6 Tips for Visiting Wineries

          Visiting wineries is lots of fun and each winery can give a great experience each time you visit.  The wine, the history, the staff and visitors all lend to a great time.  Here you will get some of my tips to make sure that experience is top notch for not only you and your friends but also other patrons.  Take a moment to read through the bullet list below then scroll just a little further down to read the brief descriptions of each.  My goal is to give you easy pointers that you can keep in your tool box so that when you visit any winery, you will walk away having had an awesome experience.  

• Open mind, full heart
• Come hungry, leave drunk
• Ask, Just ask
• No fence makes good neighbors
• Slow it down
• Remember to remember

Open mind, full heart 

          When preparing to walk into a winery, it is imperative, for the best experience, to have an open mind.  You will surely walk away with a full heart.  Whether you have pre-planned the visit or just stopping in on a whim, prepare your mind by saying, “Something wonderful is about to happen.”.  There are a multitude of things to discover at wineries, from the history to the nuances of the wine itself, to how you might like something you thought you didn’t.  An open mind is key to these discoveries.  Such as life, open mind, open heart.

Come hungry, leave drunk

           Don’t be misled here, that title is not a suggestion, it is a kind warning.  Similar to a certain restaurant’s slogan, but this ain’t that.  In this case, if you are trying multiple wines, two ounces at a time, anywhere from 11 to 24% alcohol by volume(ABV), 4 or more pours…you might be asking for trouble.  With a little protein in your system, you can combat this.  I won’t suggest to you what to eat, but protein of any kind seems to be a good answer.  I do not advise drinking lots of water before or during as it could cause the alcohol to travel through your system faster.  Then you won’t get the experience, just the drunkenness.  That’s not the experience we’re going for here.  I like to grab something before the drive and maybe eat on the way or right before I leave since most wineries are in rural areas to be able to grow their grapes.  That gives time for the digestion to begin.

*Many wineries offer charcuterie and/or cheese and crackers.  It is a good idea to check their website or call ahead to confirm offerings and availability.

Ask, Just ask

          This seems simple to some yet daunting to others.  Namely, introverts like myself.  Starting with the ‘simple to some’, it probably seems unnecessary to mention.  I mean, who doesn’t already know what they like, right?  As for the ‘daunting to others’, we sweat at the idea of asking others for anything!  However if we ask, just ask, it makes things better.  Even if you are a wine drinker, maybe even a connoisseur, then asking for suggestions is still helpful.  I have been told that I am a ‘supertaster’ because I can taste (and smell) the tiniest qualities in wine.  Consequently, asking for tasting notes before, during and after trying a wine makes it so much better.  Be sure to talk to the wine staff to get their opinions.  Also, asking other patrons what they like and dislike not only gives you some direction on the wines but it also connects you with others.  That in itself heightens your winery and wine tasting experience.  

No fence makes good neighbors

          This one piggybacks off of the last one, ‘Ask.  Just ask”.  When you are next to someone at the wine bar at a winery, or maybe not-so-next to someone, check their vibes.  If they seem open, strike up a conversation.  But first, check your own vibes!  I ask myself these two questions first; Am I sober? And Am I approachable in this moment?  Even as an introvert,  it is nice to be social at times.  When I have made sure that fence is down, I have met some wonderful people.  I’m not saying it has happened to me, but single people meet at wineries sometimes 😉 (That little tidbit was a freebie, lol.)

Slow it down

          Now, the obviousness of this tip is to not overindulge (in any alcohol) and at a rapid pace nonetheless.  Quicker drinking leads to fast drunkenness and bad decisions. It is very important for me to say that I do not condone being drunk and disrespectful.  We understand that it can happen quickly, so slowing it down helps to keep this from happening.  In addition, slowing down while you’re visiting a winery helps to give your experience something peaceful and wonderful.  Lots of wineries have outdoor decks and seating areas with wonderful views for you to enjoy.  Take advantage of this.  Plan to spend a minimum of one hour, outside of the ten to twenty minutes of tasting, just slowing down.  Even if you don’t order a glass or a bottle to enjoy, grab a water, some snacks and hang with a friend.  Talk with other patrons or hang alone and just be mindful and gracious.  This is a good time for solitude.  Bring a book or something to write or draw with.  Whatever you do, plan to take it slow.  

Remember to remember

          The last tip I want to offer on this post is to be conscious of remembering your time at the winery.  Now I know, when the drink has gone to your head it can be hard to remember.   Hence the tips I have given to combat drunkenness.  So in the moment and immediately after, reflect on the time you’ve had at the winery.  Make it your duty to consider the good points.  I am sure there will come a time in your day, week or month, maybe even a year later that something about the experience will come back to you.  It will give you a sense of peace or a moment of gratitude.  It might even give you an idea of inspiration.  Now that’s a good thing!  And we like good things.  I use this tip each and every time I visit a winery and it has made me appreciate the experience, as well as other moments in life so much.  

*Bonus* Go with a trusted friend or loved one.  OR know your wine staff and allow them to know you.  Safety is paramount anywhere and for all, so being in the company of those you trust only boosts it.  So go with someone you know well if possible. 

          These tips are not hard and fast rules, but I can guarantee that they will enhance any experience at a winery.  What I enjoy most about them is that they can apply to other areas of life; work, family, love, chasing dreams.  They are tried and true and my research is first hand as well as feedback from other winery goers.  Try them out.  Comment and let me know if you think they might work or if they have worked for you.

Stay Amazing,  

B. Long