5 tips for a viticulture roadtrip

1. Advise the winemakers ahead of time

Vignerons are passionate people who are happy to answer questions and show off the fruits of their labour, but not at any time of the day or night! Some have opening hours and some aren’t open to the public every day. Give them a call before hand to make sure you aren't disappointed.

2. Vary the pleasures

If you’ve decided to visit several vineyards, it makes sense to have a look at contrasting styles. Before contacting the winemakers, look at the wineries online and decide which ones you want to visit. If you can find producers using similar grapes but with different viticultural methods, different terroirs and even different vine ages - perfect!

3. Plan for a gastronomic break

With good wine, good food is never far away. Many vineyards have some sort of restaurant or a ready-made picnic basket for you, but that's not always the case with smaller estates. When you call to enquire about your visit, ask if they don’t mind you bringing a picnic to enjoy with the wine from the vineyard.

4. Drink in moderation

At the end of a tasting of several wines, our advice is make sure you drink a lot of water. Also, do consider taking smaller sips and perhaps even using the spittoon; professionals do at every tasting!

5. Be curious!

We can’t stress this enough but when you’re visiting a wine region, you’re often looking at the culmination of several lives of work, especially in areas where family estates are common. Ask them for their history and philosophies; you’ll find your enjoyment of their wine is increased enormously for understanding it better!