10 Things You Need to Know Before Planning a Wine Tasting Tour

13 Jul 10 Things You Need to Know Before Planning a Wine Tasting Tour

Posted at 15:45h in Wine & Living, Wine Tips, Winery Tours by Guest Blogger 0 Comments

There are few things in life more refreshing than luxury wine tours of picturesque wineries, offering quality wine. However, if you haven’t been on wine tasting tours before, you need to know a couple of things before planning one.

There are several wine producing regions around the world. Among the most popular wine tasting regions, Argentina is an ultimate destination due to its amazing wine quality and varieties. Regardless of whether you are planning wine tours in Argentina or Napa Valley, these tips apply to all regions.

Taking vineyard tours is one of the best ways to learn about wines. During a wine tour, you can have engaging conversations about wines with the growers and producers. The things that you learn during the trip can make your wine tasting tours even more interesting.

Winery tours are all the rage at the moment, and with the concept of wine tasting spreading rapidly around the world, new wineries are sprouting up all over the place. Being a wine lover and a first timer on winery tours, you need to keep the following things in mind before you begin your trip.

#1. Include Old and New Wineries

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Planning a diverse tour can make your experience with the wineries even more enjoyable. In addition to visiting the old wineries, plan a trip that includes some of the new ones as well. Although they may not have the long histories of their older counterparts, new wineries can still add a lot to your winery touring experience. If you’re looking to explore a unique wine destination, Bulgaria may not be an obvious choice, but it’s certainly one worth a visit.

#2. Be Sure of Your Preferences

Before signing up for a wine tasting tour, take a few minutes to consider your preferences. Planning a tour around a certain type of wine can make the experience more organized and enjoyable for you. For example, if you prefer red wines, be sure to do thorough research and check out wineries that focus on producing them.

#3. Consider the Time of Year

The time of year is definitely an important factor to keep in mind while planning winery tours. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in many locations. If you are planning a trip during a peak or harvest season, start your day a little early so that you can avoid the rush. However, if you are looking for a more private experience, you may want to choose to go during the off season.

#4. Note the Particulars

Take note of the important particulars well in advance about the wineries that you are going to visit. This covers everything from the tour times, hours of operation, and the costs of the tours and tastings itself.

#5. Plan Your Whole Day

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When you are planning your itinerary, you will probably include multiple stops. Be sure to also plan for the travel time between them. Many wineries also sell gift items or souvenirs, so you may also want to include some extra time for shopping.

#6. Take a Designated Driver

If you plan to visit more than one winery a day, you should hire a car service or have a designated driver to ensure a safe return to your hotel. Tours usually include wine tastings, and many wineries serve more than a single tasting per visit. A designated driver can take you around safely, and allow you to fully enjoy the experience.

#7. Carry an Empty Box

This is a tip that many beginners to wine tours may not know about. Chances are, you may want to take home a few bottles of the wines you taste while exploring the wineries. So, take an empty box (or two) with you to help store the bottles safely in the car. This prevents them from rolling over and possibly breaking during your ride home.

#8. Don’t Visit More Than 3 or 4 Wineries a Day

Even if you plan to spend a whole day touring wineries, make sure you don’t have more than 3 or 4 wineries on your itinerary. You should spend enough time at each of the wineries to enjoy the tours to the fullest.

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#9. Make the Most of Your Trip

A wine tasting tour should be a memorable experience. Leave no stone unturned to ensure that you make the most of your trip. Some wineries offer wine and food pairings you may want to include on your itinerary. You may also have the opportunity to enjoy some scrumptious local cuisine with a spectacular view of the vineyards at some locations.

#10. Jot Down the Questions You Want to Ask

One of the best parts of a wine tasting tour is learning more about the process of wine making. A lot of hard work goes into producing wine. You may have a lot of questions about your favorite wines. Be sure to note them down ahead of time so you don’t forget to ask the important ones!

With proper planning, wine tasting tours can be fun-filled experiences. It’s important to gather as much information as you can before you start packing your bags, so you can be sure to make the most out of your wine adventure!

By Mark, contributor writer in Bookculinaryvacations.com He is the founder of Tango Tours, the ultimate luxury food & wine tours. Prior to starting his business, for 20+ years, he traveled extensively throughout the world while working for a major U.S. airline.

Book Culinary Vacations provides booking services for international culinary travel experiences, such as cooking vacations, wine tours and professional food and drink courses. Read reviews, compare prices, and find culinary vacations from 494 organizers around the world!