A tour through picturesque wineries is a must-do when you travel. Here are 5 things you absolutely have to do on your next wine tour.

A tour through the picturesque wineries should be at the top of your bucket list, regardless of which ones you choose. There are literally thousands of vineyards and wineries around the world to choose from and the experiences are unforgettable (unless you don’t spit, in that case, some parts might end up being completely forgotten…). Here are 5 things you absolutely have to do on your next wine tour.

Take An Empty Bag on Your Wine Tour

Chances are, once you’ve done the delicious wine tastings and sampled your next favorite type of wine – you will want to buy a few bottles. That is the whole idea behind the wineries letting the public in to see where the magic is made. You will want to take an empty box or bag with you so your wine can travel back home with you safely.

I enjoyed sampling sparkling wines from Trattore Farms in Sonoma. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Take The Vineyard Tours

Taking the vineyard tours is the best way to learn about the wine, from the very beginning on the vines to the types of wine grapes used, right down to the bottling and labeling process. Some of the vineyards even offer a wine stomping activity for you to really get in there and feel the grapes squishing between your toes – don’t worry, they won’t serve you that same wine, it’s really just for fun these days. It needs to be said that wine stomping is a completely sanitary process due to the delicate balance of acids, alcohol, and sugar that stops human pathogens from being able to survive in the wine.

Owen Roe Vineyards. Photo by Lara Dunning

Ask Questions During Your Wine Tour

Don’t be shy, the guides are there to assist you and answer any questions you might have. Most wineries and vineyards have a rich and interesting story. Finding out about the heritage of your favorite wine will give you great talking points for your next wine club evening.

Wine Tasting at Owen Roe. Photo by Lara Dunning

The tours are generally time-sensitive but you can seek out a guide afterward to answer any lingering questions you may have. If you’re in Texas, pop by Chuck Tordiglione’s place, he’ll be happy to tell you everything he knows about winemaking.

Choose Your Outfit Carefully

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes on your next wine tour, you’ll be strolling through vineyards so you won’t want your feet to get dusty. If you like, pack a clean outfit to change into after the dirty parts of the tour. It is also a great idea to wear darker clothes, that way if you get a little extra and spill some wine on yourself, it won’t be a big deal. That being said, you don’t need to be afraid to wear what you want.

Tasting Gruet Savage sparkling wine in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Take Notes During Your Wine Tour and Tasting

“Taking notes while you’re sampling the different types of wine will go a long way in helping you remember the ones you enjoyed the most. Don’t just write down the name of the wines; write down what you liked about them,” says Wine Tour Operator Cheers Bus, which runs one of the best wine tours Hunter Valley in Australia has to offer.

It helps to take notes during a wine tasting. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

If you want, and if the winery approves, take photos of the bottles of the ones you really liked as well as the ones you really didn’t, that way you’ll know which ones to buy and which ones to avoid later on.

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5 Things to Do on Your Next Wine Tour

Wine really doesn’t have to be stuffy and taking a wine tour can be a great way to ask questions and sample a lot of different options. Have fun and keep these 5 things to do on your next wine tour in mind when you’re planning your winery visit. We have more great suggestions for wine tasting and some of our favorite wineries on Wander.