The Team
The people behind the best winery tour in Oregon.
“We work in the best and most challenging business in the world. Our office is located in the middle of some of the most beautiful and unique wineries in the United States, if not the world. Our passion is to exceed our guest’s expectations by providing a unique, relaxing winery tour experience.”
Roger and Betsy Bingham
Founders
Roger Bingham is a native Oregonian. Shortly after graduation from The University of Oregon, Roger joined the Marriott/Ritz Carlton Co. rising up to an executive level in Sales and Marketing. This experience resulted in his passion for service excellence and a commitment to deliver a 5 Star GUEST EXPERIENCE at every opportunity. Following Marriott, Roger spent 14 years as the Domestic and International Sales and Marketing Officer for a multi-billion dollar travel company. This experience allowed Roger to travel and entertain extensively in many of the world’s most interesting destinations. A love of food and fine wine evolved over these 22 years.
Betsy Bingham grew up on a 100 acre vineyard and fruit farm north of Buffalo, New York on the shores of Lake Ontario. Betsy’s grandfather was an original member of the Welches Grape Co-Op, and her family grew and sold grapes to Welch for over 100 years. With growing and harvesting grapes in her DNA, Betsy has a keen interest in wine and enjoys tasting and collecting exceptional wines from many regions, especially the AVA’s of our Willamette Valley. Betsy has traveled extensively worldwide, while working as an operations executive for major automotive, consumer and international health care companies. Roger and Betsy have enjoyed building their cellar while collecting and belonging to some of the finest California, Oregon and Washington wineries.
All that experience and exposure aside, the important fact is that Betsy and Roger are fun loving and appreciative people with a passion for family, friends and expanding their knowledge….and enjoyment of fine wine.
As Roger said “We work in the best and most challenging business in the world. Our office is located in the middle of some of the most beautiful and unique wineries in the United States, if not the world. Our passion is to exceed our guest’s expectations by providing a unique, relaxing winery tour experience.”
Roger and Betsy have five children, with three still in college. This gives them time to meet and enjoy lots of new and interesting friends while continuing their passion for wine!
Karen Elder
Director of Operations
Karen grew up in the heart of wine country, in the little town of Newberg. After spending the last ten years as a nurse with Kaiser Permanente, Karen was able to take a break to spend more time with her three growing boys and loving hubs! Her love and knowledge for Oregon wine started while she was in college working at a wine bar. It was almost immediate that working in a local winery would be the perfect balance for her and her family. From coordinating events, hosting gatherings, and daily guest interactions; Karen knew just where her heart for a career was intended- wine!
It would be at a local tasting room where she would meet Roger and Betsy, and as they say “it’s all history from there”! When she’s not escorting guests throughout the Willamette Valley, Karen enjoys time spent with her family outdoors, gardening, and cooking together with her husband Matt.
Molly Parker
Senior Tour Director
Molly grew up in a home where there was a deep appreciation for the world of wine. After studying musical theater in Los Angeles and New York, she saw a “help wanted” sign in a wine shop near her apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. “I walked in, told them I was interested, didn’t know much about wine, and they hired me on the spot,” she says. After a crash course in wines of the world and managing a retail store, Molly started teaching wine classes, running the wine club, and managing the shop. When she and her fiance moved to Oregon, our wine country was the natural extension of her love of and professional interest in wine. For the last two years, Molly enjoyed working as Tasting Room and General Manager for the beautiful and prestegeous Blakeslee Vineyard Estate in Sherwood. Molly continues to learn more about the industry every day. Molly is presently pursuing a second degree at Portland State University and enjoying her role as alternate host for our company. Molly’s future dreams involve becoming a master sommelier, learning how to make wine, “and hopefully, owning my own vineyard!”