Testimonials

“It was a great tour.  The tastings were all well done, especially at the vineyard we visited by boat, where we had the tasting with a traditional Portuguese “workers” lunch.   The treading of grapes was a unique experience that few of us would ever have if not for being on the tour.  My only constructive comment is the food – it was all good, just too much, especially at lunch.

Thanks for a great trip, well led, good hotels, good variety and a good group.  We’re looking forward to the next one.”

“Butch’s inaugural trip to Portugal more than met my every expectation, from the big picture—fun, food, wine and new friends—to the important details of organizing and executing every detail, that made the adventure so special.  I don’t see how the experience could get any better, but something tells me Butch will find ways by fall of 2017!”

“Dear Butch,

John and I want to express our warm appreciation for the wonderful trip you planned to Italy.  Everyone had such a good time and enjoyed your company as well.

This ties as our favorite trip to date. Thank you for all your hard work in planning such an adventure.  We made many cherished memories.”

“Going to Tuscany and Assisi with Butch was a dream vacation! We stayed at fabulous inns, had great experiences visiting wineries, olive oil producers, seeing the sights and, especially, enjoying great food!

Everything was taken care of, with plenty of free time to explore on our own or just enjoy the amenities of the places we stayed at. Our group was made up of friends traveling together which made the experience even more fun!”

“I had the pleasure of traveling to Tuscany with Butch.  This was our second trip with Butch, the 1st being to Spain, and it exceeded our high expectation.  The highlights of the tour included stays at 2 incredible spa’s, great winery visits including really good Brunello’s and Chianti’s, and one of the best meals I’ve ever had.  Visits to Florence, Montepulciano, and Assisi are must see destinations.

Butch makes sure that the trip is stress free and fun.  I highly recommend the trip and you will not be disappointed, unless you gain too much weight from all the fine food.”

“When Larry and I, seasoned world travelers who have always planned our own trips, signed up for the wine tour of the Priorat region in Spain with Butch Terhaar (of Butch’s fame) we were a bit skeptical about how things go on a tour. The skepticism turned to delight as we discovered the very individual and in-depth experience that Butch’s wine tours provide. I think the reason for the success of the tour is Butch’s ability to befriend and appreciate diverse people and cultures and his desire to share this with others. These are not cookie-cutter tours for the tourist — they are based on individual friendships that Butch has established with winemakers and gourmet cooks in the region. We were allowed access to vineyards with the owners; we dined incredibly well sometimes in individual homes; we stayed in small boutique hotels. Anyone who enjoys good wine, good food, and good company in beautiful surroundings will enjoy his trips.”

“Butch’s dedication to hospitality, good food, and wonderful wines has spilled from his restaurant career into his carefully focused and developed, friendship-connected, culturally educational, vividly scenic wine tours to Priorat, Provence, and Tuscany. My wife Sharon and I were part of Butch’s tour to the remote hills of Priorat in Catalan Spain. The wines were spectacular, the food varied and marvelous, accommodations delightful, and our tour compadres fun and stimulating; but the trip was rendered unique through Butch’s close friendships with winemakers whom we visited.  Butch’s planning provided both full engagement and opportunities for individual freedom. We are eager to sign up for another of Butch’s tours in the future!”

“My wife Lynn and I have traveled on two of Butch’s tours:  Tuscany and Catalonia.  Both of these trips exceeded our expectations.  Butch provides a first class tour with excellent accommodations, fine dining and a comprehensive tour of the wine regions.    We specifically enjoyed seeing portions of the European countryside that we would likely not have ventured to without the benefit of a host like Butch.  The tours allow you to see several smaller cities while still allowing time to relax and enjoy your vacation.  We would highly recommend Butch and his tours to anyone considering a European vacation.”

“In June of 2015 my wife Lori and I participated in one of Butch’s infamous European wine tours to the beautiful country of Spain, the Priorot region to be exact. Lori is a wine connoisseur so this trip was built for her. Me, not so much. I like beer so this trip was to be more of a cultural and educational experience than it was a “wine experience”. Much to my surprise and extreme satisfaction, this trip turned out to be one of the most amazing trips of our lives. Butch’s past experience in the region, attention to detail, and partnership with Rachel (our translator and local historian) made this trip so easy, and so much fun that I would recommend it to anyone. From the top notch accommodations in multiple villages, to the very comfortable transportation arrangements, to tending to the individual needs of many in the group (diet, mobility, and of course beer for me J) absolutely nothing was overlooked. We would have never experienced the locales and activities without this kind of arrangement. We experienced incredible meals including two private settings  prepared by well-known chefs, visited several high quality wineries that provided so much more than just tasting that at times, I forgot we were even at a winery. To name one as a favorite would be unjust to the others. There were also several events that were just plain cool including goat herding, swimming with tuna, and kayaking on a reservoir during one of the free afternoons. Although all of Butch’s trips have varying events and activities, I would highly recommend to anyone to sign up for one of these amazing opportunities. Even if you’re not a wine drinker, these trips have so much more to offer and to have Butch as a host, and his expertise at the center of the planning, you can’t make a better trip on your own. Thanks Butch, for an unforgettable memory!”