Frequently Asked Questions

Comfortable clothing. Period. We don’t usually do a lot of walking, but we typically go into the vines to sample the fruit and study the canopy management so closed-toe comfortable shoes are best. Many of the roads are unpaved and very dusty in the summertime. Shorts and sundresses are perfectly fine and you are not expected to “dress up”… however, business casual or “Sunday brunch” is perfect.

Tasting fees vary from $10 to $25 per flight. A flight is typically a sampling of five or six wines that the winery currently has available or that they feel best showcases their wines. Additional fees usually apply for barrel tastings, wines that are pulled from the catalog or vertical tastings. Please note, your tasting fees are FREE and included with your tour fee.

Tips are always appreciated.  You will receive superior professional service and personal attention regardless of gratuity. Your satisfaction and positive feedback are the most important issues for us.

To visit three or four wineries in one day and enjoy a lovely lunch without rushing, your tour will last between five and six hours. Although we do not want to rush, we do want to give plenty of time for commuting between wineries and enjoying each flight.

Our preference is to visit three wineries in one day. Although we could do four or five, we might have to rush to keep on schedule. That’s okay if you’re a collector and you can “sample and spit” quickly. Otherwise, we do not recommend more than four or five wineries in one day as “palate fatigue” will set in and the wines will begin to taste the same. Usually, we spend about one hour at each winery to complete one flight, and since the wineries are typically open from 11 am to 5 pm, three or four wineries in one day is a full day.

While most wineries are focused on showcasing their wines for you to sample and potentially purchase, young children are always welcome.  However, an older child who can be somewhat independent would probably create the most enjoyable day for everyone.

What is unique about Triangle Wine Country Tours is that we have personally chosen the wineries we visit based on our personal experience. This experience includes a complete understanding of which wines are good and bad for each vintage and thus, where to go to find the best wines at a competitive price. We always hope to create more wine geeks like us on each tour, so we work hard to find the right wines to encourage the start or significant contribution to your wine cellar at the best price.

Although most tour companies are friendly and professional, they may feel like an enlightened chauffeur rather than an industry professional. All of our tour guides are WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) certified. WSET is based in London and provides a true world view on wine and the wine industry. This education, along with our industry experience and over 20 years of sampling Willamette Valley wines, ensures that our tours are both personal and educational. Unlike other companies, we are in the tasting room with you talking and teaching you about the wines you’re sampling and how they relate to your palate. It is a difference you have to experience for yourself. Moreover, Triangle Wine Country is an LLC and carries commercial insurance. Be aware, similar tour providers utilize their personal insurance which may not provide coverage in case of an accident.

Yes. Snacks and bottled water are included as well as a lovely lunch. Lunch is typically provided at your second winery visit.

Yes and no. If you live in the Portland metro area and you have a reusable wine bag, please bring it with you. If not, the wineries will provide bags or boxes for you to easily transport your purchases. Most people purchase a shipping box (about $10) which they check as a piece of luggage when they fly home.  It is the least expensive and safest way to get your wine home.  Of course, we can ship the wine for you too.  When buying six or more bottles from a winery it’s cost effective to have them ship for you.

Wine bottles in the Willamette Valley can range from $15 to $125 with most white wines costing around $20 to $40 per bottle. Red wines average about $40 to $60 per bottle. But don’t forget, since you are touring with an industry professional we can help you make the best wine purchase decisions!

Our tours are provided year-round (depending on weather). Balloon flight packages are available from April to October.

When should you visit? Early Spring and Fall wine tours are the most amazing, colorful, and interesting (and the tasting rooms aren’t so busy).

Small Group (Shareable) Wine Tours are limited to six guests. We also have arrangements with many limousine and bus services to provide our Large Group Wine Tours so we can accommodate most group sizes with just a little planning.