Meet the Team
A Great Oregon Wine Tour
Claudia
Accountant Extraordinaire
What small business thrives without an amazing accountant on their side!? That’s where Claudia comes in. Claudia has been with AGOWT since the beginning and we’re so lucky to have her for more reasons than many!
Claudia has loved watching Wayne and Camille’s tour business grow and thrive despite challenges that face small businesses everywhere, especially through COVID. She’s family and we are so grateful to have her positive, savvy and lively spirit around us! Never a quitter and always determined, Claudia thanks her common sense and work ethic on her German background. Her motto is “suck it up, never quit, work hard,” which she does brilliantly with a sense of humor right along with it.
Claudia’s biggest joy is her family. Mom to her 3 amazing daughters (two of which are identical twins) 7 grandkids (ranging in age from 4-16) and no pets because she likes the flexibility of taking off whenever the urge strikes.
When Claudia has free-time you’ll catch her with friends and family enjoying nature in the PNW, whitewater rafting and beach trips, Alaskan adventures, dancing, reading and of course wine! When extra time allows, she loves passing on secrets of food preservation to her daughters and grandkids, especially her infamous jam recipes…which her grandkids lovingly call “Grammy’s Jams!
We’re so fortunate to have Claudia on our team! She keeps us all in line with ease and is a joy to be around!
Teri
Tour Guide | Pacific Northwest Ambassador
Teri has been a guide with us at “A Great Oregon Wine Tour,” for over 8 years, and what a blessing it is to have her. Teri lights up a room with her enthusiasm and she simply knows how to connect with people in a magical way. Her passion for giving tours comes from the joy it brings her in meeting people from all over the world and having the honor of showing them her favorite places in Oregon. Her excitement for these places is infectious and she will make you feel at home while you’re on her tours. Teri is divorced, with 2 sons, 4 grandkids and is currently looking forward to adopting some dogs…which she finally has the room and time to do so. Teri is a giver and passionately helps where she can. From participating in organizations that support her local community, to being a member of Soroptimist International Portland along with President of her Portland Metro Rotary Club, Teri dives in wholeheartedly. Her latest fundraiser is for the Rotary in support of the refugees fleeing Ukraine into Poland. When Teri has free-time you’ll catch her enjoying local jazz and live theatre, crafting, reading, cooking and increasing her Oregon knowledge through adventures, while spending time with her friends and family. Book a tour with Teri…you’ll love it! We’re so fortunate to have her on our team!
Dave
Wine Tour Guide
Dave has been a part of AGOWT for over a year now and we’re so lucky to have him on our team! A middle school teacher for over 20 years, Dave joins us during his summers off to lead tours for a change of pace. Full of energy and life, Dave brings his A-game to his tours and guests’ experiences. He loves meeting new people and sharing all of the great things Oregon wine country has to offer. His love for wine and the beauty of our wine country ignite his passion. Dave enjoys discovering new wineries to bring his guests and then revisiting them later with friends when he can taste as well. Happily married to his wife, Nancy, they have two wonderful daughters and enjoy being outdoors and visiting new places as a family. When Dave has free-time you’ll catch him diving into learning new things, lounging like a slug and reading for hours along with hang outs with friends for great food, wine and laughter. Book a wine tour with Dave…you’ll love it! We’re so fortunate to have him on our team!
Jill
Wine Tour Guide
Jill is one of AGOWT guides, extraordinaire! Wine is one of her many passions and she loves helping people who may not know much about wine, become familiar with the wine world. A natural hostess with the mostess, Jill enjoys learning about her guests interests and incorporating them into fun and education during their tours. Our wine region, its scenery and the great wine partners they visit, thrill her and she wants her guests to feel that love as well. Giving tours and being timely to the days chosen destinations, is a skill Jill does well, as organization is one of her super-powers. She is a researcher and wants to know all that she can about a subject she finds interesting. Watkins’ began as a travel agent/office manager, then did a fun stint giving amtrak train and national park tours, so she jumped at the opportunity to become a wine tour guide and has shined at it ever since! Married 20 years, the Watkins’ have a 17 year old teen, 3 cats, and love to spend time as a family. When Jill has free-time, you’ll catch her cooking, gardening (she laughs—mostly weed pulling) and enjoying the great outdoors either hiking, biking, or camping. Book a wine tour with Jill…you’ll love it! We’re so fortunate to have her on our team!
Kevin
Wine Tour Guide
Kevin grew up in the wine region south of Napa/Sonoma, and spent his early wine experiences learning as much about wine as he could. In 2001, he moved to Oregon where his love and appreciation for wine grew. Kevin has tasted in over 150 wineries from Southern Oregon to Walla Walla, and when approached to be a wine tour guide for A Great Oregon Wine Tour, he excitedly jumped at the opportunity! It’s been 5 years now with the company and he loves the work more everyday! Kevin lives to share his knowledge about the Oregon wine industry…especially the Willamette Valley! He’s great with facts and enjoys educating guests with figures, facts and trivia. Sharing details about the Willamette Valley wineries and everything surrounding them– from terroir, to vines, to grapes and the wine makers themselves, he is always happy to reveal the complexity of the wine world. Kevin is a natural with people and enjoys paying attention to his guests’ needs in order to help them bond during tours and get the most out of their experience. He understands that a large percentage of his clients know very little about what they are tasting and the details about our amazing wine country, so he enthusiastically thrives on receiving questions and answering them. Married to his lovely wife, Nita, the two enjoy traveling, the arts, volunteering and being a part of their community. The many arts organizations they support include classical music, theater and modern dance and are a huge part of their lives and passion. When Kevin has free-time, you’ll catch him with Nita, family and friends…enjoying wine tasting, the arts, long walks in nature and frequent visits to the Oregon coast! Book a wine tour with Kevin…it’s an experience! We’re so fortunate to have him on our team!
