Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have questions when it comes to touring Oregon wine country. If you are looking to do your first wine tour / tasting or you are a veteran wine enthusiast our goal is to make the day fun and exciting and get your party safely from each winery to the next and home again.
Please browse through our FAQ's about wine tours. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, please email us at info@TourOregonWines.com. We will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
Why Should We Use Your Company For A Wine Tour?
TourOregonWines.com offers the best private chauffeured wine tours from the Portland / Vancouver area through the Willamette Valley AVA. We can also service the Salem area and Columbia River Gorge wineries. We can even design custom tours to meet your party's needs.
What Should We Look For When Hiring A Wine Tour Company?
This is simple. QUALITY. There are a lot of people in the area who are putting their limousines out for as little as $65 an hour. Remember the old saying, "You Get What You Pay For!" Well that applies here as well. Our company provides high quality, professionally dressed chauffeurs who are familiar with wine country and the wineries we visit. We also provide clean, dependable vehicles that you want to travel in. Some companies are running cars from the 1990's. You are paying good money for your tour, demand good service and equipment.
What Wineries Do You Go To? Who Makes The Itinerary?
We custom design all of our itineraries based on what our client's objectives are for wine tasting. If you have wineries in mind we will certainly accomodate those requests. If you have only a couple and need suggestions for others we can do that too. For the clients who don't have any preference, we can suggest several past client favorites and let you choose from those. Visit our Wineries & Vineyards page to see a listing.
Can We Drink In The Vehicle?
YES.... HOWEVER, the wineries have taken a strong position that any customers appearing to be intoxicated (i.e. rolling cocktail parties) will not be served. This is not only their right, but it is the law to not serve an very intoxicated person. A wine tour is about experiencing the wine. If you are looking for a "booze cruise", we are not the wine tour company for your group.
Tasting Fees - How Much & Who Pays?
Tasting fees vary from winery to winery. Typical tasting fees are $5.00 to $15.00 per flight (a flight is typically 3 - 7 wines offered for tasting at a winery). Some wineries will waive the tasting fees if you purchase a bottle or more. Your group is responsible for paying your tasting fees unless other arrangements are made in advance with the office.
Where Can We Eat Lunch / Dinner on Our Tour?
There are several places to eat lunch or dinner in wine country. Visit our Where To Eat page for more information on wine country restaurants. We also have the ability to put together a picnic lunch for your group to enjoy at one of the wineries.
When Do The Wineries Open / When Shoud We Start Our Tour?
Most of the wineries open after 10 a.m. We suggest starting your tour no earlier than 9:30 a.m. to allow for travel time to the Willamette Valley from your pick-up location. The wineries will start to close at 4 p.m. with some staying open as late as 6 p.m.
How Long Are Your Tours? What if we go over?
We typically schedule our wine tours for 6 hours. This allows for time to/from your pick-up to wine country and enourgh time at each winery so you don't have to rush. If you plan to have lunch or dinner at a restaurant, we recommend planning an 8 hour tour. If you tour extends past the initial estimated time we bill you the hourly rate in 15 minute increments.
How Far Is Willamette Valley Wine Country From Portland?
To get into the heart of wine country from downtown Portland you can expect, on average, a 40 minute ride (traffic permitting). McMinnville, Salem, Carlton, and other parts south increase that travel time at least 15 minutes.
Do You Pick Up Outside The Portland Metro Area? Does It Cost Extra?
YES. We can pick up outside the Portland Metro area. For Vancouver, WA there isn't any additional charges, it just takes longer to get to wine country. For other areas (i.e. Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, etc.) there is a mandatory travel time fee to compensate the chauffeur for his time to get to your pick up location. This fee varies based on distance. Minimum travel charge is $50.00.
Can You Pick Us Up At Portland Intl. Airport And Take Us To/From Our Hotel?
YES. TourOregonWines.com is a part of Entourage International Limousines which is permitted to pick up at PDX. We have special rates for our wine tour clients for their hotel transportation.
I Bought Wine, How Do I Get It Home?
For our clients from out of state, we can assist in boxing up your wine and sending it home via UPS* for an additional fee. We use approved shipping containers designed for shipping wine. Otherwise, you can use the same shipping containers and take your wine with you on the airplane like an additional CHECKED BAG. In most cases this is cheaper than shipping and you have the wine at home when you arrive.
*Shipping Laws Vary By State.