Private Wine Tour by Ansell Tours

We booked a WINE TOUR OF THE GUADALUPE VALLEY in a Suburban, to be picked up and dropped off at our hotel. We initially contacted them because of their ONLINE FLYER, and specifically reached out to ANA. We got an EMAIL RESPONSE, from her: Hello Clarence, My name is Ana, and I'm in the reservations department at Ansell Tours. Thank you for getting in touch; we are delighted to have you on board and excited to take you on a journey through the beautiful Valle de Guadalupe. lhave attached a PDF file where you will find general information about the services we offer. We would be happy to prepare a personalized quote for a private tour for two guests, with pickup from Estero Beach Resort. We can organize an itinerary that includes at least three wineries and a meal, and we can also consider adding La Bufadora depending on the schedule for the day. To confirm our availability, including the availability of a Chevrolet Suburban, and prepare an accurate quote, could you please let me know the date you are planning to visit? Once I have the date, I'll be happy to review the options and send you a customized proposal. Best regards, Ana Ansell Tours COST, eventually: $585.00. On the 20th, we got an EMAIL with highlights of prices of VEHICLES, including the SUBURBAN. We picked the SUBURBAN. As you'll notice, the Wine and Food was NOT HIGHLIGHTED!!! I got this offer, and read it at FACE VALUE. I read it, though, as a 62 YEAR OLD w/ Memory Issues, ENOUGH SAID. I am trying one more time to be as clear as possible. OR, maybe just won't review Ansell Tours!!! Although we were under the impression it was to be an ALL INCLUSIVE TOUR because all of this conversation was in reference to the ONLINE FLYER, it didn't turn out that way. NOTE: We saw the same basic NON-INCLUSIVE tour on Trip Advisor for $265.00. Due to the $300.00 DIFFERENCE, we were pretty CERTAIN that our tour was in fact the ALL INCLUSIVE TOUR, as we initially discussed W/ Ana!!! NOW, for the tour itself: WE ADMIT TO DELETING A WINERY: We did so because of the 1) UNEXPECTED EXPENSE, and because of the 2) large amount of wine for me. As for the restaurant, that was due to a suggestion from the DRIVER!!! I had wanted to go LATITUDE 32, but when my partner learned it wasn't included, he was upset. DRIVER CLEMENTE suggested the change to my partner, in SPANISH. We had EARLIER communicated with ANA, about what was included at lunch, and she assured us we could order anything off the menu. APPARENTLY, not so!!! I should also point the reservation team is not always available, CONTRARY TO WHAT THEY SAY!!! I would sometimes write with questions, and they would go UNANSWERED. I asked 5 times about getting La Bufadora to be included, instead of a winery, AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE. In addition, I asked why private tours were half as expensive on Trip Advisor, compared to our tour. NO RESPONSE. HOWEVER, we did get a big, beautiful black SUBURBAN, as promised!!! Although it arrived an hour early, we were forewarned. CLEMENTE, was our driver, DAPPER, ON TIME, and EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FRIENDLY!!! First WINERY: Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards. It consisted of several small Spanish-like buildings. We each had a wine tasting. Approximately, $65.00, UNEXPECTED EXPENSE!!! Second WINERY: Finca LA CARRODILLA. It was nice, but it was raised up very high WITHOUT AN ELEVATOR. I was able to walk up the s equivalent of two floors. AT THIS WINERY, we decided to have 1 tasting and 1 bottle (TAKE HOME). We chose to take it home in a very nice wooden box. Approximately, $65.00, UNEXPECTED!!! LUNCH: La Cocina de Doña Esthela. It came with a Michelin Star, but that seemed questionable. We went there on the advice of the driver, CLEMENTE. It was decent food and fairly well priced. COST FOR 3, including driver initially $75.00. (As we waited for the car, the waiter came running out looking for us, mumbling something in Spanish. When my partner returned minutes later, he had about $25 in hand in PESOS!!!) He said, after that whole thing, they said that they had admitted to OVERCHARGING US!!! So: $50.00. Final WINERY: Rondo del Valle Winery. It was my favorite due to its SIZE, STYLE AND ARCHITECTURE. Solid CEMENTE. It was a hot day, but on the inside it had big, beautiful overstuffed and colorful couches. In addition, there were was a HUGE CIRCULAR FAN!!! We had wine tastings, and we got a bottle of a blush wine in a box, bubble wrapped!!! I almost got an ICE CREAM, they were DELICIOUSLY TEMPTING!!! Approximately, $75.00, UNEXPECTED EXPENSE!!! We were then taken back to the hotel. We arrived at 4:00 PM. Initially, we were given a return time of 6:45 PM. If I'm not mistaken, that would have been enough time to drive to La Bufadora, AND BACK!!! Enough with the nonsense, PATRICK!!! I was told by our DRIVER, this had happened to others before. Was I out of place to think that we could get LA BUFADORA, as a Last Stop??? ** I beg the OPERATOR: Have TWO BOXES, FULLY INCLUDED, and PAY AS YOU GO!!! **

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Our personal drivel Victor was the best! He was very professional and gave us great recommendations. We will definitely be booking again and requesting him for our next trip

The winery’s we visited were lovely. The wines were enjoyable. We had a nice driver Victor. I highly recommend Ansel Tours.

Had 2 great days with Mario for a weekend of wine tasting.

I loved that the staff were very communicative and they were able to accommodate plan changes mid way our trip. The only issue I had is that I needed an accessible van and they weren’t able to accommodate that. We ended up having to fold down her wheelchair and carry my daughter on my lap. Other than that, the trip itself was nice and I like that the staff takes care of all the reservations.

Highly recommended and will be using them in the future. Very responsive through entire pre trip selection and planning. Great communication and customization of our couples trip. Day of trip good communication and pickup at cruise ship port. Nice room van with professional driver. We fully enjoyed our wine tours and lunch. Wines are are excellent with many complex reds

We hired Ansell to provide a driver for myself, my friend, and my significant other to enjoy Valle's wine country for an entire day. The driver, Mario, was incredibly kind, friendly, and helpful. He helped find us an ATM when we needed one, and played great music on the ride. We had a great time chatting with him in between stops. He picked us up at our accommodations on time, and took us to lunch, 3 wineries, and dinner, before dropping us off back at our accommodations in the evening. It was the perfect day! This is our second time using Ansell and we would absolutely use them again. I can't say enough good things about them - they're so easy to work with, they're quick to reply to any questions, and everyone is so friendly and helpful. Thank you Ansell!

From start to finish, working with the team at Ansell was fantastic. They asked all the right questions about our style and then put together a personalized itinierary for us. Communication before, during and after the trip was clear, professional and informative. They made all of the reservations for us at 4 very distinct wineries and eating lunch at a delicious restaurant. Our driver, Mario, was awesome-- it was fun to spend the day with him (safe, comfortable private car, courteous, funny and full of great local knowledge). We highly recommend this company--we loved the experience.

Our driver was awesome with great service! They put together the perfect itinerary for what we were looking for. Super fun highly reco

driver Alfredo was very professional and spoke good English. van was stocked with bottled water and was clean. we had 12 passengers and all were comfortable through out our journey to Quadalupe Valley during our wine tasting excursion.