A wine tasting trip checks many boxes for summer travel. The weather is favorable and wine experiences can easily mesh with other trip activities like food tours, shopping, and spa days. To make the most of your wine tasting vacation, we reached out to wine pros for their tips and tricks to create a memorable and enriching experience.
TRY A NEW WINE DESTINATION YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO
The usual spots in California, Oregon, New Jersey, and Texas draw crowds—especially during peak season—so consider a destination that isn’t immediately on your radar. One wine tasting locale to consider is Palisade Colorado, which offers temperate summer climate, panoramic mountain views, and fresh air. “Palisade, CO, is an attractive and unique place to plan a wine tasting trip for its proximity to the outdoors,” said Ben Parsons, founder and winemaker at The Ordinary Fellow in Palisade Colorado. The destination offers recreational opportunities like kayaking and mountain biking to complement your wine-tasting while there.
The charm of a smaller town creates a unique experience learning about the local wine options. “The Colorado wine industry is small and owners serve their own wines for the most part,” Parsons said. “It's a friendly group and I think wine lovers will appreciate its stage of development without being overly commercial. There are some real gems out here, great food, great wine, great stories, and recreational opportunities.”
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH
Look online, read reviews, and research before your trip. And, wineries that have their own vineyards should be part of your itinerary. “My advice to wine lovers planning a trip to Colorado is to seek out wineries with their own vineyards to get a true sense of place reflected in the wines,” Parsons said. “Most of the wineries have fantastic views with outside seating and either their own food or food trucks at the weekends.”
PURSUE YOUR FAVORITE WINE VARIETIES
Whether you favor reds, blends, white wines, or sparkling, pick a wine region that can offer you variety so you get the most bang for your buck. California Wine Country—especially Downtown Napa—offers varying price points, selections, and wine experts to guide your experience. “Downtown Napa is the home of more than 50 tasting rooms featuring more than 100 labels and nearly every varietal you can dream of,” said Bob Magnani, general manager at Bazan Cellars in Downtown Napa, California. As interesting as this sounds, it may also feel a bit overwhelming, which begs the question: where do you start?
Create a game plan before arriving. “Have an idea of what you want to experience,” Magnani said. For example, he suggested considering if you want to explore a variety of different Cabernet Sauvignon that Napa Valley is most known for, or are you looking for specific white varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Chenin Blanc? Use web resources of both the local visitor bureau and winemakers or vineyard’s websites to learn more.
DON’T PLAN TOO MUCH & PACE YOUR TASTINGS
You may try to pack lots in a long-weekend getaway, but take time to savor the wines at each stop.
“Give yourself plenty of time at each winery, so fitting in three to four tasting rooms or wineries in a day is ideal,” advised Kyle Schlachter, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. “Many Colorado wineries are run by couples, or by a family, and they really appreciate getting to know their visitors and taking the time to show you why they do what they do.”
PLAN TO HAVE A SAFE RIDE
Whether you have a designated driver, or a car service, be sure to have a plan in place before you start your wine tasting adventures. Ride shares are also an option, so leave the rental car at the hotel to safely enjoy your wine tasting getaway.
