Frequently Asked Questions

How many wineries can my group visit on an average tour?

We feel that three wineries in a day is the best amount. Even though we love keeping the party going, taste buds have mostly given up after tasting at three wineries. 

Do we have to have reservations at the wineries?

During the pandemic, the majority of the wineries in the valley went to reservation-required tastings only to minimize guest interaction and to clean in between visits. When the mandates loosened, wineries discovered that reservations were helpful in managing staff and ensuring guests have a better, more personalized experience. Gone are the days of having to snake your way through the throngs of tasters crowded around the bar in hopes of getting your next pour from grumpy, frazzled servers.

However, there are a few wineries in the valley that do not require reservations – our concierge team would be happy to help you find them.

Can we drink alcohol in the van?

While we want you to enjoy your day in wine country, we do need to follow all state and county laws and kindly ask that no open containers are brought into the van. If a driver finds an open container or notices any guest consuming alcohol while the vehicle is in motion, they reserve the right to immediately end the tour.

Can we bring our own snacks/lunch to eat in the van?

Of course! We’re happy for you to bring along your own snacks or lunch to enjoy during the day — it’s always a good idea to stay well-fueled while wine tasting.

I hear there are dog-friendly wineries, is my dog allowed to come along on our tour?

Yes, your dog is welcome to join the tour! We just ask that they remain leashed at all times, and there is a $50 cleaning fee for bringing a pet along. Please note that Pinot Car and our drivers are not responsible for your dog during the tour, and they must remain with you at all times. We’re excited to have you all with us!

Are children allowed to come with us on tour?

Yes. Parents must provide their own car seats for young children and older children (8 – 20) are considered as part of the guest count. Many wineries only allow guests who are 21+ so make sure to let Pinot Car know the ages of all the young guests so we can plan accordingly. However, there are some wineries that welcome kiddos and will make sure they have a fun time too!

Can Pinot Car ship the wine I might buy back to my home?

We can ship your wine to you (with an added $30 handling fee) but it is better to let the winery where you have bought your wine ship it for you. This eliminates the risk of breaking bottles while loading and unloading them from the vehicles and transporting them to a shipping office.

How late are the wineries open?

In general, most wineries open at 11:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM. There are a few who open at 10:00 AM and others who close as late as 7:00 PM. Our concierge team can assist in navigating the times.

Is it the same hourly rate if I plan my own tour and schedule my own reservations?

Yep. Our concierge service is complimentary but welcome our guests to plan their day if they prefer. We will go over your itinerary to make sure the route and timings make sense for your tour.

Can the driver pick up food for us while we are in tasting?

Certainly! Your driver is happy to assist with picking up food or other small errands during your tour, as long as it’s within reason and doesn’t interfere with your scheduled stops. They’re there to help make your day as enjoyable and seamless as possible.

Does the driver’s gratuity need to be paid in cash?

No. Even though they say cash is king, the gratuity can easily be added to the invoice and charged on the booking credit card at the end of the tour.

Terms & Conditions 

By reserving Pinot Car Wine Tours services and providing a deposit, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

 

Reservations & Payment

  • A $200 deposit is required at the time of booking and will be applied toward your final balance.

  • A valid credit card must remain on file. The final balance will be charged to the card on file upon completion of your tour.

  • If guests wish to use a different card or split charges, a credit card authorization form will be provided by the driver.

  • Any additional charges (such as out-of-area pickup, lunches, sparkling wine, or other special requests) will be added to your invoice and charged to the card on file.

  • A 20% driver gratuity is automatically applied to all tours.

Service Parameters

  • Tours require a minimum of 3 hours for pickups within Yamhill County, and 5 hours for pickups outside Yamhill County.

  • At this time, we do not offer pickups in Portland. However, drop-offs to Portland may be arranged.

  • Tours begin at the scheduled pickup time and conclude at the final drop-off.

  • A $50 fuel surcharge applies to pickups more than one hour from our home base in Newberg, Oregon.

  • Pinot Car reserves the right to refuse service at any time if terms of service are violated.

Safety & Conduct

  • Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in the vehicle, in accordance with Oregon state law. Consumption of alcohol in the vehicle is prohibited. If a guest is found with an open container or drinking alcohol while the vehicle is in motion, the driver reserves the right to end the tour immediately, with no refund.

  • Pinot Car will not exceed the legal passenger capacity of any vehicle. All passengers must be seated with seat belts fastened at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

  • Guests are expected to treat the driver, vehicle, and wineries with respect. Unruly, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior may result in termination of service without refund.

  • Offensive, derogatory, or racist language or behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If a driver observes such behavior, they reserve the right to immediately end the tour without refund.

Damages

  • Guests are responsible for any damage to the vehicle’s interior. Extensive detailing/cleaning will result in a minimum $300 charge.

  • Damage rendering the vehicle unavailable for service will incur charges for repairs and lost revenue.

Wine Purchases & Personal Items

  • Pinot Car will take reasonable care to store wine and other purchases safely during your tour. However, Pinot Car is not responsible for breakage, loss, or damage to personal items left in the vehicle.

Cancellations

  • Cancellations made with at least 7 days’ notice will receive a full refund or credit of the deposit.

  • In the event Pinot Car must cancel due to inclement weather, vehicle issues, or other unforeseen circumstances, customers will receive a full refund or credit.

  • Pinot Car is not responsible for cancellation fees from wineries or third-party vendors, nor for fees incurred due to last-minute changes.

Third-Party Reservations

  • Pinot Car may assist in making reservations with wineries or other vendors as a courtesy. However, Pinot Car does not take ownership of these reservations and is not liable for any disputes, discrepancies, or fees associated with them.

  • Customers are responsible for all winery tasting fees, meals, third-party services, and related charges.

Force Majeure

  • Pinot Car is not liable for service interruptions, delays, or cancellations caused by events beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, natural disasters, road closures, or accidents.

Liability Waiver

  • Guests participate in tours at their own risk. Pinot Car, LLC is not liable for injury, illness, or loss of property incurred during the tour, except in cases of gross negligence.

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