Visiting a winery tasting room can feel as intimidating as stepping into an unfamiliar classroom. The urge to shrink back into the wallpaper is totally understandable. Thankfully, there are a few simple ways to get the most out of your experience while showing the staff that you respect and appreciate the time they’re taking to share their wines with you.
Sure, the Internet is littered with videos of guests treating tasting rooms like the club, but try these winemaker-approved tips instead—we promise the experience will be just as fun.
Before you arrive…
Don’t be afraid to communicate freely about the kind of experience you actually want.
Whether you’re interested in hearing the winery’s whole spiel or would rather just taste on your own, it’s okay to share your preferences. “We like to provide a personalized tasting based on what people are looking for,” says Caroline Guthrie, CEO and proprietor of Stewart Cellars in Yountville, California. “We’re more than happy to geek out with our guests about our estate vineyard, Montecillo or about the percentage of new oak Blair uses in our Pinot Noir. But we’re also happy to offer a less engaged tasting session.” Guthrie says that sometimes groups simply want to catch up with each other on the patio, glasses of rosé in hand, and that’s perfectly okay, too.
Skip the perfume.
For the sake of your tasting experience and those of others around you, keep the spritzing to a minimum. “Avoid wearing strong fragrances—or any at all,” says Tracy Byrnes, lead estate host at Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg, California. “At its purest, wine is a multi-sensory experience that draws on sight, smell, taste and texture or mouthfeel. If you or your neighbor are emanating cologne-spritzed notes of mossy woods, zesty citrus or (heaven help us) a trending gourmand fragrance like marshmallow, you risk dulling the fresh, briny and forest-driven aromatics of our coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.”
Reconsider what you eat before visiting.
Sarah Durand, global brand ambassador for Champagne Lallier, suggests skipping certain dishes and beverages before visiting a winery so you don’t compromise your palate. “It’s best to avoid anything with strong flavors or scents—think garlic, coffee or even tea,” she says. “A neutral palate is your best companion.”
Dress for comfort, not Instagram.
While many wineries have tasting rooms located on bucolic hills with sprawling patios, prioritize your comfort over the perfect Instagram shot and dress for the elements. “Vineyard tours often involve gravel, dirt paths or uneven ground,” says Crafton. “Comfortable closed-toe shoes are your best bet.”…