Why Choose Backcountry?

Proven Track Record:  Established in 2011, Backcountry has a decade of consistent excellent service.  Our 5-Star Status on Trip Advisor has earned us the prestigious “Certificate of Excellence” for every year of our existence!  That level of experience translates to deeper connections with the wineries and winemakers, which you will benefit from.

The Best Fleet:  Our tour vans are awesome!  The fleet consists of late-model Ford Transit Touring Vans designed for maximum comfort and space.  All our vans feature a high roof and large picture windows.  Let’s face it: Limos are tacky, Teslas are tiny, Minivans are mini, Buses are bumpy, and SUVs are only comfortable up front, and have a 3rd row intended for children.  Tour vans are for touring, and we are committed to giving you a clean, comfy ride every time.

Way More Than Just a “Driver”:  When you book a Backcountry Wine Tour – you’re getting a wine tour – not a glorified Uber driver.  For us, passion for wine came first – and a touring company was a natural extension.  We love to share our knowledge, insights, and deep inroads with our guests.  We engage the customer to ensure you extract the richest experience possible.  All while keeping it fun and casual.

Our Focus Is Strictly Wine:  Like I said, passion for wine is what got us into this business.  We’re not out here trying to also peddle our City Tour or Gorge Tour or or Coast Tour or Waterfalls etc… Not that those aren’t great things or that you shouldn’t book a tour for any of them!  But, on the day of your wine tour – you’re going to want a guide who brings experience and expertise about the vineyard region to the table.  That’s not just our specialty – it’s our sole focus.

Expertise & Experience:  What we offer is a result of a deep familiarity and understanding of the valley coupled with our special inroads and relationships with winemakers and winery owners.  We will not take you on a cookie-cutter tour.  Every group is unique, and so we believe every tour should be unique.  Also, we’re not going to give you a corny memorized script and make you feel like a tourist.  The way we approach our presentation is from the angle of a conversation.  If you are talkative, we’ll talk!  But if you’re enjoying the serenity, we’ll shut up and let you enjoy it.

Winery Choices:  I realize nearly all the tour companies will promise you “small, boutique wineries” or “off the beaten path” etc.  The thing is, 90% of the wineries here in the Willamette Valley fit into that category – so it’s not a difficult promise to live up to.  For us though, creating a unique and customized experience is a craft that we approach like an art.  We really go deep.  Our repertoire includes around 60 wineries which we’ve identified as “the best of the best” – so how do we choose the right 3 for you?  Well, it starts with our intake Questionnaire in which you get a chance to explain your hopes and expectations.  We take that info and use it to choose the right wineries.  Just because it’s “boutique” doesn’t mean it’s great – or your style!  We listen, respond, and arrive at a plan that is custom-suited to your unique desires.

The “Little Things”:  Need help getting that wine home?  We got it.  Want to be dropped off somewhere for dinner?  No problem.  Special requests?  The answer is Yes.  Flexibility is the very essence of our service.  We know it’s all the little things that add up to a great experience.

Value:  Look, we’re not the cheapest tour, and we’re not the most expensive tour.  But I know that our satisfaction rate confirms that our prices are fair and worth every penny.  You don’t have to worry about overtime fees, concierge fees, fuel surcharges etc.  We give you one transparent flat rate, and we’re going to make it worth every penny.  If you’re not 100% satisfied with your experience, we will make it right.  I know the one hesitation some people have is that tasting fees are not included but I will give you the main reason this is actually better for you:

Tours that promise you tasting fees included have an incentive to take you to the cheapest places, or stick to the scripted route to wineries they have arrangements with.   Our only incentive is to give you exactly what you want.  By giving you the financial control at the wineries, you also gain control of the quality and essence of the experience.  In short, you’ll get to go to better wineries.  Besides, wineries here waive tasting fees with purchase, so if you just go home with a few mementos, you probably won’t pay any tasting fees anyways.  It’s really quite simple.

Of course I hope you’ll choose Backcountry – but no matter who you ultimately choose, I hope you have the perfect trip to our amazing wine region!

Cheers!