Pro tips for wine travel

Wandering around vineyards in winter in Hunter Valley, Australia

So you want to go to wine country. Great idea! I’ve had the great fortune to travel to wine regions on three different continents, and they all rank among my favorite places I’ve ever traveled to (which makes sense since I am a giant wine nerd). From their generally moderate weather and tasty restaurants to the cute small towns many of these regions center on, they can be the perfect spot for creating the perfect getaway that matches whatever vibe you’re going for.

When to go

Busy season in wine regions typically corresponds with harvest. In the Northern Hemisphere, that usually means August to October; in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s February to April. And there are a lot of great reasons to go during harvest! The scenery is beautiful — I’ll take changing leaves and fall colors in a vineyard over leaf peeping in New England any day of the week. The weather is often still warm but cool in the evenings. There are also usually plenty of harvest parties, seasonal events, and activities to watch or take part in around working wineries. However, there will also be more people, higher prices, and more need for advance planning (not just for wine activities, but also for dinners, hotels, etc.).

I personally like to take the road less traveled and schedule most of my wine travel during the winter. The wineries are quieter, which gives you more opportunity to connect with the employees about the wine. In most wine regions, the weather is still fairly mild in the winter, too, so, with some exceptions, you’re still going to have decent weather. And, of course, prices tend to be lower and reservations are easier to come by as long as you’re avoiding major holidays.

Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of vibe you’re looking for. My two cents? If you want a lively, festive party, head to wine county in the fall. If you want a quiet, relaxing getaway and are okay with some clouds or rain, go during off season.

Tastings

3 tastings a day (or less). I usually recommend no more than 3 tastings a day. I usually try to book them around 10am, 1pm, and 3pm (depending on opening hours for wineries). If you want to have a big, leisurely lunch, cut out the 1pm tasting. It may feel a little weird at first doing a tasting at 10am, but hey…those of us in the wine industry and taking tasting exams do it every day! And don’t be afraid to take advantage of the spit bucket (or ask for one if they don’t proactively share it).

You don’t have to play wine pro. Not a wine pro? That’s okay. Don’t feel like you need to make up elaborate tasting notes, talk about wine having legs, say you’re not having any f*cking Merlot, or anything else you heard when you watched Sideways or Somm. The vast majority of people coming into wineries for tastings are relatively new to wine, and the people running the tastings are used to adapting their approach to whatever level you’re at. And don’t be afraid to ask questions! No question is too elementary — you’re there to learn, and your wine industry friends are there to help you do just that.

Make your reservations. Most wineries now require advance reservations for tastings, so don’t forget to plan ahead. For more popular wine regions, this is particularly true in high season — they likely are booking up every table they have! But it’s also true in the off season, especially for smaller areas — some of these wineries may only staff their tasting rooms when they have appointments, so you run the risk of no one being there if you don’t schedule something.

Hydrate and eat! Wineries usually give you a glass of water for a reason. Make sure you’re throwing back some water in between those tastings! I’m known to bring my own giant water bottle with me. And always, always make sure you’re eating before, during, and after your scheduled tastings. I typically start a tasting day with a moderately sized breakfast (e.g., eggs on toast, yogurt with granola), eat a relatively carb-y lunch (there are delis in wine towns for a reason), and alternate between nice dinners out or a comfort meal in (a pizza in your PJs on the couch post-wine tasting is truly glorious).

Know your limits. It can be challenging to keep track of how much you’re drinking with a bunch of tasting pours. Listen to your body, pace yourself, and know when to call it if you’ve overdone it for the day.

Prices may vary. Tastings can vary in price a lot. Generally, though, the price of the tasting is correlated with the price of the wines the winery is selling. In Napa, for example, if you’re checking out wineries with $200+ cabernets, be prepared to having a tasting fee to match ($75-200+). However, their Sonoma neighbors across the Mayacamas generally have lower priced wines and, subsequently, lower priced tastings. You can also opt for different types of tastings at wineries, with many offering a basic flight of current releases at the low end and reserve or library tastings (often paired with tours, food, etc.) at the high end. Often, wineries will waive tasting fees for basic tastings if you’re in their wine club or if you buy a certain quantity of bottles (which, again, is usually higher for higher-priced tastings).

Transportation

Make sure you have a transportation plan! Most wine regions are pretty rural (viticulture is farming, after all), so typically, it’s necessary to drive yourself or hire a driver (and even that isn’t always an option). If there is Uber or taxi service in the area, make sure you will have cell service or wifi at your tastings so you’re able to get a ride. Also make sure you know the local laws around alcohol consumption and driving. In the U.S., the BAC limit is generally 0.08; in Australia, it’s 0.05. Other countries and towns have different rules.

Whatever option you choose, make sure you have a solid plan in advance.

Accommodation

While you can find more affordable wine regions and accommodations, the majority of wine tourism targets a more upscale demographic (with prices to match). Hotels around city/town centers tend to be boutique or luxury with prices to match; however, you’re usually walking distance to a decent number of restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms. Often, these hotels include amenities like pools, complimentary happy hours or breakfasts, and room service.

If you’re looking for a lower priced option and willing to stay a little outside of the action, you can find Airbnbs or motels at a lower price. This can come with some perks, too, in the form of off-the-beaten-path discoveries (and more money to spend on wine). On one of my trips to Healdsburg, I ended up discovering a coffee shop beloved by locals (Plank Coffee) because it was across the street from the Best Western I stayed at. I’ve been back many a time since and never would’ve gone had I opted to stay on the main square.

If you’re traveling with a group, full home rentals can be a great idea that spreads the cost among multiple people. This option has the added plus of a full kitchen for meals when you don’t feel like going out and can often include amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, or even private pools. Some wine regions also offer winery accommodations where you can stay in a cottage or house at the actual winery, which usually costs more than other home rental options.

Alright…those are my pro tips for wine travel for now. If you feel like I missed something, please reach out and let me know!