Meet Your Oregon Wine Tour Guides
We do more than just guide you through the Willamette Valley—we connect you with the people, the soil, and the rich stories that define its world-class reputation.
Hello and Welcome! We’re excited to be your personal guides on a one-of-a-kind Oregon wine tour experience. We want to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share why Cellar Door Wine Tours is the perfect choice for your next adventure through Oregon’s renowned wine country. Let us show you what makes this region so special—one sip at a time!
Decades of Local Expertise
A comfortable vehicle gets you there, but a great guide transforms the entire experience. Cellar Door Wine Tours was built on a deep, genuine love for Oregon wine country. Founders Helen McFarland and Mark Treick, bring nearly 40 years of combined experience in the local wine industry to your journey. Since 2012, we have been redefining the private tour experience by focusing on what matters most: exceptional hospitality, seamless logistics, and authentic connection.
When you tour with us, you are touring with locals who have spent decades walking these vineyards and building relationships with the region’s most celebrated winemakers.
Helen McFarland
General Manager and Founder
A Colorado native and proud University of Colorado Boulder graduate, Helen McFarland brings decades of high-level hospitality experience to the vines as the General Manager and a founding partner of Cellar Door Wine Tours.
Though she has called the Pacific Northwest home off and on since 1997, it was her move to Newberg in 2009 that firmly planted her roots in the heart of Oregon wine country.
Helen’s connection to the region is deeply personal, anchored by years spent at her co-founder Mark Treick’s family estate, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, located in the beautiful Ribbon Ridge AVA.
Experiencing the vineyard’s rhythm firsthand—from the quiet anticipation of spring bud break to the thrilling energy of the fall harvest—is where she truly fell in love with Oregon wine.
Helen brings a wealth of logistical expertise and a deep commitment to world-class customer care to every tour she leads. Her entrepreneurial journey is as diverse as it is impressive, spanning from managing large-scale venues like Dave & Buster’s in Denver to successfully running her own beloved coffee business in the mountain town of Breckenridge. It was during these years that she truly honed her craft, mastering the ins and outs of running a business while always keeping the guest experience at the heart of everything she does.
When she returned to Oregon, Helen transitioned to the renowned four-star Jory Restaurant at the Allison Inn & Spa. There, she refined her exceptional palate alongside top chefs and sommeliers, building close-knit, lasting relationships with the region’s best winemakers.
Today, Helen uses those exclusive connections to open doors across the Northern Willamette Valley for her guests. Whether she is orchestrating an intimate getaway for a couple or a dynamic outing for a large corporate team, Helen handles every detail flawlessly, guaranteeing a seamless day of hidden gems, extraordinary wine, and amazing lasting memories.
Mark Treick
Managing Partner and Founder
Bringing a lifetime of beverage industry expertise and a deep, multi-layered appreciation for the land, Mark is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Cellar Door Wine Tours.
Originally from Washington State, Mark earned degrees in Geography and Fine Art from Central Washington University before heading to Oregon in 1997. It was there, amidst the vines of his family’s Whistling Ridge Vineyards in the prestigious Ribbon Ridge AVA, that he first caught the wine bug and knew he wanted to dive deeper into the world of viticulture.
Mark’s career is a testament to his passion for craft beverages and his entrepreneurial spirit. He cut his teeth in 1998 with Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon, working his way from local sales to national distribution—a coveted role where his appreciation for exceptional wine truly blossomed.
After a chapter in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he transitioned from corporate sales to running his own businesses (and even taught himself the web development skills used to build this very website!), Mark returned to his Oregon roots in 2009. Combining his decades of hospitality, beverage sales, and business ownership, he and Helen officially launched Cellar Door Wine Tours in 2012.
Today, Mark loves nothing more than sharing the incredible terroir of the Northern Willamette Valley with guests from around the globe. He uses his background in geography and his artist’s eye to help guests see every bottle as a reflection of the earth, the climate, and the people who crafted it.
Known for his laid-back, authentic, and fun approach, Mark curates exclusive, memorable tours. When you ride with him, you can expect a seamless day where you can kick back, soak in the stunning scenery, and truly dive into the fascinating stories behind Oregon’s finest wines.
Your Dedicated Experience Specialist
Your day in the valley is guided by our exceptional team of Experience Specialists. Far more than just professional drivers, our specialists are highly knowledgeable, insured locals who understand the nuanced pacing of a great wine tour.
From keeping your group safely on schedule to introducing you to tasting room managers and navigating the winding vineyard roads, your Specialist is dedicated to making sure your day is completely stress-free from the moment they pick you up to the moment they return you to your lodging.
Jill Watkins
Experience Specialist
Get ready to experience Oregon wine country through the eyes of a true world traveler. With over a decade of experience as a Tour Director, Jill Watkins has managed everything from African safaris to complex luxury rail expeditions.
But of all the breathtaking places she has explored, the Northern Willamette Valley is where her heart lies.
As one of our Guest Experience Specialist and a professional travel writer, Jill brings her expert eye for detail and world-class professionalism to your day in the vines.
Whether she’s navigating the beautiful roads leading to your destination in The Dundee Hills, or sharing the rich history of the soil, Jill’s mission is to help visitors find a sense of wonder in every destination.
A day with Jill isn’t just a wine tasting; it’s an unforgettable, masterfully told story of the valley.
Mike Fisher
Experience Specialist
With a background steeped in the rhythms of roots rock, radio, and engaging an audience, Mike knows exactly how to set the stage for an unforgettable day.
A natural storyteller with a genuine love for connecting with people, Mike brings a refreshing, infectious enthusiasm to the team.
Now enjoying his “retirement,” he has channeled his boundless curiosity into exploring the renowned AVAs of the Northern Willamette Valley.
Mike approaches every tour as an eager learner, which means he experiences the magic of the vineyards right alongside you. For Mike, hospitality isn’t just a job; it’s a joy.
Whether you are winding through the Dundee Hills or discovering a boutique gem in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, his impeccable customer service and warm, realistic approach ensure your experience is always the star of the show.
Check Availability for Your
Custom Experience:
(503) 863-6968
>> All tours and vehicle privileges are private and available to paid touring guests ONLY
>> Looking for another touring choice? Try these other Wine Tour Options
>> Click the link for Cellar Door Wine Tour’s Terms and Conditions