Climate & Equity Pledge

At Wine History Tours, we are committed to supporting our community in everything we do. Whether you are enjoying a glass of wine in the Willamette Valley or discovering the rich history of the Pinot Noir grape, we strive to give back to our local community by exclusively featuring local wineries and prioritizing women and people of color-owned businesses.

We firmly believe that supporting our community is not just a passing phrase but a tangible commitment. That’s why we prioritize sustainability, organics, and diversity in all our endeavors. Building a sustainable wine culture is not just about honoring the past but also about creating a better future for everyone.

We are proud to support and uplift the local community, and we invite you to join us in our commitment to building a brighter future for all.

Locally Owned

When it comes to discovering the story behind a region’s wine, there’s no better way to do so than by learning from the locals. At Wine History Tours, we are passionate about providing our guests with an authentic experience by exclusively featuring locally owned and operated wineries on all our tours.

Not only do we support the local community by doing this, but it also ensures that you’ll have an experience that captures the essence of the region. Our guides are also from the area, so they have firsthand knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and traditions, making for a more immersive and engaging experience.

Our travel trips use local on-the-ground guides arranged by our partners in various countries.

Sustainability

The changing climate greatly impacts wine producers around the world. We want to slow climate change by focusing on renewable energy, carbon offsets, carbon capture, and reduced emissions. Our tours transport your group in our plug-in hybrid Volvo with zero tailpipe emissions so you can tour wineries more sustainably and comfortably.

By choosing Wine History Tours, you can be confident that you are supporting a business that cares about sustainability and is taking concrete steps to reduce its impact on the environment. 

Organic

At Wine History Tours, sustainability is not only about reducing our environmental impact but also about prioritizing the health and well-being of our guests. That’s why we take care to highlight organic and biodynamic wineries prioritizing working with nature to grow and produce wine that is good for the environment and you.

These organic and biodynamic wineries use compost and other natural fertilizers, avoid harmful pesticides and herbicides and follow natural farming and winemaking methods.

By highlighting these wineries, we are not only offering our guests a unique and delicious wine experience but also supporting a more sustainable and responsible wine industry. 

Women-owned

The wine industry has a rich history, but unfortunately, it has also been marked by gender-based discrimination and inequality. 

Women likely made the first wine, yet as time went on, prejudices arose, and women were completely barred from the industry. Today, less than 18% of winemakers are women. The first women in wine during the modern era only became owners when a father, husband, or brother died since women could not own property until the 20th century. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the first women learned and graduated from prestigious enology programs.

While there are more and more women-owned and operated wineries, we’re still a long way from equity. At Wine History Tours, we do our part by choosing women-owned wineries when possible for our tours. We believe that by supporting women in the industry, we can help promote greater diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality in the wine industry and beyond. 

POC-owned 

We are committed to going beyond lip service and actively promoting and highlighting wineries owned and operated by people of color on our tours. By supporting these wineries, we can help foster a more diverse and inclusive wine industry that celebrates the contributions of all winemakers.

In addition to supporting wineries owned by people of color, we work with AHIVOY, a nonprofit organization in the Willamette Valley that helps Hispanic and Latinx vineyard workers overcome socioeconomic challenges to establish careers in the winemaking industry. We are proud to partner with AHIVOY and support its mission to promote greater diversity and inclusion in the wine industry.

Join us on a tour, and let us introduce you to the diverse and talented winemakers who are making their mark on the industry.