Bainbridge Island pairs wine with real meaning. In just about 3 hours, you’ll visit two top winery stops, get included tastings with the driving handled for you, and add a powerful cultural stop at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. It’s a small-group day too, capped at 11 people, so the whole experience stays relaxed instead of rushed.

I especially like the way the tour mixes tasting room time with behind-the-scenes winemaking context, not just sipping and moving on. I also love the bonus stop for Thomas Dambo’s Pia the Peacekeeper Troll, which turns the day into more than a standard wine run. The main drawback to plan around: it depends on good weather, and ferry-related costs from the Seattle side (boarding fees) aren’t included.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Small group, big attention with a cap of 11 participants
• Two wineries in one visit: Eagle Harbor Wine Co. and Fletcher Bay Winery
• Included tastings and alcoholic beverages so you can sample freely
• A 30-minute memorial stop at the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
• Pia the Peacekeeper Troll by Thomas Dambo adds a playful art break
• Luxury, heated/cooled vehicle keeps the day comfortable

A short day on Bainbridge that feels like two different trips

If you want a fun, drink-in-hand afternoon without the stress of driving, this tour fits the bill. You start on Bainbridge Island and keep your schedule tight: history first, then wineries, then a whimsical art moment before you head back.

The biggest value here is not just that tastings are included. It’s that you get structure: time at each winery is planned for an actual tasting experience, and you also get a meaningful pause at the memorial. That combo can be rare on wine tours that usually ignore the place they’re happening in.

Comfort and logistics: this tour is built for you to relax

You don’t need to think about parking or directions. The tour includes a heated and air-conditioned luxury vehicle, and your guide handles the driving between stops. It’s a practical way to enjoy a wine-focused afternoon, especially if you’re doing it as part of a bigger Seattle trip.

The meeting point is 500 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, and the activity ends back at the same place. There’s no Seattle pick-up included, so you’ll want to plan how you get to Bainbridge in the first place.

Also, there’s a weather factor. The experience requires good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund. That’s good to know in advance if you’re booking during a changeable week.

Stop 1: Japanese American Exclusion Memorial in a 30-minute emotional reset

Before wine, you start with history. You’ll visit the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial for about 30 minutes, and admission is included. This is one of those stops where the time feels right: long enough to be present, short enough to keep the day flowing without feeling like you’re cramming.

What makes this memorial stop meaningful in the context of the tour is the pacing. You don’t turn it into a quick photo-op and then rush off. The schedule gives you a real break in tone—then you move into the lighter, sensory world of wine.

If you’re the kind of person who likes your travel days to have a purpose, this is a strong opening. If you prefer only fun and zero heaviness, you might want to mentally plan for a serious first stop.

Eagle Harbor Wine Co. tasting room: the hour you’ll remember

Next you head to Eagle Harbor Wine Co., where you get about 1 hour of tasting-room time and the admission is included. The tour’s style here is practical: you’re not just handed a glass and pointed toward the door.

This stop is also where the tour’s “behind the scenes” promise starts to pay off. The emphasis is on helping you understand winemaking, so you can connect what you taste to what happens before the wine ever reaches the bottle. That makes tastings more interesting because you’re tasting with context, not just flavor descriptions.

During your tasting, you should expect multiple pours—this is one of those tours where alcoholic beverages are included in the price. In other words, you can take your time, compare styles, and ask questions without playing the mental math game.

Fletcher Bay Winery: more tastings, more process, less guesswork

Your second winery stop is Fletcher Bay Winery, also about 1 hour with admission included. If Eagle Harbor is where you get comfortable with the day’s pace, Fletcher Bay is where you can keep sampling while building a clearer picture of how their wines reflect the island and the process behind them.

Just like the first winery, the tour is built around the idea that you’ll learn as you taste. The highlight mentions going behind the scenes and discovering secrets of winemaking—so the hour here should feel more guided than a self-paced tasting room visit.

One smart tip for you: go in with a couple of preferences in mind. Are you more into crisp whites, fruit-forward reds, or tasting a mix to see what surprises you? If you tell your guide what you like, you’ll usually get tastings that make sense instead of feeling random.

Pia the Peacekeeper Troll: Thomas Dambo’s whimsy on a real island

Between the winery stops, you’ll also see Pia the Peacekeeper Troll by Thomas Dambo. This is the kind of add-on that makes a tour feel like a story, not just a checklist.

It’s playful public art, but it also fits the overall tone of the day: you start with remembrance, then you move into something beautiful and human, then you end with a lighter moment that still feels locally grounded. If you enjoy odd, memorable sights that are fun without requiring a long detour, you’ll likely love this part.

Price and value: what $299 buys you (and why it’s not just about wine)

At $299 per person, the price is definitely not “cheap.” But value in a tour like this isn’t only how many glasses you get. It’s how much you offload: driving, scheduling, and the hassle of coordinating multiple stops on an island day.

You also get:

• Alcoholic beverages included during tastings
• Admission included for the memorial and winery stops
• A luxury vehicle with climate control
• A local Bainbridge Island tour guide
• A planned stop for the troll by Thomas Dambo

If you were doing this on your own, you’d likely end up paying separately for tastings and admissions, then spending extra time figuring out transportation and timing. This tour packages it together in a way that keeps the afternoon efficient and comfortable.

The small-group size—max 11 participants—matters too. More attention, fewer bottlenecks, and a better chance your guide can tailor the experience to what you care about.

Sample lunch: NW Seared Salmon with blackberry aioli (worth noting)

The tour provides a sample main dish: NW Seared Salmon with Blackberry Aioli & Pecans, served with roasted asparagus & green beans. That gives you a hint about the style of food they like—local, Northwest-leaning, and not trying too hard.

I can’t guarantee what you’ll be served for every departure because the information is listed as a sample menu. But if meals are part of your booking on the day, this is exactly the kind of entrée you should expect.

What to watch for before you book

There are a few things you should plan so your day goes smoothly:

• No Seattle pick-up: you’re responsible for getting to Bainbridge on your own.
• Ferry boarding fees aren’t included: if you’re crossing from Seattle, factor in ferry costs.
• Weather matters: the operator notes it requires good weather.

The good news is that once you’re there, the afternoon is built to run cleanly. You’ll have a clear start time at 1:45 pm, and you’ll return to the meeting point when it’s done.

Who this tour suits best

This is a great fit if:

• You want two wineries in one short afternoon without driving.
• You like your wine days to include meaning, not just tasting.
• You prefer a small group where your guide can actually interact instead of rushing people through.
• You want a local-feeling experience on Bainbridge, including the Thomas Dambo troll.

It may feel less ideal if you’re the type who wants only winery time and minimal stops, or if you dislike the idea of starting at a memorial site.

Should you book this Bainbridge Island wine and history tour?

I’d book it if you want a well-paced afternoon that balances wine enjoyment with something real and place-based. The included tastings and admissions make it simple, and the small group size helps keep the tone friendly rather than chaotic. Add the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and Pia the Peacekeeper Troll, and you get more than wine—it’s a day with heart and variety.

One last thought: if the weather is looking iffy, keep your schedule flexible. When conditions are good, this kind of compact island itinerary is exactly the sweet spot between “too rushed” and “too slow.”

FAQ

How long is the Bainbridge Island Troll Treasures & Wine Wonders tour?

The tour runs for about 3 hours (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 1:45 pm.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is capped at 11 participants.

What does the price include?

The price includes alcoholic beverages (tastings), a local Bainbridge Island tour guide, the memorial, and tastings at the two wineries. It also includes an air-conditioned/heated luxury vehicle and the stop for Pia the Peacekeeper Troll by Thomas Dambo.

Which wineries are visited?

You visit Eagle Harbor Wine Co. and Fletcher Bay Winery.

Is the admission for the memorial and winery tastings included?

Yes. The memorial admission is included, and admission for both winery stops is included.

Where is the meeting point, and is Seattle pick-up included?

The meeting point is 500 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Seattle pick-up locations are not included.

Are ferry boarding fees included?

No. Washington State Ferry boarding fees are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.