Visiting a Winery: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do

A winery is a property that is licensed to produce wine. In addition to growing grapes and other plants that are used in wine, fermenting these plants into wine, and storing the product, wineries often conduct events such as tours and wine tastings. Wineries are common in many parts of the world and can be a significant source of revenue. For example, in 2022, wine production accounted for approximately $276 billion in revenue in the United States alone.

Because these establishments are so prevalent, they are a popular choice for tourists and connoisseurs alike. However, there are common rules of etiquette that visitors should adhere to. These rules are relatively simple and fairly consistent. It’s important to bear in mind that expectations and rules of etiquette may sometimes still vary, especially if you plan to visit a winery abroad. So, it will still be helpful to do some additional research about the local area and the specific winery.

What Should You Do at a Winery?

Understanding and following proper etiquette can help you remain respectful to those around you and put your best foot forward. As a result, following etiquette can make your visit more enjoyable for you as well.

Book in Advance

It will be helpful to reserve your accommodations and activities in advance if possible. In fact, at some establishments, it may be required. Some wineries are very popular and may become booked up quickly. This is even more likely during busy seasons such as summertime. Keep in mind that nearby lodgings may also fill up quickly. By booking in advance you can save yourself and anyone you’re meeting with a lot of stress.

Behave Appropriately

In general, you should be on your best behavior when visiting a winery. By being mindful and treating the staff well, you can minimize conflict and ensure your visit is enjoyable for everyone involved. Kind and respectful treatment of staff may even further inspire enthusiastic service.

Beyond that, basic rules of good behavior apply: avoid being loud or disruptive, ask questions politely, avoid damaging property, and do not make anyone wait on you. This is especially important to bear in mind given that alcohol will be involved. Some people on vacation may be tempted to over-indulge, but you should avoid this.

Take Time To Sample and Enjoy

Take your time sampling and enjoying different wines to savor and participate in the experience. You will likely be offered a variety of wines, so it is important to be prepared for this and understand the differences between them. You should also know how to properly taste wine. Learn how to go about drinking it, be aware of common occurrences such as wine sediment, and understand how to detect various flavors and aromas. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of wine can go a long way in this respect.

Ask Questions

Questions are an expected part of the touring and tasting experience. Do your best to get comfortable with asking questions, and identifying subjects to gain more insight about. You could ask questions about the wine itself, such as “What type of barrel is this wine fermented in?” You could also ask questions about the history of the specific winery or the differences between regional wines, such as “What are some of the traditions and new techniques employed at this winery?”

You will be able to ask better questions if you have strong foundational knowledge to begin with. As such, it may be helpful to peruse reputable wine blogs, follow newsletters and subscriptions, or even join a wine club to brush up on your knowledge. It will also be important to listen attentively to tour guides or other staff during your visit, so as to avoid asking questions that have already been answered, and to find strong opportunities for inquiry.

Have a Designated Driver

While it is highly recommended that you avoid becoming highly intoxicated in the first place, it is still important to have a designated driver or arrange for transportation home. Because drinking alcoholic beverages is a central part of the experience, it will be easy to become impaired or exceed the legal limit as it relates to driving.

Your blood alcohol content can continue to rise for some time following the consumption of alcohol. As such, it is best to err on the side of safety for the sake of the safety of you and those around you. Doing so can prevent uncomfortable arguments that can otherwise be easily solved. According to the United States Department of Transportation, approximately 37 people die in the United States every day as a result of car crashes related to drinking and driving. These accidents are very preventable and it is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to prevent them.

What Should You Avoid Doing at a Winery?

In addition to things you should do when visiting a winery, there are also things that you should not do. While the point of visiting a winery is to have a good time, there are certain limits that are best to put on yourself.

Don’t Wear Perfume or Cologne

Aroma has a significant impact on flavor. Your senses of smell and taste work together to produce flavor. This means that if you were to plug your nose, you would interpret flavors differently. Similarly, if you introduce a strong scent, it will adjust how you perceive a flavor.

For this reason, it is considered a faux pas to introduce any strong smells to a wine tasting space. Notably, you should not wear strong perfumes or colognes when attending a wine tasting — ideally, you should not wear any at all.

Don’t Arrive Late

You should never arrive late or otherwise do anything to delay activities. Show up slightly early and pay attention to the direction of tour guides and other staff as they guide you through the experience. It will also be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the schedule before you arrive. Causing delays can not only negatively affect your own experience, but also the experiences of the staff and the other visitors.

Avoid Getting Intoxicated

As mentioned, becoming intoxicated is not the goal of a wine tasting. In fact, it is strongly discouraged. Intoxication can reduce your ability to appreciate the nuance of the flavors you’re tasting and may result in disorderly conduct. This is why wine is typically poured lightly at a wine tasting. While it is expected that you will somewhat feel the effects of alcohol, you should limit yourself to avoid creating a scene or making others uncomfortable. In some cases, you may be asked to leave if you become too loud or rowdy.

Do Not Take Any Glassware Home

Never take any glassware home from a winery. This is disrespectful and does constitute theft. The glassware offered for use by guests is often fairly expensive and losing it can be costly for the establishment. However, if you encounter glassware that you find interesting, it may be helpful to ask staff about the shapes of the glassware or the materials it is made of. This information can help you learn more about your own preferences and inform later purchases.