. Here are four ways to make it the backdrop for your next big occasion.
1. Wedding weekends
Best for: Wedding parties, the couple's families, and wine country destination weddings
Say "I do" to Harbor Country. Vineyards, Lake Michigan sunsets, and an easy 90-minute drive from Chicago have made Southwest Michigan one of the Midwest's most romantic places to celebrate. Vine Vista keeps your closest people under one roof, with four bedrooms, 14 beds, and 3.5 baths for getting ready together (no hotel hallway sprints required).
Host the welcome party around the fire pit, pour local wine at the rehearsal dinner, and let everyone unwind in the hot tub afterward. The morning after, a slow brunch in the big kitchen and a recovery swim send the whole crew home happy.
Travel tip: Book for late September or October to catch harvest season, when the vines surrounding the property make a stunning backdrop for getting-ready photos.
Check dates for your wedding weekend
2. Team and group retreats
Best for: Company offsites, leadership teams, creative workshops, and friend group getaways
The best retreats balance focus with fun, and Vine Vista has room for both. Spread out in the spacious living and dining areas for morning sessions, then trade the whiteboard for ping pong, the arcade machine, a game of volleyball, or a few laps in the pool. On a private 3+ acre estate, there's no hotel lobby and no strangers at breakfast. It's just your group and plenty of space to think.
Need an afternoon outing? Winery tastings, dune hikes, and Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks are all a short drive away. Amtrak also stops in nearby St. Joseph and New Buffalo for teammates coming from Chicago.
Travel tip: Consider a winter retreat. The area is quieter from December through March, and a heated indoor pool turns a snowy Michigan weekend into the highlight of the year.
3. Wellness getaways
Best for: Yoga retreats, girls' weekends, and anyone craving a reset
Wellness here looks like warm water, fresh air, and nowhere you need to be. Start the morning with laps in the indoor pool or sunrise yoga along the vineyard edge. Cook a farm-fresh dinner with produce from the stands along Red Arrow Highway, then end the day with a soak in the hot tub, whether it's July or a 20-degree January night.
Nearby nature does the rest. Climb Tower Hill at Warren Dunes State Park (5 to 10 minutes away), wander the quiet trails and inland lakes of Grand Mere State Park, or stroll the Mt. Tabor Trails through the vineyards between Round Barn and Tabor Hill.
Travel tip: Catch the sunset at Weko Beach, just 5 minutes from the house. The sun drops straight into Lake Michigan, and it might be the easiest mindfulness practice on the coast.
4. A day at The Hunt Club
Best for: Corporate outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and first-time shooters
Looking for an adventure your group will talk about for years? About 20 minutes from Vine Vista in Three Oaks, Deer Creek Hunt Club offers sporting clays, skeet, wobble, and 5-stand shooting, plus upland bird hunting in season. Beginners can book instruction, and the clubhouse bar and grill serves breakfast, lunch, and a well-earned drink after the last round.
The club is open to the public, so no membership is needed for a group day. Spend the morning on the clay course, grab lunch at the lodge, and head back to the house for an afternoon swim and a fireside evening.
Travel tip: Hours change by season and some days are members only, so call ahead at 269-756-6600 to confirm times and reserve your group.
Pair your Hunt Club day with a stay
Tips for planning a group stay at Vine Vista
- Book direct: Reserving on vine-vista.com skips the platform fee and puts you in touch with host Regan Sonnabend from day one.
- Balance big outings with downtime: Pair a full morning (clays, dunes, or the wine trail) with a lazy afternoon at the pool.
- Pack swimsuits in every season: The pool and hot tub are indoors and heated, so they're just as fun in January as in July.
- Plan meals together: The full kitchen, local farm stands, and summer u-pick farms make group dinners part of the fun.
- Bring a car: Beaches, wineries, and The Hunt Club sit 5 to 25 minutes apart, and rideshare is limited outside St. Joseph and New Buffalo.
Vine Vista at a glance
| Detail | Vine Vista Pool House |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Charter Township, MI, between Bridgman and Sawyer |
| Sleeps | Up to 25 guests |
| Bedrooms and beds | 4 bedrooms, 14 beds |
| Bathrooms | 3.5 |
| Signature amenities | 20-by-40-foot heated indoor pool, indoor hot tub, game room, fire pit, volleyball, basketball, ping pong |
| Rates | From $1,795 per night |
| As seen on | Staycation, Season 1, Episode 5 |
Vine Vista FAQ
Is Vine Vista a good place to stay for a wedding weekend?
Yes. With room for up to 25 guests, a vineyard setting, and space to host a welcome party or rehearsal dinner, it works well as a home base for the wedding party and family.
How many people can stay at Vine Vista?
Up to 25 guests across 4 bedrooms and 14 beds, with 3.5 bathrooms.
Is the pool open in winter?
Yes. The indoor pool and hot tub are heated and open year-round.
How far is The Hunt Club from Vine Vista?
Deer Creek Hunt Club in Three Oaks is about 20 minutes away by car.
How far is Vine Vista from Chicago?
About 90 minutes by car, with Amtrak service to nearby St. Joseph and New Buffalo.
Find your perfect group getaway
Wedding weekend, team retreat, wellness reset, or a day on the clay course: whatever brings your people together, Vine Vista gives you the space to do it all. Check your dates or send Regan a message. Replies usually come within 24 hours.