Wine tour FAQs

As of April 3, 2023, masks are no longer required in Washington State's general public and in Healthcare Settings. There are no additional COVID-19 restrictions. Should the COVID-19 conditions change, we will comply with the new protocols.

Due to COVID, wineries started making appointments for tastings, and they have continued the practice today. Walk-ins are only accepted if they have availability. I will continue to make the appointments for you, but you need to book your tours well in advance so that I have time to get you the wineries you wish to visit.

There are several reasons why choosing “Personal Winery Tours” can be a great option for wine enthusiasts or those who simply want to explore the world of wine. Here are some compelling reasons:

1. Customized Experience: “Personal Winery Tours” allow you to tailor the experience according to your preferences. You have the freedom to choose which wineries you want to visit, the types of wines you want to taste, and the pace of the tour. This flexibility ensures that you get the most out of your tour and have a truly personalized experience. If you’re new to the area, have George do it all for you. He knows the best wineries in the area.

2. Expert Guidance: With “Personal Winery Tours”, George can provide valuable insights into the wine-making process, the history of the region.

3. Exclusive Access: “Personal Winery Tours” you may get the chance to visit boutique or family-owned wineries that produce limited quantities of wine. These exclusive experiences can provide a deeper connection to the wine-making process and offer a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry.

4. Intimate Atmosphere: “Personal Winery Tours” offers involved smaller groups, creating a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. This allows for more meaningful interactions with winery staff, opportunities to ask questions, and a chance to delve into the nuances of the wines you taste. It can also be a great setting for celebrating special occasions or spending quality time with loved ones.

5. Scenic Beauty: Many wineries are in picturesque settings, such as rolling vineyards, lush valleys, or charming countryside. A personal winery tour allows you to immerse yourself in these beautiful landscapes, providing a feast for the eyes alongside the pleasures of wine tasting.

6. Wine Purchasing and Shipping: “Personal Winery Tours” offer the convenience of purchasing wines directly from the wineries you visit. This eliminates the need for searching for specific wines in stores or online. Additionally, some wineries may offer shipping services, allowing you to have your favorite bottles delivered to your doorstep.

Overall, a personal winery tour offers a curated, immersive, and tailored experience that can enhance your wine knowledge, provide unique insights, and create lasting memories. Whether you're a wine aficionado or simply enjoy the taste of good wine, a personal winery tour can be a delightful and enriching adventure.

Get ready for an incredible adventure in Walla Walla or Red Mountain! Once you've completed our booking tour request form, I will reach out to you to finalize your booking by getting your information to make your deposit. Then we can forget the stress and let me handle all the nitty-gritty. I’m here to make your Walla Walla or Red Mountain adventure an absolute breeze. Sit back, relax, and focus on the excitement of packing your bags. I’m not just talking about any ordinary tour; this is a carefully crafted masterpiece designed to surpass your wildest expectations. With George by your side, get ready to embark on a one-of-a-kind, tailor-made journey that's all about YOU and your group.

Wine tasting fees in the Walla Walla Valley and the Red Mountain Area range between $10 - $75 (average of $15 - $20) and are waived with a specific bottle purchase or $ amount purchase. So, if you’re willing to buy a bottle or two of wine at each winery, you most likely will not have to pay a tasting fee all day. Tasting fees are paid directly to the winery at the end of your tasting, and all wineries in the Walla Walla Valley accept credit cards.

With a Personal Wine tour, you get to choose exactly where you want to go. If you wish, you can make your appointments with the wineries and tasting rooms you plan to visit. While wineries can operate at 100% capacity, many are excited to return to wine country, and demand is high. In addition, some wineries may continue operating at a lower capacity. The best way to ensure you can taste at a winery is to make a reservation. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you have contacted a winery through reservation or by calling ahead to make sure you understand their policies. Many wineries have a reservation system accessible online or via email/phone – you can view wineries and make reservations here.

If you are new to Walla Walla and unfamiliar with our wineries, we are more than happy to plan your itinerary; just let us know when you make your booking.

If you do make your reservations, please space them an hour and 15 minutes apart so that you can enjoy the complete tasting at the winery you're at and still have time to get to your next appointment on time.

Determining how many individuals can comfortably fit into a 7-passenger vehicle (that includes the driver) requires accounting for varying sizes of people and their ages (this is adults only). It is important to consider the comfort level and personal space required by each passenger. 

Depending on the preferences and body sizes of the individuals, it may be necessary to reduce the number of passengers to ensure a comfortable ride for everyone. If everyone is petite, you could even add one. Ultimately, finding the ideal number of people will involve a balance between maximizing capacity and ensuring a pleasant and safe travel experience for all. You will have to make the final judgment call on this, as I do not know the people that you are inviting to come with you for your Wine tour. My goal is to ensure that you and your friends have a comfortable, safe, and fabulous experience while you’re here, traveling in my Chevrolet Suburban.

We have a couple of options. First, we can include in our itinerary a stop at “Waterbrook Winery & Kitchen” for lunch and a tasting. They have very good food! We also could include a stop at “Valdemar Estates” that has a large Spanish Tapa Menu and of course a tasting of their great wine or “Yellowhawk Resort” (formerly Basel Cellars Winery) with fancy pub fare available for purchase. Yellowhawk Resort adds 20% service fee (i.e., gratuity) to all menu items and flights.

Option #2, is for us to pick up cold sandwiches or a salad for you to have at one of our appointments from "Graze" a local Walla Walla Restaurant. A cost of $15 for Cold/Hot sandwiches or $18 for salads will be charged for each client ordering. A menu can be provided ahead of time. ( please also read the FAQ on bring your own food)

Option #3, is for you to bring a pinic basket along with accessories and we can plan a lunch break at a winery that does allow outside food to be eaten on their property.

Note: You will be given these options when you submit the "Wine Tour Rrequest Form."

Just a reminder that most wineries have a cheese/charcuterie board available for purchase.

No, that’s not the way that we operate. Each tour is different, and we solicit your input before we start designing your tour.

We do have our favorite wineries, based on feedback from our guests. If enough guests get back into the car and say “that place was awesome – you should bring everyone here!” then we will add them to our list of recommended wineries.

For Personal Winery Tours, your $200 deposit reserves each date. If you need to reschedule your tour, just notify us at least 60 days in advance and we can reschedule (or postpone) your tour without losing your deposit. If you “cancel” 60 days or more – 80% is refundable: 30 days or more – 50% refundable: 15 days or more – 30% refundable: 14 days or less – No Refund. No refunds or credits are given for ‘no shows,’ guests that miss the departure time or leave or are required to leave the tour before it is finished. There are no refunds for any changes to or cancellation on the day of the tour. If you become too intoxicated to continue during the tour, we cannot allow you to proceed on the tour. If you’re asked to leave, there will not be any refund given.

Yes, Jeans are acceptable year-round – we call it wine country casual (for women – sundresses, blouses and skirts, nice jeans, wedges, sandals, high heels are not recomended, etc.; for men – golf shirts, khaki pants, nice jeans, dressier shorts, stylish sneakers, boat shoes, etc.).

I Wasn't Born here; I was born in Aberdeen, Washington, and raised most of my life in Lacey, Washington. In 1973, I moved from Seattle, where I worked at Boeing, to Milton-Freewater (7 miles south of Walla Walla) on the Oregon border. I moved from there in 2015 to College Place. I've been in this area for approximately 50 years, and I now consider myself an Honorary Native.

Because wines taste different to each taster, one person may love the wine at a particular winery while the next may not. Each wine tastes different to other people for two reasons—first, the wine grape, of which there are 10,000. Second, where the grapes are grown, there’s little question that most people with just the slightest familiarity with wine can tell the difference between, say, a Chardonnay and a Gewürztraminer or a Riesling because they have very different flavor profiles. So, Cabernet Sauvignon tastes quite different from a Syrah or a Zinfandel.

We recommend that you check with each winery or tasting room prior to arrival. Not all wineries allow customers to bring food and use their tables for eating.

Sorry, but our minimum tours are 4 hours long. In that amount of time we would visit two or three wineries.

On our Service Page, choose "The Aficionado" Tour.

Gratuity is a topic that new touring clients often wonder about. This applies to our drivers, tasting room staff, and the owners of the business. Tipping for a service is customary, but the amount varies. Ultimately it is up to the customer, but should be based upon the service provided. When prompt and exceptional service has been provided, tipping is the means by which to acknowledge good service.

If your host at a tasting room went above and beyond and gave you a fabulous experience, it is absolutely OK to tip them, even if a tip jar is not set out. Also, not all point of sale systems offer a gratuity line, if you are paying with a credit card, do not expect to be able to tip via credit card at every location.

According to an article posted on TripAdvisor. Peggy Post, Head of the Emily Post Institute, stated that she recommends 15% - 25% percent of the total fee, whether or not you receive services from the owner of the business or an employee.

I would like to remind you that the driver gratuity is not included in the cost of your tour. At the end of the tour, I will provide you with an invoice that shows your total fees, including your deposit credit and the remaining balance due. Before you leave the vehicle, I will ask you what percentage you want added to your invoice for the gratuity. If none is requested, I will automaticly add 18%.

We don’t allow kids to accompany us on our tour, unfortunately. For one, many wineries do not allow minors to visit the tasting rooms. There are a number of reasons why, but winery staff is generally most concerned with their guests having a wonderful experience. That includes ALL the guests.

Even though it's not typically expected, at most wineries and tasting rooms, tips are always appreciated. Especially if you've had a great experience, tasted more wines than you expected to, or are with a large group, tipping your pourer is typically considered a lovely gesture.

Don’t say: “The wine is heavy bodied with an aftertaste and it sticks to my teeth.” So, there you have it! Look, take a smell, take a taste, and repeat as many times with as many wines as you (responsibly) can.