Frequently Asked Questions
How do your tours work?
Choose either a Private Wine Tour,
a Hop-on Wine Tour or a Wine-O-Wagon Tour.
Next, (for Private Wine Tours) choose the vehicle that is the right size for your group, and finally, choose the day for your tour from the calendar and call us to make a reservation.
For, Hop-On Tours and Wine-O-Wagon Tours choose a day and either book online or call us to reserve your tour.
Do the wineries have tasting fees?
A few wineries charge tasting fees. Some wineries apply this fee to a purchase. Others might include a souvenir glass with the fee. Some tasting rooms have a two tier fee, one for the main line of wines and one for reserve wines.
Is there Tasting Room Etiquette
Yes! Please see the following points:
- DRINK RESPONSIBLY - THOSE LITTLE OUNCES ADD UP
- As you enter the tasting room head for the tasting bar. A host will greet you and get you started with wine glasses and explain what wines are available for tasting and if there are any tasting fees.
- Some tasting rooms will require that you pay a fee to taste the wine. Some wineries apply this fee to a purchase. Others might include a souvenir glass with the fee. Some tasting rooms have a two tier fee, one for the main line of wines and one for reserve wines.
- White wines are tasted first, followed by red wines, and then dessert wines.
- Normally you would not ask for a second taste of one particular wine unless you indicate that you are interested in purchasing the wine.
- You do not have to drink all the wine in your glass. Toss the unwanted wine in your glass into the dump bucket provided for this purpose.
- Sometimes a neutral food will be provided, such as plain crackers. The purpose of the food is to clear the palate after tasting each particular wine.
- Have patience with the wine pourer - they'll get to you.
- Purchase wine - assuming it is in your budget and you like it, then spring for it. This is especially true in small wineries where the winery itself may be the only place to purchase the wine.
Is there a schedule?
Yes. We have designed the best tours possible based on years of experience and thousands of customers.
All of the wineries have been notified of our arrival time and the number of people we are bringing
so that they can make special arrangements to accommodate our groups. In addition, our vehicles are most likely scheduled
for another tour that same day, so it is
imperative you are dropped off at the scheduled time.
What if we go over our reserved time?
In most cases, "going longer" is not an option as our vehicles are often scheduled for another tour that same day.
Your driver/tour guide will help keep you on schedule by telling you at each stop how long you have and what time you need
to be back to the vehicle.
In the event that you do go over your allotted time, the credit card on file will be billed $2 for every minute past the
scheduled drop off time.
Can we consume alcohol while traveling?
Fruitful Vine does not operate "Booze Cruises". If this is your intention, please contact another company.
That being said...if your tour is in the Limo-Coach, you may open and responsibly consume WINE THAT WAS PURCHASED WHILE ON YOUR TOUR.
WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ALCOHOL TO BE BROUGHT ON WHEN YOU ARE PICKED UP. Our goal is for you to have an enjoyable time as you learn about our area
and the wineries. From experience, we know this goal is most readily achieved if alcohol consumption is reserved for the winery tasting rooms.
If your tour is in the Chevrolet Suburban, there is no alcohol consumption in this vehicle.
The individual wineries reserve the right to ask guests to leave if they feel they have had too much to drink.
Therefore, Fruitful Vine (in an attempt to cooperate with the wineries) reserves the right to end any tour immediately if the driver feels
a group/individual has had too much to drink.
Are there any extra costs once the tour starts?
Items that are not included or that you may be charged for are:
- Lunch, gratuity and any tasting fees are not included, except for lunch on the Saturday Hop-On Tour.
- Time overage at $2 per minute past the drop off time.
- Anything damaged will be paid for by the customer, i.e. broken radio and/or tv, stains that do not come out, etc.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please review our Payment & Cancellation Policies page for details.
