15 Tips to help Make Your Wine Tour Enjoyable

Back in 1983, a friend suggested we go wine tasting. Since I had never been, I jumped at the chance. Curiosity and the idea that trying something different sounded like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. She volunteered to drive. I agreed simply because I was new to the area and had no idea where all of the wineries were located. The first winery was great, we met the vintner and he explained briefly how to taste numerous wines, while trying to appreciate them all. By the third winery, we were getting a little tipsy. I realized that maybe my designated driver, who was also drinking, was getting a little too tipsy. At the fourth winery, we both agreed to grab a bite to eat and call a friend to come and get us. I learned a great deal from my new found adventure.

If you are considering taking a wine tasting tour, follow these simple tips, to make the most of your experience.

1- Select an area or region that you are interested in exploring. Temecula Valley has numerous wineries, many of them offering Award Winning wines. Since most of the wineries are close together, you can plan to visit a few wineries in a single day.

2- Find out if you need reservations for tasting. Some wineries may require them, particularly on week ends or busy Holidays.

3-If you live out of the area, consider staying in a local hotel, and plan on wine tasting one day and exploring the area the following day.

4- Make sure to have a designated driver. No matter what, consider the consequences of driver while under the influence. Even though you may not intend on drinking too much, your judgment becomes impaired. The mere fact that you are endangering everyone on the road should be a sobering consideration. (The cost of a DUI is devastating both financially and remains on your DMV for years to come)

5- Consider hiring a Wine Tour company to go on a wine tour with. They know the area, and can enhance your day.

6- If you do go with a Wine Tour company, do your research. Consider this, do you want to go to pre-determined wineries and stay on their schedule? Or would you prefer a wine tour company that allows you to ‘chart your own course’ while reviewing their information on all of the wineries?

7- Consider going with a smaller group party. Oftentimes, in larger groups, you may not get the intimate attention. Too large of a party may not allow you to ask the questions that you want to know the answers to. It also slows your wine tasting down a bit.

8- Large wineries or smaller ones? You can learn a wealth of information from both. The size of the winery is a personal preference. The larger winery’s often have a wider selection. The smaller ones however, may have a phenomenal wine that you may overlook if you miss visiting them.

9- Make sure that you take it slow and enjoy your day. This is not about getting to as many wineries as you can. It is about enjoying the day and making it a memorable experience.

10- Take along snacks or a picnic lunch. Temecula Wineries offer many areas to relax and enjoy a bite to eat. Not only does this keep you from getting too tipsy, you can also take in the beautiful surroundings, while you plan for the next winery. Another option is to purchase a loaf of fresh bread or a light snack from the many restaurants.

11- Consider making a reservation for lunch or dinner out in wine country. What better way to have the proper food paring, than by the experts themselves? Temecula Wine Country offers an array of restaurants from the casual dining, to the elegant fare.

12-Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Room temperature is preferred to cleanse the pallet.

13- If you live outside of the area, make sure that the alcohol has worn off before you drive home. Consider getting dinner and taking time to sober up.

14- Keep a record of your experience. Write down the wine and characteristics that you have observed. Before you take another wine tour, refer back to your previous records. This will help you to build on your knowledge.

15- Consider taking some wine home with you. The smaller wine tour companies often allow you to purchase wine and put it in the vehicle with you. That way, you can enjoy it at a later date.

-Plan your day so that you can drink, and be smart about it.