How To Get The Most Out Of Your Winery Tasting Tour

Even if you’re not an aspiring sommelier, a winery tasting tour is one of the greatest opportunities possible to engage with the local culture of the area.

At the same time, you can explore some new flavors and textures while supporting local businesses and food producers. 

And to ensure that you get the most from your winery tasting tour experience, here are some simple and easy steps to follow.

1. Plan Your Winery Tasting Tour in Advance

Ideally, as far in advance as possible. Winery tasting tours where everything goes right are usually those planned well in advance. Doing this helps you avoid crowds, save money, and savor each stop that much more, because you know you don’t have to worry about or think about anything.

Start the process by researching:

• Which wineries are in the area?
• What are their tasting hours?
• Do they take reservations?
• What types of wine do they produce?
• What’s the distance between the wineries you’re interested in?

Most wineries nowadays require reservations, especially on weekends. So, booking your appointment in advance keeps you from missing out on anything.

If you plan on visiting several wineries, try to limit yourself to 2-4 wineries per day.

That allows you to more fully appreciate each winery tasting tour while you’re on it, without rushing to get to the next one on time. A slower pace also helps you relax more and ease into the moment.

2. Choose Your Times Wisely

Your overall experience at a winery tasting tour largely depends on your timing.

The particular hour(s) you book for will influence almost everything, from how crowded it will be to which staff will be on hand to show you around and answer your questions. 

The best times to visit are often:

• Weekday afternoons (less crowded)
• Later in the morning: (your palate is probably still fresh)
• The spring and autumn seasons (typically less busy than summer)

While harvest season (summer and early autumn) can be a terrific experience, it’s also almost always busier.

If that doesn’t bother you, then definitely go for it.

But if you want things to be less crowded and probably more laid-back, go on a non-peak weekend or weekday.

3. Eat Beforehand

Wine does contain alcohol, so it’s best not to drink it on an empty stomach if you can avoid doing so.

You don’t want to get overwhelmed or have your judgment be diminished. 

Eating before tasting wine helps you:

• Stay clear-headed
• Enjoy the day for longer
• Experience each taste more vividly

Many wineries provide food pairings, cheese boards, and even full meals for purchase.

Inquire about the options available while researching wineries before making your final booking(s). 

Pro Tip: Eating some sherbert ice cream just after finishing your meal is a traditional and effective way to cleanse your palate and prepare it for new flavors.

4. Dress Comfortably

Unless the weather is bad, a winery tasting tour will typically involve at least some walking outside.

And you probably wouldn’t have it any other way. You want to tour the vineyards, after all, right?

Besides, even if you don’t go outside much, you’ll at least spend some time standing at the bar and in other locations. 

Some comfortable options would be:

• Walking shoes (sneakers)
• Lightweight clothing made of breathable material (such as linen and pure cotton)
• Layer with a light jacket (if the temperatures are beginning to drop)
• Polo shirts and khakis
• Cocktail dresses

You don’t need to dress very formally. It’s a winery tasting tour, not a wedding or black tie event. As long as you look clean and well-put-together, you should be fine. 

Pro Tip: If you want to be very comfortable, the same dress code rules that apply at golf courses will usually be acceptable at wineries as well. 

5. Document the Wines You’ve Already Tasted

It’s pretty easy to forget specific names or details about wines you’ve tasted, especially since some of them will likely be foreign and difficult to spell or pronounce.

So, record your experiences and thoughts about each wine in a small notebook, or use the winery-provided tasting sheets.

Alternatively, you can take photos of each wine and note them on your phone.

Note details like:

• Names of the wines
• Varietal(s)
• Flavor profiles
• Your personal favorites and how to buy them yourself later

In addition to giving you a written record of your experience to review and reminisce about later, taking notes like this helps you make future wine purchases. 

6. Ask Questions and Participate

Winery staff are generally passionate about what they do and love sharing information about their wines.

Asking questions engages them and also gets you more involved, making your winery tasting tour experience more personal, interactive, and memorable.

Examples of good questions for you to ask:

• What makes this particular wine unique compared to others?
• What foods pair well with it?
• What specific things is this winery known for?
• How does this vintage differ from others?

The staff are there to answer your questions, so ask as many as you can think of and try to keep them open-ended as much as possible.

That way, you may end up learning a lot of things you didn’t even think to specifically ask about.

7. Don’t Rush Through the Tastings

A winery tasting tour is not a competition, and you’re not there to get drunk.

Sipping slowly and staying hydrated will keep your palate fresh and allow you to maintain your energy throughout the day.

Soe pacing tips:

• Drink water between tastings
• Spit wine into the spittoon if necessary (your goal is to taste, not to get drunk)
• Take breaks and even eat between visits (if visiting multiple wineries on the same day)

At the risk of beating a dead horse, we feel compelled to reiterate that you are not there to get drunk.

You should still be sober by the end of the tour.

8. Plan for Travel

Safety is always important when enjoying a winery tasting tour.

Ultimately, you’re dealing with alcohol, so the same rules of being responsible apply as at a bar.

And one of the most important of those rules is to arrange your transportation in advance.

Viable transportation options include:

• Designate a driver from your group (someone who will not be consuming any wine)
• Hire a car service
• Book a guided tour
• Schedule with rideshare apps (like Uber or Lyft)

Pro Tip: If you have a friend who doesn’t drink alcohol for whatever reason (religion, allergies, etc.), you might be able to entice them into being your designated driver in exchange for some favor in the future, such as helping them run errands.

Closing Thoughts

A well planned winery tasting tour can be both fun and a relaxing, educational experience.

Take things slow, ask plenty of open-ended questions, and be present.

That way, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the wine you’re sampling and the people who dedicate a large part of their lives to producing it. 🍷