Tasting Fees

My job is to create the best possible experience for my clients. I don’t do safe choices, because it’s easier or because I think you won’t know the difference. My goal is to give each client the best tour that my knowledge and experience can provide

There are amazing wineries that don’t charge my groups tasting fees. However, a winery will lose money if people don’t buy wine. Larger wineries have tasting fees now as a money maker and to discourage non wine buyers.

Most wineries prefer to not charge a tasting fee for the people who buy wines. Almost all wineries waive tasting fees with purchase. The industry average is 3 bottles per person. Some wineries waive tasting fees by dollar amount spent per person – usually between $125 to $200 per person.

For most clients I do a mix of no tasting fee, low tasting fee, and one fancy one with a higher tasting fee that is worth it. It has to be worth it or I wouldn’t go.

For all my itineraries I let my clients know the expectations of each winery and what is needed in order to waive a tasting fee. If you are likely to buy wine, I can take you to only wineries that will waive tasting fees.

Wineries are aware that international clients are less likely to buy wine due to the shipping costs and tax. Some wineries owe me favors for bringing business even when guests are less likely to buy wine. I like to rotate those wineries so they feel good about me visiting.

I do not get kickbacks from wineries nor does any driver I know. The margins are good, but not enough to give drivers kickbacks. I never ask for anything.

Wineries will offer me wine sometimes.

I only say yes when they ask twice.