tl;dr: Tipping is customary in the US, especially in hospitality, as a way to show appreciation for excellent service. On a public wine tour, consider tipping winery staff for items served to you, and your guide and driver for a job well done. Our guides offer cashless tipping options via QR codes. On a private or corporate tour, gratuity for your guide and driver is already included in the price you were quoted.
The United States has a unique tipping culture, especially within the tourism and service industries. While navigating these customs might seem confusing at first, understanding the basics can enhance your experience and ensure you show appreciation for those who make your trip special.
Tipping in the US: a quick overview
Unlike many other countries where service charges are often included in the bill, tipping is customary and expected in the United States as a token of appreciation for good service. It’s a common way to acknowledge those who go above and beyond to provide a positive experience.
In the tourism and hospitality sectors, tipping is particularly important. From restaurant servers and bartenders to hotel staff and tour guides, many individuals strive to provide excellent service. Showing your appreciation through tipping not only acknowledges their hard work but also contributes to recognizing their efforts to ensure you have a memorable experience.
Who you are tipping on a Vineyard Voyages tour
Two people run your day, and they do different jobs. Knowing which is which makes the question of what to leave a lot easier to answer.
Your guide is a Certified Tourism Ambassador. They build the day around you: coordinating arrival times with the partner estates, holding your tables, walking you through what is in the glass, and keeping the group moving without ever making it feel rushed. If someone talked you into a bottle you did not expect to love, it was probably them.
Your driver is a professional operator handling a 27-passenger executive bus on rolling two-lane roads in Loudoun County. They also do the unglamorous half of the day: loading the wine you bought, managing coolers and bags, and getting the bus in and out of tasting-room lots that were not designed for it.
At the winery
Think of tipping at a winery tasting room like tipping at a restaurant. If you receive friendly, attentive service for items served to you (like tastings or glasses of wine), a gratuity of 15% to 20% is a standard way to show your thanks. Gratuity is not expected for the purchase of takeaway bottles or other products.
For your guide and driver on a public tour
For your guide and driver, tipping is customary for a job well done. A knowledgeable and engaging guide can significantly enhance your wine tour experience. For a full-day tour, a tip of $20 to $40 per person for the guide is a kind gesture for excellent service. A tip of $10 per person for the driver is also appreciated.
Three things reasonably move that number:
- Group size: For larger groups, a higher total tip amount is appropriate to reflect the extra effort involved in accommodating everyone.
- Service quality: Exceptional service warrants a more generous tip. If your guide goes above and beyond to personalize your experience or provide insider knowledge, feel free to show your gratitude accordingly.
- Local custom: In the United States, tipping for good service in the hospitality and tourism industry is a widely accepted practice and a meaningful way to acknowledge the efforts of your guide and driver. If you’ve had a positive experience, a tip is a direct way to express your appreciation for their hard work in making your day special.
Private and corporate tours: gratuity is already included
This is the part guests most often get wrong, and it costs them money.
If you booked a private tour or a corporate outing, the price you were quoted is inclusive of all taxes, fees and gratuities for your guide and driver. It is written into the proposal you signed. You do not need to budget a separate tip on top of it, and nobody on our crew is expecting one.
Tipping the winery tasting room staff still applies, because that is a different business and a different set of people. But the guide and driver are covered.
Making tipping easy
While gratuity is not included in the price of a public Vineyard Voyages tour, we understand that carrying cash isn’t always convenient. That’s why our tour guides always provide QR codes for CashApp and Venmo, making cashless tipping quick and easy!
Common questions about tipping on a wine tour
Do I need to bring cash?
No. Your guide carries QR codes for cashless tipping, so you can settle up from your phone at the end of the day. Cash is welcome if you prefer it.
Do I tip the tasting room staff at each winery?
If they served you a tasting or poured you a glass, 15% to 20% is standard, the same as at a restaurant. You do not need to tip on bottles you buy to take home.
I booked a private tour. Do I still tip?
Not your guide or driver. Gratuity for both is already inside the quoted price on every private and corporate tour. Tasting room staff at the wineries are separate.
Is the tip split between the guide and the driver?
No. They are tipped separately, which is why the guideline above gives a figure for each.
What if the service was not what I hoped?
Tell us. A tip is discretionary and we would much rather hear what went wrong than have you quietly leave less. Email [email protected] and it reaches Christian directly.
Remember, a tip is a small but meaningful way to show your appreciation for the people who work hard to ensure you have a memorable wine tour experience.
Cheers to a wonderful (and properly tipped) wine tour!
If you have not picked a date yet, the scheduled tour page has the boarding times, the current dates and exactly what the ticket covers.