[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.99″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dancingwithwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Planning-Wine-Tour.png” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.99″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.99″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.99″ title_font=”Yellowtail||||||||” title_text_color=”#730d34″ title_font_size=”40px” text_orientation=”center”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”0|0px|54px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” inline_fonts=”Source Sans Pro”]If you enjoy drinking wine, any opportunity you have to visit a winery is a must. From trying new wines, to the often magnificent views, to talking with wine experts, visiting vineyards can honestly be a wonderful experience. Even better are the days where you get to visit multiple wineries. Whether planning a wine tour or attending those that others have prepared, wine tours can be a highly enjoyable experience when designed well.<\/p>\n
Being from the Finger Lakes area of upstate NY, and a lover of visiting wineries wherever I go, I have had the opportunity to go on and plan some wine tours. Here are my seven tips for planning the perfect wine tour.<\/p>\n
This one should go without saying, but you need to have a transportation plan.<\/p>\n
You might be thinking that seeing you are only tasking wines that you or someone in your party will be okay to drive.<\/p>\n
However, tastings can add up quickly. Most wineries include 4-6 1-2oz wines in their tasting package. Therefore, you are drinking at least a glass of wine, if not more, at each stop. For your safety, and the safety of everyone else around you, give the keys to someone who is not tasting.<\/p>\n
Transportation options include:<\/p>\n
One thing you might not think of when planning your wine tour is the order you visit the wineries. The order matters for two main reasons.<\/p>\n
First, the order impacts how much driving is done throughout the day. Look at a map and decide on an order based on locations instead of spending the day driving back and forth multiple times between the same areas.<\/p>\n
The second reason the order matters is your ability to taste the wines fully. The more you drink, the harder it becomes to distinguish the flavors in the wine. If there is a winery where you really want to experience the full flavors of their wines, visit that winery early on your tour.<\/p>\n
All tasting rooms have different hours of operation and might not be open seven days a week. Even vineyards that are open late for events and allow the purchase of full bottles for on-site consumption, might not allow tastings after a certain hour.<\/p>\n
Confirm a winery will be open when you plan to visit.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_margin=”||50px|” padding_right_1=”5%” padding_left_1=”5%” _builder_version=”3.0.99″ background_color=”#42522e” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dancingwithwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_6869.jpg” align=”center” always_center_on_mobile=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.99″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-20px||-20px|” custom_padding=”|||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.99″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” inline_fonts=”Source Sans Pro”]<\/p>\n
If you are touring with a group, it\u2019s always best to confirm the vineyard\u2019s policies. Some wineries require you to book a reservation for groups over a certain size \u2013 especially if you are visiting on the weekend.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that in most cases, these are rules and not suggestions. Wineries that require reservations for your party\u2019s size could turn you away if you arrive without notice.<\/p>\n
While you will find some wineries that offer free tastings, most wineries along wine trails will charge a fee. Prices will vary depending on the location, average cost of wine at the winery, and the specifics of the tasting.<\/p>\n
Here are some considerations if you are traveling with a group:<\/p>\n
The last thing to remember about payments is to carry cash to tip the workers pouring your tastings.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_margin=”||50px|” padding_right_1=”5%” padding_left_1=”5%” _builder_version=”3.0.99″ background_color=”#b60b67″ module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dancingwithwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Planning-Wine-Tour-1.png” alt=”Whether planning a wine tour or attending those that others have prepared, wine tours can be a highly enjoyable experience when designed well. Read these seven tips for planning the perfect wine tour.” align=”center” always_center_on_mobile=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ max_width=”53%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-20px||-20px|” custom_padding=”|||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.99″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” inline_fonts=”Source Sans Pro”]<\/p>\n
If you have time restricted transportation or you are making reservations at the wineries, you must adequately calculate the time you will spend at each location.<\/p>\n
To not feel rushed, you will want to plan at least an hour at each vineyard. This is the minimum amount of time you will want to give yourself to casually sip your samples, walk through the gift shop, and enjoy the views.<\/p>\n
In some cases, you will need to plan more time. This can be when you are traveling on a busy day, like a Saturday, if you are going to eat lunch at their restaurant, if you are going to take a tour of the location, or if you want to enjoy a purchased glass of wine after the tasting.<\/p>\n
In addition to the time spent at each winery, you will also want to factor in the time it will take to drive between wineries when making plans.<\/p>\n
My last tip for when you are planning a wine tour is an important one. Make sure you plan to pack food and water for between each winery.<\/p>\n
Staying hydrated and eating food will keep you going through the day and lessen the possibility of a hangover.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wine tours are a lot of fun. If you have any questions as you plan your wine tour, let me know.<\/span><\/p>\n Do you have any other tips for planning a wine tour?<\/strong><\/em><\/span> If you enjoy drinking wine, any opportunity you have to visit a winery is a must. Whether planning a wine tour or attending those that others have prepared, wine tours can be a highly enjoyable experience when designed well. Read my seven tips for planning the perfect wine tour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" If you enjoy drinking wine, any opportunity you have to visit a winery is a must. From trying new wines, to the often magnificent views, to talking with wine experts, visiting vineyards can honestly be a wonderful experience. Even better are the days where you get to visit multiple wineries. Whether planning a wine tour or attending those that others have prepared, wine tours can be a highly enjoyable experience when designed well.<\/p> Being from the Finger Lakes area of upstate NY, and a lover of visiting wineries wherever I go, I have had the opportunity to go on and plan some wine tours. Here are my seven tips for planning the perfect wine tour.<\/p> This one should go without saying, but you need to have a transportation plan.<\/p> You might be thinking that seeing you are only tasking wines that you or someone in your party will be okay to drive.<\/p> However, tastings can add up quickly. Most wineries include 4-6 1-2oz wines in their tasting package. Therefore, you are drinking at least a glass of wine, if not more, at each stop. For your safety, and the safety of everyone else around you, give the keys to someone who is not tasting.<\/p> Transportation options include:<\/p> One thing you might not think of when planning your wine tour is the order you visit the wineries. The order matters for two main reasons.<\/p> First, the order impacts how much driving is done throughout the day. Look at a map and decide on an order based on locations instead of spending the day driving back and forth multiple times between the same areas.<\/p> The second reason the order matters is your ability to taste the wines fully. The more you drink, the harder it becomes to distinguish the flavors in the wine. If there is a winery where you really want to experience the full flavors of their wines, visit that winery early on your tour.<\/p> All tasting rooms have different hours of operation and might not be open seven days a week. Even vineyards that are open late for events and allow the purchase of full bottles for on-site consumption, might not allow tastings after a certain hour.<\/p> Confirm a winery will be open when you plan to visit.<\/p> If you are touring with a group, it\u2019s always best to confirm the vineyard\u2019s policies. Some wineries require you to book a reservation for groups over a certain size \u2013 especially if you are visiting on the weekend.<\/p> Keep in mind that in most cases, these are rules and not suggestions. Wineries that require reservations for your party\u2019s size could turn you away if you arrive without notice.<\/p> While you will find some wineries that offer free tastings, most wineries along wine trails will charge a fee. Prices will vary depending on the location, average cost of wine at the winery, and the specifics of the tasting.<\/p> Here are some considerations if you are traveling with a group:<\/p> The last thing to remember about payments is to carry cash to tip the workers pouring your tastings.<\/p> If you have time restricted transportation or you are making reservations at the wineries, you must adequately calculate the time you will spend at each location.<\/p> To not feel rushed, you will want to plan at least an hour at each vineyard. This is the minimum amount of time you will want to give yourself to casually sip your samples, walk through the gift shop, and enjoy the views.<\/p> In some cases, you will need to plan more time. This can be when you are traveling on a busy day, like a Saturday, if you are going to eat lunch at their restaurant, if you are going to take a tour of the location, or if you want to enjoy a purchased glass of wine after the tasting.<\/p> In addition to the time spent at each winery, you will also want to factor in the time it will take to drive between wineries when making plans.<\/p> My last tip for when you are planning a wine tour is an important one. Make sure you plan to pack food and water for between each winery.<\/p> Staying hydrated and eating food will keep you going through the day and lessen the possibility of a hangover.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Wine tours are a lot of fun. If you have any questions as you plan your wine tour, let me know.<\/p> Do you have any other tips for planning a wine tour?<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/dancingwithwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Planning-Wine-Tour.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1","yoast_head":"\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Transportation<\/h1>
Order of Wineries<\/h1>
Tasting Room Hours and Days Open<\/h1>
Booking tastings<\/h1>
Payment<\/h1>
Time at Each Winery<\/h1>
In-between Food and Water<\/h1>