Your Wine Tour & Ballooning Package:
The flight over the gorgeous Willamette Valley wine country lasts about one hour and is followed by a full brunch buffet and traditional balloonists' toast. Plan on a total of 3 hours for your ballooning experience... You will fly in one of their 8 balloons which carry from 2 to 10 guests each, gaze out at 10 volcanoes on a clear day, skim the Willamette River, and look out at the other balloons around you! Private flights are also available, see below.
'I am not a morning person, but this is worth every missed minute of sleep. It's 6a.m., and along with my fellow passengers, I eagerly wait to soar over Yamhill County in a hot-air balloon.'
Because cool winds circulating from the nearby Coastal Mountain Range cause turbulence late in the day, sunrise balloon rides are a must in the Yamhill County. We watch as the crew unfurls and inflates the enormous canvas. It looks a bit like a beached whale when it's on its side', says Roger, our pilot and co-owner of Vista Balloon Adventures.
Your balloon adventure would be handled by Vista Balloon Adventures (default). Alternatives are Portland Rose Balloons, Floatin' on Air Balloon Adventures or Balloon Flying Service (Salem).
The flight over the gorgeous Willamette Valley wine country lasts about one hour and is followed by a full brunch buffet and traditional balloonists' toast. Plan on a total of 3 hours for your ballooning experience... You will fly in one of their 8 balloons which carry from 2 to 10 guests each, gaze out at 10 volcanoes on a clear day, skim the Willamette River, and look out at the other balloons around you! Private flights are also available, see below.
'I am not a morning person, but this is worth every missed minute of sleep. It's 6a.m., and along with my fellow passengers, I eagerly wait to soar over Yamhill County in a hot-air balloon.'
Because cool winds circulating from the nearby Coastal Mountain Range cause turbulence late in the day, sunrise balloon rides are a must in the Yamhill County. We watch as the crew unfurls and inflates the enormous canvas. It looks a bit like a beached whale when it's on its side', says Roger, our pilot and co-owner of Vista Balloon Adventures.
Your balloon adventure would be handled by Vista Balloon Adventures (default). Alternatives are Portland Rose Balloons, Floatin' on Air Balloon Adventures or Balloon Flying Service (Salem).
Vista Balloons: (Info & Instructions) - If we choose a different ballooning company, we will send you separate Info & Instructions
When its time to board, Roger instructs us on how to clamber into a basket. 'There's no graceful way to do this', he says. Once were aloft, the scenery is, at first, residential--rows of homes with varying backyard themes pass below us, dogs bark excitedly at the inverted teardrop. But as we drift forward and up to a height of 1000 feet, the vista's change to open fields, hills, horse corrals and verdant rows of grapes. Roger notes the landmarks below: George Fox University, a Christian university founded as a school for Quakers in 1885; and the award winning Argyle Winery, known for its Black Brut Sparkling Wine. The flight is about one hour and there is a sparkling brunch after the flight. -- a ballooning tradition dating back centuries and a traditional toast in honor of your flight. After each flight we will celebrate your adventure with a sparkling beverage hot brunch! Begin with your choice of refreshing cold beverages - fruit juice, Martinelli's sparkling apple cranberry juice or Argyle sparkling wine and a traditional toast in honor of your flight.
Next, it's food time! The all-you-can-eat buffet menu (which changes daily) can include a variety of cheeses, crackers, fruits, pastries, olives, mushrooms, pate etc. Many days they have scrambled egg breakfast burritos and sausage fresh for your enjoyment. It's delicious! Save a bit of room for the delicious deserts. (If you have dietary restrictions and/or questions please call the office before your flight.) And after breakfast you are chauffeured to your 1st winery.
*Flight season is April-November, weather permitting.
Next, it's food time! The all-you-can-eat buffet menu (which changes daily) can include a variety of cheeses, crackers, fruits, pastries, olives, mushrooms, pate etc. Many days they have scrambled egg breakfast burritos and sausage fresh for your enjoyment. It's delicious! Save a bit of room for the delicious deserts. (If you have dietary restrictions and/or questions please call the office before your flight.) And after breakfast you are chauffeured to your 1st winery.
*Flight season is April-November, weather permitting.
Private Flights
The same unique ballooning adventure, but it will only be you, your companion, and a pilot in your own balloon. Cost is $625. Plan ahead for that special occasion: proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays. These flights sell out every year. Private flights for more than 2 people are also available.
Ballooning meeting time in Newberg is 5:15-7:30AM, depending on the time of year; so My Chauffeur will pick you up from your location with enough time to get you there on time. Your whole balloon ride adventure is complete about 8:30-9:00 AM, or about 3-3.5 hours after arrival, including brunch and all. Between ballooning and wine touring, we would need to fill in a little time, about an hour. So a trip to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum may be at hand or a coffee shop stop (p.s. many of the balloon riders and staff will meet at the Coffee Cottage after the brunch) or Champoeg State Park.
Your ballooning/wine touring day would end about 1:30-2:00pm. Extended 5-8 hour wine tours and all-inclusive packages are also available. Your personal concierge can customize your tour as needed.
See the Vista Balloon video feature on Grant's Getaways!
Vista Balloons Terms and Conditions for Flights:
The Staff, Pilots and Crew at Vista Balloon Adventures
Terms on single page
The same unique ballooning adventure, but it will only be you, your companion, and a pilot in your own balloon. Cost is $625. Plan ahead for that special occasion: proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays. These flights sell out every year. Private flights for more than 2 people are also available.
Ballooning meeting time in Newberg is 5:15-7:30AM, depending on the time of year; so My Chauffeur will pick you up from your location with enough time to get you there on time. Your whole balloon ride adventure is complete about 8:30-9:00 AM, or about 3-3.5 hours after arrival, including brunch and all. Between ballooning and wine touring, we would need to fill in a little time, about an hour. So a trip to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum may be at hand or a coffee shop stop (p.s. many of the balloon riders and staff will meet at the Coffee Cottage after the brunch) or Champoeg State Park.
Your ballooning/wine touring day would end about 1:30-2:00pm. Extended 5-8 hour wine tours and all-inclusive packages are also available. Your personal concierge can customize your tour as needed.
See the Vista Balloon video feature on Grant's Getaways!
Vista Balloons Terms and Conditions for Flights:
- Reservations are refundable or changeable up to 72 hours prior to your scheduled flight. If you only paid a deposit at time of booking, the balance will be charged to your card 15 days before the flight. No refunds will be issued for no-shows, arrivals after balloons have departed, or cancellations within a 72-hour window. Weather cancellations are made at the sole discretion of Vista. In the event of a weather cancellation, you can obtain a refund or reschedule. Prior to your flight, you will be required to submit a signed waiver. All refunds will be made to the same credit or debit card used for the purchase, or in the case of cash and checks, by check. For groups of 10 or more additional terms apply: 1) a 50% penalty will be applied to cancellations within 1 week of flight; and 2) reservations are nonrefundable with 72 hours of scheduled flight. Terms and Conditions for Gift Certificates: Gift certificates are refundable in full within 6 months of purchase. Once redeemed, Terms and Conditions for Flights apply (see above).
- Cancellations require a 72 hour notice; the full amount for your flight will be charged for cancellations or no-shows without the required notice. Gift certificates will be voided. If you have any questions regarding payment or flight arrangements, please call our office prior to your scheduled flight date.
The Staff, Pilots and Crew at Vista Balloon Adventures
- Cancellations due to a My Chauffeur arrival time error will receive a full refund (including the ballooning portion). However, late arrival times for circumstances outside of My Chauffeur's control (acts of God*, for instance), only the wine tour portion will be refunded if the wine tour is cancelled.
Terms on single page
For wine tour and ballooning packages, please note that if you cancel either the wine tour or balloon flight, regular pricing will apply to the remaining booking.
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Book now for the season or give the gift of ballooning! Give the gift of ballooning! The flight over the gorgeous Willamette Valley wine country lasts about one hour and is followed by a brunch buffet and traditional balloonists' toast. These certificates make great holiday, birthday, and anniversary gifts. Auction? We offer Non-profit Auction Gift Certificates for 2 ppl at 50% off the regular rate before discounts or $350 + $215 (2 ppl) for the Ballooning GC = $565. Please Inquire.
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'What should I wear and bring for ballooning?' Dress for the outdoors and casually. Even midsummer mornings can be brisk, so dress appropriately and wear walking shoes (shoes you would wear walking around a field - a wet field!. Don't bundle up too much though; layers are advised. Once in the air, it will not be colder than on the ground-you'll feel no wind, and the 15 million BTU propane burner will reflect enough heat to keep you plenty comfortable. Wear a hat if you're tall or if your head is sensitive to heat. Be sure to bring a camera with twice as much film as you think you could possibly use and/or your video camera, and don't forget the spare batteries. There's nothing like a bright blue sky and a vivid hot air balloon rising to its full 100 foot height to transform an aspiring amateur into a professional photographer on the spot!
'Do you have to sign anything for the balloon ride?' Yes, you will need to sign the Vista Balloon Waiver (if taking Vista Balloon; otherwise a different waiver will apply) for each passenger which you can bring with you (print as many as you need). One less thing to worry about early in the morning! .
When you call to make your reservation, please give us everyone's names, approximate weights and mailing address to send your ballooning photo. Also, let us know if you have any physical or medical conditions which may require special arrangements. Ballooning TERMS: The Ballooning terms for Vista Balloons are above. If another ballooning company is used, you will receive those terms independently.
Arrival times by date. October Tours (see below). Questions and Useful Information.
When you call to make your reservation, please give us everyone's names, approximate weights and mailing address to send your ballooning photo. Also, let us know if you have any physical or medical conditions which may require special arrangements. Ballooning TERMS: The Ballooning terms for Vista Balloons are above. If another ballooning company is used, you will receive those terms independently.
Arrival times by date. October Tours (see below). Questions and Useful Information.
In October, ballooning is late afternoons...with a 3:30pm meeting time (no morning flights due to fog). Winery crush, fall colors and ballooning.
- Your day starts at 9:30 AM when we pick your group up at your Portland area location.
- Wine touring until 3:30 PM.
- Ballooning meet time in Newberg is 3:30 PM, and your balloon ride is compete about 6:30 - 7:00 PM.
- Your ballooning/ wine touring day would end about 8 pm with a drop-off in Portland.
Vista Balloons - More Useful Info!
After arriving at the Sportsman Airpark, Newberg (HWY 219 & INDUSTRIAL PKWY).
Look for our yellow check-in tent - please check in as soon as you arrive! At check-in we will collect your boarding pass, answer questions for you, direct you to the rest rooms, and introduce you to
your pilot and crew.
You are invited to help with the setup of the balloons if you like. Some people volunteer to get
gloves and go for some ˝hands-on ˛ experience, assisting pilots and crew with the inflation. Others devote
their talents to photography, video taping, or simply watching the fun unfold.
The balloons will launch at dawn. Your flight will last about one hour. Please remember - every
flight is different, the balloons may go one mile, or ten miles - no matter where the wind takes you, you
will experience the exhilaration, the peace, the quiet of lighter-than-air balloon flight. Come prepared to
have a great time!
After the flight, when the balloon has been deflated, our chase crew will drive you back to the
Sportsman Airpark for our post-flight sparkling brunch and story telling. Please allow 3 to 3 ½ hours,
not including drive time, for your adventure.
Some details to make your experience even better...
Saturday, Sunday or Monday.) We ask you to trust our judgement about weather conditions, based on
years of local knowledge...We will not fly if the weather is unsafe or will not give you the adventure you
deserve. We want to give you the ballooning adventure of a lifetime and we ask your patience and
understanding if we postpone your flight because of weather.
Look for our yellow check-in tent - please check in as soon as you arrive! At check-in we will collect your boarding pass, answer questions for you, direct you to the rest rooms, and introduce you to
your pilot and crew.
You are invited to help with the setup of the balloons if you like. Some people volunteer to get
gloves and go for some ˝hands-on ˛ experience, assisting pilots and crew with the inflation. Others devote
their talents to photography, video taping, or simply watching the fun unfold.
The balloons will launch at dawn. Your flight will last about one hour. Please remember - every
flight is different, the balloons may go one mile, or ten miles - no matter where the wind takes you, you
will experience the exhilaration, the peace, the quiet of lighter-than-air balloon flight. Come prepared to
have a great time!
After the flight, when the balloon has been deflated, our chase crew will drive you back to the
Sportsman Airpark for our post-flight sparkling brunch and story telling. Please allow 3 to 3 ½ hours,
not including drive time, for your adventure.
Some details to make your experience even better...
- Dress for the out-of-doors - layers work well - and wear good shoes (the grass can be wet at dawn.)
- If you are tall or the top of your head is sensitive to heat, please bring a hat.
- Please feel free to bring cameras and video recorders! Space in the balloon does not allow for large
- Please do not bring pets to the field: The fans and burners are loud and can be frightening, not to
- Please let us know if you have any physical or medical conditions which might require special arrangements.
Saturday, Sunday or Monday.) We ask you to trust our judgement about weather conditions, based on
years of local knowledge...We will not fly if the weather is unsafe or will not give you the adventure you
deserve. We want to give you the ballooning adventure of a lifetime and we ask your patience and
understanding if we postpone your flight because of weather.
