Planning a wine tour to Italy or another country? Discover how to optimize your wine-tasting excursions with this guide on route planning and maximizing vineyard visits.
A wine tour seems like a simple proposition: set out from vineyard to vineyard, tasting wine along the way.
The reality is far more nuanced, and the difference between a spectacular wine-tasting trip and a wasted vacation is often determined by the planning done before departure.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Tuscany or somewhere farther from home, the fundamentals of maximizing the experience remain the same.
From route planning to etiquette tips, here’s how to make the most of your wine tour.
Start With a Region, Not a List of Wineries
One of the most common mistakes first-time wine tourists make is trying to plan a tour around a list of famous wineries. Even if you’re visiting a country with wine-growing regions scattered from coast to coast, it’s a far better idea to identify one area to focus on and plan a tasting itinerary that makes sense within that region.
In Italy, for instance, it’s far more realistic to plan a tour that focuses on one wine area – Chianti Classico, Barolo, or the Prosecco hills around Valdobbiadene, for example – rather than trying to visit all three in the same trip.
It’s also important to remember that in Italy and other wine-growing countries, mountainous terrain often makes distances far greater than they appear on the map.
Set Up Tastings Ahead of Time, Especially at Smaller Wineries
Wine-tasting tours are all about the vineyards, but what many first-time visitors discover too late is that in-depth tastings, particularly at smaller family-owned wineries, often require advance planning.
It’s not that the staff at these family-run places aren’t welcoming; many family-run wineries have very limited staffing, and a tasting can eat up valuable time for the person manning the cellar or tasting room.
Contacting wineries by email a few weeks before your arrival, or working with a local guide or tour agency, can be the difference between a disappointing stop at the “big name” winery and an unforgettable tasting at a smaller, less advertised producer.
Learn the Difference Between Types of Tasting
Standard Tastings
Many wineries offer a standard tasting, which typically includes a flight of three to five wines, with bread, cheese, and other accompaniments, if any.
Cellar and Vineyard Tours
More in-depth are cellar and vineyard tours, which often last an hour and a half to two hours and usually include a guided, behind-the-scenes look at the winery before the tasting begins.
Food Pairing Tasting
A few wineries offer full pairing experiences, which can stretch to three hours or more but are often well worth the time. Particularly in Italy, food pairing can take place in a separate dining room.
So it’s crucial to ask if the winery has an agriturismo (farm table) restaurant when making tasting arrangements.
Plan Ahead for Transportation
Wine tours and driving don’t mix, so transportation planning should be a top priority when organizing a wine-tasting trip. Renting a car and planning to drive from vineyard to vineyard while also enjoying wine tastings is a recipe for disaster, particularly on more than one stop.
The safest options are to arrange for a private driver for the day, or to book a wine tour with a group that includes a driver.
It’s also important to consider local options, as many wine-producing countries have private drivers who know the local wine country and are often familiar with the best stops as well.
One option to consider, if touring with a group, is designating one person as the sober driver who will not drink, or who will always spit into a small container at the tasting, and who will be in control at all times.
Don’t Overdo It With the Number of Wineries per Day
Wine-tasting tours are all about the vineyards, but what many first-time visitors discover too late is that in-depth tastings, particularly at smaller family-owned wineries, often require advance planning.
Visiting more than three wineries in a single day is asking for exhaustion and frustration, for both the driver and the driver. Even two wineries and a light lunch might be more than enough in some cases, particularly if the wineries are spread out and a lengthy drive is needed between them.
In general, it’s better to plan a slower-paced day that allows for actual enjoyment of the wines, and of the company of the people you’re sharing the tour with, rather than rushing to cram as many tastings as possible into a single day.
Pace Yourself Throughout the Day
Wine touring is all about the tasting rooms, but first-time visitors to wine country often neglect to consider how to pace themselves throughout the day. It’s all very well and good to have booked an in-depth cellar tour and a multi-course food pairing tasting.
One vineyard, but if those are back-to-back, with nothing in between but a brief stop at another winery, the enjoyment – and even safety – of the entire outing can be compromised.
Even if you’re planning to drive between wineries, it’s a good idea to leave plenty of time between tastings to allow for breaks and meals.
Consider the Local Season When Planning Your Visit
Wine touring is all about the tasting rooms, but first-time visitors to wine country often neglect to consider how to pace themselves throughout the day. It’s all very well and good to have booked an in-depth cellar tour and a multi-course food pairing tasting at
one vineyard, but if those are back-to-back, with nothing in between but a brief stop at another winery, the enjoyment – and even safety – of the entire outing can be compromised.
The most exciting time to visit many wine-producing countries is during the harvest, which generally takes place in late summer through early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
During this time, many wineries offer special tours that take advantage of the unique circumstances of the season, and visitors can often see grapes being harvested and brought into the winery.
Wine touring is all about the tasting rooms, but first-time visitors to wine country often neglect to consider how to pace themselves throughout the day. It’s all very well and good to have booked an in-depth cellar tour and a multi-course food pairing tasting at one vineyard.
But if those are back-to-back, with nothing in between but a brief stop at another winery, the enjoyment – and even safety – of the entire outing can be compromised.
The most exciting time to visit many wine-producing countries is during the harvest, which generally takes place in late summer through early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
During this time, many wineries offer special tours that take advantage of the unique circumstances of the season, and visitors can often see grapes being harvested and brought into the winery.
A spring visit to wine country can also be an excellent option in many areas, as the weather tends to be warmer and less harsh than during the winter months, without the crowds that often arrive in summer.
In the colder months, visiting wine country can also be a wonderful option for those who want to enjoy hearty food pairings without the distraction of a large group of summer tourists.
Set a Budget for the Wineries You’ll Visit
The cost of a wine-tasting tour depends on the location, the type of wineries you’re visiting, and the services you plan to use.
A tasting at a popular commercial winery may not cost much at all, while a private tour that includes transportation, a guide, multiple wineries, and a full lunch can be quite expensive, particularly at larger estates with more extensive wine offerings.
It’s a good idea to set a wine budget, particularly if you’re planning to buy any wine during your tour, as many visitors find themselves far more interested in a particular wine than they expected.
Having a rough idea of how much you’re willing to spend on a case of wine will help you avoid overspending, particularly if you find yourself falling in love with the wine at the first vineyard you visit.
In general, it’s also a good idea to set aside a small amount of money for wine tasting gifts if visiting smaller wineries that offer unique, boutique-style wines.
Consider a Local Guide Instead of Planning Your Own Tour
Visiting wine country is often an educational experience, and wine tourists with a good foundation of wine knowledge going into the trip will often find themselves far more engaged at each winery they visit.
However, for those with only a casual interest in wine, the value of a local guide with extensive knowledge and connections can’t be understated. In addition to serving as a translator, if necessary, a good local guide can often lead you to wineries with unique offerings that might not be found through independent touring.
Those with wine touring experience planning their own independent tours may be far more comfortable navigating local languages and logistics, but most first-time wine tourists are likely to be overwhelmed and frustrated by the experience.
Particular caution should be exercised if planning a tour in wine country for the first time with no wine knowledge at all, since many vineyards, particularly smaller family-owned ones, require a local guide to visit due to limited resources.
Follow Basic Etiquette at Wineries
As with any other kind of restaurant, it’s important to follow basic etiquette when wine-tasting as well to ensure that everyone has a positive experience. Arriving late for a tasting or visiting wineries with overpowering perfume or cologne can be particularly offensive at smaller independent wineries.
Where the host may share the tasting room with other guests or even be in the same cellar when the next group arrives. Observing common courtesies, such as asking permission to take photos inside the winery or before touring a cellar, is always appreciated.
It’s always a good idea to buy at least one or two bottles at wineries that have given you a special tasting, even if you’re not planning on having a full meal there, particularly at very small wineries that rely on direct sales to the public.
This is a good way to support the local vintner while also ensuring that the smaller winery gets the business it needs to continue providing private tastings.
Wine Tour Essentials
Wine touring involves a lot of walking through vineyards, so it’s essential to pack comfortable, closed-toe shoes, and to dress in layers, since many wine cellars are cool and drafty.
A small notebook or note-taking app on your phone is also invaluable, since it’s easy to forget which wine you enjoyed most after a particularly long day of tasting.
Finally, sun protection and a reusable water bottle are also useful items to bring on a wine tour, particularly on longer walks through vineyards.
Learn Some Basics of the Local Language
Even in areas with a large number of English speakers, language barriers can sometimes arise for independent wine tourists, particularly at smaller family-run wineries unfamiliar with foreign visitors.
Learning a few words and phrases in the local language can go a long way towards making your visit more pleasant, for both you and the winery staff. A local guide can also serve to help with communication at smaller wineries where language barriers may be an issue.
Get Familiar With Wine Classification and Labeling Before Your Tour
Italian wine classifications can be confusing for first-time wine tourists, as can the various regional labeling laws. Knowing the differences between DOC, DOCG, IGT, and other wine classifications can make a world of difference on a wine tour.
both in terms of your enjoyment and in terms of making sure that you get the wine you’re looking for. Many wineries are glad to explain regional wine laws to curious visitors, since it’s always a good opportunity to educate the public on their products.
Learn About Local Cuisine and Other Attractions in the Area
Wine touring is often a multi-day excursion, and the best wine tours are often those that include additional activities in the area, such as visiting nearby historic landmarks or enjoying local cuisine.
In Italy, wine touring often includes a stop in a local hill town, or a tasting of the local white truffles available in the fall season. These kinds of additional activities help to ensure that the wine tour doesn’t feel like a waste of time, and that the experience gained from the trip applies to more than just wine.
The Same Goes for Travel Outside of Italy
Though this guide tends to focus on wine country within Italy, many of these same principles apply to wine touring elsewhere in the world. Whether you’re visiting Napa Valley or the Douro Valley in Portugal, the most important aspects of a successful wine tour are planning a reasonable number of wineries to visit per day.
Setting aside time to actually enjoy the wines you’re sampling, and asking questions to deepen your understanding of what you’re drinking. The more research you do and the better prepared you are for your wine tour, the more likely it is to be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
FAQ
How Many Wineries Can I Visit in One Day?
The ideal number of wineries to visit in one day on a wine tour is two to three.
I’m Planning to Tour Wine Country in Italy – Do I Need To Reserve Tastings Ahead of Time?
This depends on the type of winery and the time of year, but it’s always a good idea to contact wineries ahead of time, particularly smaller family-run ones, to make sure that a tasting is available when you plan to visit.
How Can I Get Around While Wine Touring?
Hiring a private driver or a small group of independent drivers is the safest option, as it allows everyone to enjoy the wine tastings without worrying about who can and can’t drive.
Final Thoughts
Wine touring is all about maximizing the number of wineries you can visit, but the most enjoyable wine tours tend to happen when visitors slow down and pace themselves. Using these tips can make all the difference when touring wine country, whether in Italy or elsewhere in the world.
