We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Wine Tasting Tour?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,400
Share

A wine tasting tour is a trip conducted for the specific purpose of sampling wines. Usually, such a trip is done in wine country, a region in which grapes are grown and processed into wine. People on a wine tasting trip have an opportunity to taste hundreds of wines from different wineries, comparing them against each other and learning more about the region in which the wines are produced. The tour is intended to expand the palate of the tasters, and it can also be enjoyable, since many wine producing regions of the world are very beautiful.

Typically, a wine tasting tour visits wineries, allowing the tasters to see the winery, and potentially meet the winemaker as well. In some cases, the tour visits designated tasting rooms, which may pour wines from a single winery, or multiple wineries. Organizing a wine tasting tour can get quite complex, as the organizer wants the people on the trip to taste as many wines as possible, while balancing the desire to linger in some spots longer than others. The tour may take the form of a day trip or a more extended adventure, and often includes lunch, dinner, and accommodations as well.

There are two major types of wine tasting tour. In one case, a bus or limousine is hired so that a large number of people can go on tour. In this case, the wine tasting tour is often arranged by a private company, which sells seats on the bus to customers and dictates the order in which wineries are visited. In another instance, a small group of people travels in a car or two, visiting whichever wineries they feel like. In both cases, the driver is expected to remain sober, for obvious reasons.

Since the tasters will be sampling a wide range of wines, they are not poured full glasses. Instead, a small sample of the wine is poured, allowing people to take a few sips. In some cases, tasters like to spit the wine after rolling it in their mouths, so that they do not become intoxicated by the end of the day. It is also acceptable to take a small taste and pour the rest of the wine out. In some instances, a small tasting fee may be charged, especially if the winery has a large lineup of wines to taste, and this fee will be waived if the tasters purchase wine.

In most cases, a winery or tasting room is open to the public during set hours. In other cases, an appointment must be made. Appointment only wineries tend to be small, and concerned about overwhelming their facilities with tasters. By asking guests to make appointments, the winery ensures that people get a personalized and often intimate experience in the winery. In some cases, the winery may also offer tours of the lab and production rooms, which can be interesting for people who want to know more about the process behind making wine.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-wine-tasting-tour.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.