Welcome to ag venture tours: about us

Ag Venture Tours specializes in wine tasting, sightseeing, and agricultural education tours of the Monterey Bay region of Central California since 1997. This year will be our 26th Anniversary which makes us the oldest operating tour company in the area! We offer half-day van and walking tours for small groups (2-12) and are also available for full-day tours with advanced notice and reservations. We are also available for large group tours and can provide step-on guide service if necessary.

Our Mission is to educate our guests about wine, agriculture, and the rich history and beautiful environment of the Monterey Bay region. Our reputation and experience are second to none in the local tourism industry. We especially value our guests, the community, and the environment sustaining both the hospitality and agriculture industries of the area.

The half-day, van tours either feature wine tasting (Carmel Valley or the Santa Cruz Mountains), sightseeing (Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, or Santa Cruz), or agricultural education (Salinas or Pajaro Valley).

The half-day, walking tours either visit downtown Monterey (history and points of interest), Carmel Valley Village (wine tasting), or Pezzini Farms in Castroville (agricultural education).

Full-day tours (groups of 4-12) are available for either wine tasting, sightseeing, agricultural and/or culinary education but need to be scheduled well in advance. We can also provide educational lectures (wine or agriculture) and wine tastings at either your home or hotel.

If you would like to reserve a tour, you are welcome to use the Peek or Get Your Guide online booking services or contact Ag Venture Tours directly by email or phone.

We guarantee that you will love our tours and be safe in our hands!

Disabled guests can be accommodated on van tours with advance notification as a special vehicle needs to be hired. Please call Ag Venture Tours directly to discuss your options and tour prices.

Gift Certificates starting from $70/person are available for any of our tour options.

Meet Your Guide

Evan Oakes is the owner and tour coordinator for Ag Venture Tours, founded in 1997. Prior to Ag Venture Tours, Evan has been working as an agricultural research scientist for the University of California Cooperative Extension office is Salinas, California, since 1992. He has agricultural degrees from both the University of California, Davis, and Fresno State University, with a specialty in viticulture (grape growing). Evan spent two years working in Australia for a large vineyard and winery before moving to the Monterey Bay area. He is active in many local wine, agriculture, and hospitality organizations and is on the Board of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Insitute of Wine and Food. Evan currently lives in Watsonville, California.