What guests ask before they book
If your question is not here, call (509) 540-3600 and ask Ryan directly.
Planning your day
How much does a private wine tour cost?
Rates depend on the length of the day, the size of your group and the vehicle, so we quote every tour directly rather than publishing a price list. There are no booking fees or per-stop charges added afterward. Send your dates and party size and you will have a number back quickly.
How far ahead should I book?
Harvest — September and October — and summer weekends fill first, and two to three months ahead is sensible for those. Midweek dates and the winter months are often open on shorter notice, sometimes within the same week. If your dates are close, call rather than email.
Do you require a deposit?
A deposit is typically 50% of the projected service cost, with the balance due at the end of the day. Because most tours are quoted rather than priced from a list, the exact figure comes with your quote.
How many wineries will we visit?
As many as the day comfortably allows, which depends on where we go and how long you want to linger. We would rather hold a table an extra half hour than move you along to hit a number. The plan comes out of the conversation we have before you arrive, and we adjust it during the day if a room turns out to be worth staying in.
Do you offer shared or per-person tours?
Yes. Shared tours run any day of the week and are curated to the same standard as our private days, with the added pleasure of meeting people who share your interests. Sunday through Wednesday they depart with a minimum of two guests; Thursday through Saturday the minimum is six. They are operated by our team and booked through our premier partner, Walla Walla Travel.
Do we need appointments at the tasting rooms?
Many of the estate wineries outside town take guests by appointment, and the better tables downtown fill on weekends. We set the appointments as part of planning your day, which is a large part of why a guided tour opens doors that a self-driven day often cannot.
Weekend or midweek — which is better?
Weekends have the fullest slate of open tasting rooms and the most energy. Midweek, Sunday through Wednesday, is quieter: staff are less stretched, conversations run longer, and winemakers are more often on the property. If tasting and talking matter more to you than atmosphere, come midweek.
On the day
Is lunch included?
Lunch is planned into every tour. Depending on the day we either bring it in to sit alongside a midday tasting, or hold a table for you at a restaurant downtown. Either way it is arranged before you arrive rather than left for you to solve.
Where do you pick up and drop off?
Your hotel, your rental or the airport — door to door, both directions, with the same chauffeur from start to finish. Evening and dinner service after a downtown drop-off is available if you want it.
What vehicle will we be in?
A 2025 Mercedes Sprinter — high roof, captain’s chairs, climate control and storage for the cases you buy. We have run most vehicle types over the years and settled on these.
Can we buy wine along the way?
Yes, and there is case storage in the vehicle. Most wineries can ship to most states and many ship internationally, so you can buy freely and have it sent home rather than carry it.
About the valley
What is the Walla Walla Valley known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot above all, along with Bordeaux blends that have built the valley’s reputation. The appellation crosses the Washington–Oregon border and holds well over a hundred wineries, ranging from founding family estates to rooms opened in the last few years.
What is The Rocks District?
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is a small sub-appellation on the Oregon side of the valley, named for the cobblestones left by the Walla Walla River. Those stones give its Syrah a distinctly savory character, and it is one of the most sought-after growing areas in the Northwest. We visit it regularly.
When is the best time of year to visit?
Late spring through harvest is the most rewarding stretch. September and October bring the valley to life as fruit comes in, though the calendar tightens and tasting rooms are busy. Spring is quieter and green, and winter is the season for unhurried conversation with the people who make the wine.
Beyond the valley
Do you drive outside the Walla Walla Valley?
Yes. The Rocks District in Oregon, Columbia Valley and the Tri-Cities, Yakima Valley, Willamette Valley, Seattle and Woodinville, Spokane, and multi-day itineraries across the Northwest. Full state and federal passenger authority means the state line is not a limit.
Which airport should we fly into?
Pasco (PSC) is the practical arrival for most guests. Walla Walla Regional (ALW) works well if routing through Seattle is convenient for you. We meet flights at both, timed to your arrival.
Do you handle corporate groups and events?
Yes — retreats, client outings, weddings, release parties and private dinners. We can assist with venue selection, accommodations and planning through our relationships in the valley.
Licensing
Are you licensed and insured?
Fully. USDOT 3603851, and certificated with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is what permits us to carry passengers for hire across both states the valley spans.
We would be happy to take a few no pressure minutes talking through your trip, sharing insights and helping you plan, ideally including a tour with us, but we are happy to help ensure you have a wonderful time in Walla Walla either way.
