My party were the only guests on the tour as they just started doing tours again after the Palisades fire so I felt very spoiled by the personalized service on this tour. :) Everything was great from the wine to the food and the history lesson we received about Malibu and the surrounding areas. We went on a beautiful sunny day and we even got the chance to see peacocks on one of our stops. read more

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We had an outstanding tour on a beautiful So Cal Saturday. My wife and I were the only guests on our tour accompanied by guide Steven. It began with a tasty brunch and wine at Kristy's in Malibu. Wonderful food and service. The wine tasting rooms we visited were among the best we been to. We miss Rosenthal's tasting room on PCH, so we had a little bit of nostalgia heading up to the estate. We actually ran into the owner, Ken at one of our stops. Both Ken and Steven are terrific hosts. I highly recommend this tour. read more

I don't even know where to start with this tour. Having a bachelorette party planned during COVID is stressful but Ken went above and beyond to give us the most memorable day. We each got a gift bag filled with water and snacks which came in clutch later in the day and quickly stopped for a photo op overlooking the ocean. Our first winery was Cornell Winery and Tasting Room, where we got to shop in the adorable shop and taste 4 wines. The views and ambiance were unique and beautiful! Ken pulled out a polaroid and took pictures for us and, for being the Bachelorette, he also gave me a Malibu bag filled with Malibu Discovery merch. From there we went to lunch at Kristy's Cafe where we spotted a Celeb, met the restaurant owner, and had a tasty lunch. Our last stop was at Hoyt Family Vineyards, where we tasted wine on the winemaker's back patio overlooking the ocean. We tasted 5/6 wines (it got blurry near the end, haha), each of which were so phenomenal that we all joined her wine club. Ken never rushed us, he made sure we got from place to place safely and had a blast while doing so. This is SO worth the price. We all have been raving about this experience since, and I would recommend Ken to anybody. Ken - I promise I will see you next time I am in Malibu. You are AMAZING! THANK YOU MALIBU DISCOVERY read more

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The driver and owner was so nice the history we learned about the city was awesome the view, foid and of course the wine was everything. read more

Malibu Discovery - This was our view at dinner - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

You have found the most amazing people to show you the city, give a wine tour, or any other adventure you can think of. Ken will help make your trip/vacation an unbelievable experience. We can not thank him enough for making us feel at home with him and his company. The tours were so informative and sights so beautiful. We HIGHLY recommend using Ken every time you need an excursion in the area, check with Ken first he is so accommodating! Thank you again for making our trip full of a lifetime of memories!! read more

Our experience with Malibu Discovery Staff is nothing short of amazing. From the planning stages to the actual execution of our event was above and beyond our expectations. There were 14 of us and the majority of the bachelorette is coming from Napa which is also very famous for spectacular wineries. Ken was very accommodating even with my most peculiar request (we had 2 bachelorettes that were pregnant and we had a wine-tasting tour package). Caitlin our event coordinator and Tom our tour guide was very patient and responsive to our requests throughout the event. The wineries that they chose were very classy and you can tell how dedicated they were to making the event memorable for everyone. It truly was the highlight of our weekend and making our barbie bride's dream come to life meant the world to me. If you are looking for a company that's passionate and committed to making memories that can last a lifetime, I would highly recommend Malibu Discovery Tours! To Ken and Staff, I am very much grateful for you guys and I am looking forward to doing business with you guys again for future events! Hopefully sooner than later! :) Salute! read more

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It was a beautiful day and the scenery was gorgeous. Ken picked me and the birthday boy up and drove us through areas unknown to us. He gave us an interesting run-down of the history of each location and took us to a couple of spots to get out and take it all in. My friend and I are new to wine, so, it was nice to be educated on grapes, demographics, and the process of making wines. In addition to tasting some really good, smooth glasses both while relaxing and with a delicious lunch. Hope this review helps with making your decision for a wine tour easier :) read more

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I can't emphasize enough how amazing my wine tasting trip was. It was well put together by Ken. Definitely was a very memorable day. Thank you Tom and Ken for being so professional and helpful throughout our trip. Thank you for making it extra special. read more

We had a great tour of Malibu there's really nothing else like it! Our driver and tour guide Tom picked up our group in Santa Monica in the morning and whisked us away in a beautiful luxurious private tour van! On the way out to Malibu Tom was both informative and entertaining! We had our first wine tasting at the Rosenthal tasting room by the beach, then on to lunch (and the wine kept flowing) and afterwards to another gorgeous wine tasting room snuggled in the canyons of the Malibu wine country vineyards. Beautiful views and good wines, who knew?... Malibu has world class vineyards! We went by celebs houses and had a blast. We checked out other tours options but they all seemed kind of tacky. This one is the real deal, by the time we returned to Santa Monica we were ready for a nap, but still had time to get ready for dinner. Highly recommend! read more

I can not reccomend this enough! This was the most fun wine tasting I have ever been to. ASK FOR TOM AS YOUR DRIVER!! He made all the difference in the world. He is a great guy and has some amazing stories to tell. read more

I really wanted to enjoy this tour company for my birthday, but my friends and I were left disappointed. For $199 I was expecting a relaxing time but unfortunately felt judged by the driver who had a demeaning attitude and was driving ridiculously. When booking, I asked a few times about lunch and if there was a set menu. I was told we could order whichever entree we wanted, which wasn't the truth. There is a prefixed menu and on top of that, the restaurant was slow. We went to Kristy's where we had to ask multiple times for silverware and some of our meals were cold. I also didn't appreciate getting told by the driver, that the restaurant we were going to isn't loud and that there's no screaming inside. I'm not sure what he was trying to say but it came off very condescending and inappropriate. The two stars are for the tasting rooms where we had great customer service and ended up buying a few bottles from the Cornell Winery and Tasting Room. I'm grateful for my friends who kept me sane, but I will never recommend or deal with this company again. read more

If was a very beautiful experience. I love every minute of it! I never knew there where wineries in Malibu. Gorgeous places. Tom our driver was genuine, really nice and made our day beautiful. From the moment he picked us up until drop off time. He didn't rush us and let us experience as much as possible. I love the wineries we visited and I will probably my go back to a few of them, since I know now where they are located. Thank you Malibu Discovery for making an exclusive experience. I will see you again in the future. read more

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I'm already planning my next wine tour! This was truly everything and more. I was looking for an amazing experience for my mother's birthday. The wine and sightseeing tour went above and beyond! Highlights - the tour guide was a historian wine tasting was stellar lunch was incredible views price was perfect read more

Highly recommend Malibu Discovery - we went for a bachelorette party & it was such a unique and fun experience! We first went to Cornell Winery & Tasting room where we had a private tasting (great gift shop!). Then we headed to Kristy's Cafe for lunch which was delicious! Finally we went to Hoyt Vineyards - the tasting was actually on the owner's property where we were spoiled with amazing views (see pictures). Carol was very friendly and made the experience fun! Everyone ended up joining the wine club because the wines were divine! Thank you Ken for this unique and your amazing hospitality! read more

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Went on a wine tour with my hubby and two good friends on a Saturday. The booking process was easy and came with complete details including exact pick up time and location. We met up in Santa Monica and Rich, our driver and tour guide, was punctual. The van we rode in was clean & comfortable. He even handed out a welcome bag full of goodies: water bottle, granola bar, wipes, and a box of raisin ( a nice touch). We were the only passengers in the van for our time slot (we saw more company vans during our tour.). Although we didn't pay for a private van, this was a pleasant surprise. We appreciated not feeling packed in with a lot of other passengers. Three wine tastings were included as well as lunch at a nearby restaurant. We started out at 10:30am and got to our first winery, Rosenthal. It was not crowded yet since it was early. We then had a nice lunch at Kristy's in Malibu. Rich had taken our lunch order in the car on the way to the restaurant. Our food came out fast as we sat sipping our complementary wines. The next winery was Sip (a hip spot) where we ended up buying a delicious Cabernet to enjoy later. Our last winery was Cornell which was also a landmark location ( having the oldest building in Malibu). The whole tour was laid back. We never felt rushed. Rich was pleasant, courteous, filled us with fun facts and information as he drove us through the beautiful coast and canyons. He even pointed out some wild peacocks at one of the wineries. Thank you Rich! The whole experience was well worth the money: we got to sample 3-4 wines at each winery, served a delicious lunch and appetizer, got a wealth of information about Malibu- all while being driven in a comfortable van! Would highly recommend it! read more

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Wonderful Day! Great locations, great food and wine. Tom was incredibly knowledgeable about the Malibu area and its history, as well as super fun, attentive and helpful. I'm a local resident of Santa Monica and learned so much. Plan to do this again with out of town family and friends. Way worth the price! read more

The driver Tom was amazing. Very insightful and gave background information on the places we visited. Unfortunately, this wine tour wasn't worth the $450 we we're charged. We were expecting to have private time together on the ride to the tasting, but nope! Another couple was picked-up. The breakfast place we visited forgot one of the orders, but Tom our driver was so awesome, he bought a round of shots for everyone. The first wine tasting place we visited was ok, the ladies pouring the wine interestingly enough weren't VERY knowledgeable in their own wine. Personally this wine tour isn't worth the money. read more

We met Ken, the owner of Malibu Discovery Tours, around 6:30 AM at a Starbucks in Santa Monica to head out for our sunrise hike. Five of us were transported in a luxury minibus to Will Rogers State Historic Park. Malibu Discovery has a permit to be on the property well before the general public so the place was nearly deserted when we arrived. As we hiked, Ken told us all about Will Rogers, his estate, his career and his family. The hour-long hike to and from inspiration point wasn't very rigorous but the view was beautiful, particularly when the sun rose. Once we finished, we toured the estate and visited the small museum in Roger's honor and watched a brief video about his life. Malibu Discovery tours gave us a goodie bag with water, lemonade, a granola bar and a brochure. For the Groupon deal, it was worth it. We had a lovely morning. read more

Why didn't I know of this company beforehand?!? I recently went of the Brunch wine tasting tour - LOVED IT! We were a group of 3 & since we were the only people booked we pretty much had a private wine tasting tour for 5 hours. The van picked us up. It was a really nice luxury van. All leather, tv, comfy seats. Our driver even told us it had a disco ball but we didn't have him drop it for us. Rich was our driver. Great guy. Extremely knowledgeable. What I liked most about Rich was that he was around but he gave us our space. Heck he could have stuck around he was cool. We went to brunch in Malibu & then on to 2 wineries. I will definitely book another tour with them! read more

I found a deal on Groupon for the sunrise hike tour and it was such a great way to start my morning! We met our tour guide at 6:45am at a Starbucks in Santa Monica. Then we were off to Will Rogers State Park in a nice air conditioned van. Our tour guide, Ken, gave each of us a bag of bottled water and granola bar. The boyfriend definitely devoured those granola bars, btw. =P We arrived at Will Rogers State Park and started on our hike. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was out and the sky clear. Since it was a Friday morning, it was just my boyfriend and I on the hike. Ken says weekends are usually busy with each hike consisting of about 8 people. The hike took about an hour and a half. It's a relatively easy hike and once at the top you get to enjoy a spectacular view of LA. Ken was very knowledgeable and nice. I left that hike with some information I never knew about a city I've lived in for the past 25 years. Definitely not an outdoors-y kinda girl, but it was nice to fit in some exercise that morning, and enjoy the sights of a city that's just starting to wake up. =] read more

We got a Groupon for 2 people for the sunrise hiking tour a while back. When it was almost expired, I called in and the owner Ken told me not to worry about it, and to just come in the next couple months and they'd still honor the deal. Unfortunately I waited 8 months after the groupon expired to finally book the tour. Ken wasn't able to honor the full deal anymore but still gave us 25% off instead of the original 50% off from groupon. Which was super cool of him! The day of the tour, we met at 6:30am at a Starbucks in Santa Monica, and Ken took the group on a very professional, leather seated, air conditioned shuttle van and off we go to the Will Rogers Estate Park. They even gave us all a little bag with water, lemonade, granola bar, raisins, and brochures. The hike was brisk but invigorating! The sun was out, and Ken told us all about Will Rogers' life, his property, and Ken's personal touring stories. After the hike, we checked out the rest of the facility and Will Rogers' house. The only thing I was disappointed in was that I read someone else's Yelp review which said that they went to the gift shop and also watched a short documentary on Will Rogers after the hike. That didn't happen to us. :( But Ken pretty much covered all the information about Will Rogers, and it was definitely still an awesome hike seriously worth the deal! I am now considering booking other tours with Malibu Discovery because that was such a great experience. Thanks Ken! read more

Malibu Discovery - Sunrise hiking tour! - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

My fiancee & I did The Getty Villa, Wine Tasting & Lunch In Malibu tour a few weeks ago and we were pretty disappointed with the overall experience but especially with our tour guide. When we arrived, our tour guide Charlie tried to tell us there was no wine tasting included in the tour, which we found quite confusing as it is clearly listed on the website that this is the final stop in the tour. (The three other people on the tour were expecting this wine tasting as well). We then asked him to clarify this again while we were at The Getty and he was very dismissive to everyone in the group and tried to suggest we had made the mistake of booking the wrong tour. He told us that "wine tasting is never included in the Getty tour", even though this tour is listed under the "Wine Tours" tab on the website and clearly specifies: "Your tour includes a visit to the world-famous Getty Villa Museum with a wine reception, a delicious lunch with wine along the Pacific in Malibu, and final stop tasting some of Malibu's finest wines". He was really trying to avoid resolving the issue at all cost and suggested to us that we would need to call the owner of Malibu Discovery, and that there was nothing he could do. All we wanted to do was go to the wine tasting as had been promised on the website. It led to a very uncomfortable environment and really affected our group's experience. We felt like he was just trying to lie to us and get out of taking us to the wine tasting. He proceeded to tell us that the information on the website was outdated - But over two weeks later the website is still exactly the same. The Getty Villa is beautiful and if that is what you are looking to explore then I'd suggest going there separately - it is free entry. The Rosenthal Tasting room is also just down the road from the Getty and you could easily get an Uber there on your own. For the high cost of this tour, wouldn't recommend. read more

If I could give 100 STARS I would! What an absolutely incredible experience! I planned a tour for a fairly large party of 17 people for my fiancé's birthday this past May. For any type of wine tour this would be considered a very large group to transport and entertain but Ken did not leave us wanting in anyway . We all arrived at our meeting spot to find Ken and another driver waiting for us with two beautiful and clean SUV's, they warmly greeted us with snacks and water. Our first stop was winetasting which was incredible (we added the cheese boards to our tour which I highly recommend. ) Then it was off to Kristy's in Malibu for a fabulous lunch (the food and staff were outstanding) where they also had cake and sang Happy Birthday to my fiancé. After socializing and eating at Kristy's we were then transported to Point Bluff Dunes where we made birthday cheers and thanks while dolphins put on a show for us, it was just perfect. Ken and his team then safely transported us back to our original meeting place at the end of the day. If you are searching for the best wine tour Malibu has to offer your search ends here, give Ken a call I promise you will NOT be disappointed! Thank you Ken and Malibu Discovery for a day we will not soon forget. read more

Malibu Discovery - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We had booked a bachelorette party wine tour for April. Unfortunately due to COVID travel was not advisable, and I have to assume tours were not being given. My friends and myself left several voicemails and emails with no response at all. I understand businesses are suffering but at least a response would have been nice. This guy took our money and ran. Do not book here. read more

My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of going on the Sunrise Hiking tour at Will Rogers State Park with Ken as our guide and it was incredible!! I learned so much and saw gorgeous views along the way. If you want a beautiful start to the day with an inspiring story, this is your tour!! read more

Malibu Discovery - Inspiration Point - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Great tour and our host Stephen was very knowledgeable and a lot of fun!!! Highly recommended this tour.

I like to travel light, especially when it comes to wine tasting. Traveling to Napa might be nice, if your flight doesn't get canceled, or if I don't have to deal with renting a car. Like the previous Yelper, I had no idea we had wineries in Malibu either. Once the tour van arrived I was already impressed. The friendly driver was on time, the interior comfortable with leather seats, TV, and access lighting. We visited the following wineries, each encompasses its own unique style, and experience: ~Rosenthal Estate along PCH....Casual setting, outdoor patio seating where you can hear the waves crashing. ~Cornell Winery....I loved every single tasting at this winery, country bar like setting, with personable staff. ~SIP Malibu....A more luxurious atmosphere, with chandeliers, candlelit room, and a wide variety of wines. My favorite was Pink Lady (there's a cute story on where the label picture was originated) ~Malibu Cafe....This is where we had our lunches. Since then I have gone back to this cafe for 2 other occasions. The location is just breathtaking. Almost like something from a romance novel. The Kobe beef sliders were excellent. The tour also comes with a free tote bag, and celebrity house hunting. By the end of the tour, let's just say I'm glad I'm not the designated driver. 5 stars all the way!! read more

Whether you go in a group, as a couple, or even single, a tourist or local, this is such a fantastic "Nugget Tour" I like to call it, as it takes you into the heart of Malibu! I am a local Calfornian and I went stag on the trip as my husband was out of town, and by the end of our journey, I had 4 new fabulous friends from around the world (Austrailia, UK, and Canada). I actually learned more about Malibu than ever before and was exposed to the most beautiful hidden treasures that I even knew existed. The personal pick up begins the eloquence of the day! The tour driver was not only personable and very well versed with Malibu and all of LA, but also quickly picked up on each and every one of our personalities and catered to us all. The tour bus is unbelievably comfortable, luxurious even and makes for a very pleasant experience. Each winery (Cornell, Rosenthal Estate along PCH, Malibu Wines) offers its own special ambiance and magical memory as I had the time of my life learning about some of the key vintners, the history of growing their grapes and producing excellent wines. The scenic route is surreal and the some of the hidden treasures include the beautiful Pepperdine University Campus, Malibou Lake, The Rock Store, gorgeous mountains, ocean views, vineyards, and literally there is something for everyone! Malibu Grapes also offers Whale Watching Tours, Hiking, and a Celebrity Lifestyle Tour in addition to this amazing Wine Tasting Tour! Our lunch was at the Malibu Cafe which provides a delicious tour specific menu and keeps the party going with more wine, a breathtaking view of the ocean at the Malibu Pier, and I happen to love this restaurant, so I was ecstatic to find this as part of our adventures of the day! I highly recommend the Malibu Grapes Wine Trail Tour to everyone! LIke I said earlier, by the end of the tour I had a new group of friends and we all exchanged information to keep in touch - what a hoot! All I can say is WHO KNEW there was so much to see and do in Malibu and I am telling you it is nothing short of spectacular! Can't wait to do another tour with them again! Thank you Malibu Grapes! 5 Stars All the Way! read more

We enjoyed the Malibu discovery tour. Our only problem was when we were finally taken to Duke's in Malibu for dinner. We ordered our food only to be told by the restaurant staff that the menu we had was "outdated." Sure would have been nice to know this before we ordered our food. Our drivers car was clean and comfortable. He gave us great information about the local sites. Overall a good trip but would have been better if the menu choices were current read more

Loved this wine tour. Our driver, Angelique was AHH-MAZING. At the end of the day, everyone exchanged info! Setting up the reservation was also a wonderful experience -- they're so organized, helpful, and kind! On the tour you get a little bag full of goodies...if you're a little more of a lightweight, this bag is for you! Water, a yummy granola bar, chocolate, and some cool multivitamin pills will make your day a little easier. When I have extra money, I definitely wouldn't mind going on this tour again! For those of you planning to go, make sure you ask what tasting rooms you'll be going to on the day you reserve. read more

Malibu Discovery tours is amazing, the staff are knowledgeable, hospitable, and just plain awesome. I went on a Saturday wine tasting tour, the three locations were wonderful and diverse with different music and ambiance. I never knew Malibu produced such great wine. We were treated very well, I defiantly felt like a very important person. We were transported in a Mercedes Van. The driver ,Charlie, was attentive and entertaining, he made sure we were enjoy our tour. I would recommend this tour to all my friends read more

A group of friends surprised me with a terrific birthday present. 7 of us were in the good hands of Melanie, our driver/guide. As a previous reviewer mentioned, who knew that what we experienced existed just a short drive from the Westside of LA. Visited 3 winery tasting rooms, interspersed with sightseeing in the Malibu hills and canyons. Finished up with a delightful lunch at Kristy's. This tour is great for locals and visitors alike. read more

Wow, wow, wow! Who knew there were so many wineries with such rich history right here in the Santa Monica and Malibu mountains. Ken was an incredible guide and we highly recommend this! I went with some old friends from an old job, and it was fun to chat and catch up throughout the day at each picturesque spot. At one of them the tour also provided a yummy cheese plate to snack on, and We ended up having lunch overlooking the pacific in Malibu at another spot I never knew existed. Plan a group or go with strangers and make new friends. You can't go wrong! read more

Malibu Discovery - Fun catching up with old friends! - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I booked a custom tour for my fiance's birthday in September and it was the best day we could have asked for. We had family visiting from the UK and wanted to show them the best parts of sunny LA. Hiring a professional guide (and a pristine Mercedes Sprinter) through Mailbu Discovery was the best choice we could have made! Here's the synopsis; We started the day at 10:30am and made our way from Studio City to Paramount Ranch for a walk around the old western town. Next we went wine tasting at the Cornell Winery down the hill and, after a few glasses, we ventured to lunch at the Malibu Pier where we took some great family photos. We made our way down PCH to Santa Monica and spent an hour, or so, playing games and riding the ferris wheel on the pier. The last leg of our trip took us through Hollywood and up the hills to The Griffith Observatory where we watched a sunset alongside a view of the whole city and the Hollywood sign. Our driver was friendly and knowledgeable throughout the entire tour and the whole day went off without a hitch. I recommend Malibu Discovery without reservation and look forward to going on another tour with them sometime soon! read more

I would NOT trust these people to do the right thing if they were trying to sell something to you. They may make an offer that that they are not able to deliver on. Such as the van they offered for sale that was NOT. I spent money doing a Carfax on a van they had for sale only to find out that they had already sold it but failed to take the ad down. Now I am out $20. read more

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the winery tour drinking delicious wine while learning about and seeing the beautiful mountains of Malibu. We had a delicious lunch at Kristie's with the magnificent views of the pacific. Ken was great to speak with while booking the tour and during the tour of Sip. Tom was a very nice and informative tour guide. We highly recommend the tour. read more

Malibu Discovery - this says it all - Wineries Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Malibu Discovery - Sunrise Hike Tour. Outstanding! Ken, the owner, was our guide today. It rained last night, but Ken promised a spectacular morning today and he delivered! Visibility went on for miles, the air was crisp, and the sky was clear and blue. Each hiker was given a small bag with a bottle of water, a granola bar and a wet wipe. Ken transported us from the meeting location in Santa Monica to the Will Rogers National Park. We hiked for 1 1/2 hrs, easy hike on clear, wide paths created by Mr Will Rogers himself. The tour culminated with a visit to the Will Rogers museum and a very impressive film clip - don't miss it. We highly recommend this tour, which is offered 7 days a week!!! read more

Had a lovely tour celebrating my dad's 80th birthday. With a group of 13 -- ranging in age from 5 to 80 -- it's hard to please everyone. Ken and his crew found just the right mix. While the adults enjoyed wine tasting and a scrumptious cheese platter, the kids played at the nearby beach. With covid surging again, we asked to change our initial plans for lunch indoors. Ken's Plan B made everyone feel comfortable. The visit to the nature preserve after lunch was the perfect ending to a terrific trip. read more

Everything about this wine tour experience was awesome! The driver/guide, each winery, and food were all way above expectations. I recommend this tour to anyone who likes fun! read more

This was an amazing tour! We went on the Malibu Wine Tasting Tour and had a ball. Our driver/tour guide, Tom, was the freaking bomb!!! He was knowledgeable about the area, celebrity's, and history. He was very accommodating. He made us feel special and really took good care of us. The locations we visited were so nice, from Rosenthal Winery, Kristy's Village Cafe to Cornell Winery & Tasting Room...we enjoyed them all. This tour is worth every penny. Book yours today and ask for Tom. You will not be disappointed. read more