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Unwine’d the Right Way: 10 Don’ts for Your US Winery Visit

By Elizabeth Thorn July 23, 2023
Unwine’d the Right Way: 10 Don’ts for Your US Winery Visit

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The smell of fermenting grapes and a winery’s fine wines is inviting and it is easy to see why a tour of a winery is becoming a popular attraction for American tourists. Increased demand is correlated to increased supply and along with this can come mistakes that can spoil even the most ideal situations.

Don’t let what you don’t know spoil your fun. Uncork these don’ts and unWINE’d the right way.

Not Making Reservations

Wine Cellar Tasting

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Could spontaneity be the reason you don’t get the most out of your winery visit? While there is excitement that can come with spontaneity, when going to a winery, it is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. The top wineries in the country often times require reservations, which means if you just decide to drop in to an unplanned winery visit, you may lose out on the opportunity to do some wine tasting! wineries across the US

Trying Too Many Wines

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Wine Selection

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Save your self from overdoing it with the wine tastings. While it is probably tempting to taste every wine variety that a winery has, it can likely ruin the experience. You should take your time, appreciate each sip, and give yourself time to appreciate the charm of the winery. It is better to get fewer tastings in order to have a more enjoyable experience instead of leaving the winery without really appreciating it and tasting so many wines. Quality over quantity. Taking the time to enjoy each winery visit to create a lasting memory of your trip.

Not Taking Notes

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Wine Tasting Note Taking

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After a long day of wine tasting, do not assume that you will be able to recall the details of individual wines. Be sure to take notes! Record what flavors stood out, what mouthfeel might have caught you by surprise, and the overall experiences that you have at each winery. Your notes will serve as a useful reference for wine purchases you may make in the future, but they will also be a record of your individual palate and of the personal exploration of the world of wine that you undertook.

Skipping the Tour

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Wine Cellar

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Not going on the tour at a winery is a rookie mistake. Not only do you learn about the wine-making process, but it improves the tasting experience as well. Knowing the ins and outs (literally) of how grapes are grown, picked, and fermented helps you understand the process that went into the wine. A lot of wineries have other experiences like stomping grapes, hiking through the vineyards, or tasting straight from the barrel.

Not Asking Questions

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Friends Wine Tasting

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silence is golden! You’ve probably heard this phrase before, but when touring wineries, you want to be the exact opposite of silent. Talking to a winemaker or staff member of the winery gives you an opportunity to ask them questions and hear their story. You will potentially learn about the winery’s vineyards, history, unique soil and climate, growing conditions, and all of the winemaking processes that make the different and incredible wines. Do not be surprised if they take their time to educate you when you ask them to share the info! A good reason to infamously become a \\”wine shower\\” is that you may also learn about the best wines to try that are not on the menu.

Ignoring Smaller Wineries

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Couple in Vineyard

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Don’t ignore smaller vineyards on your next winery visit. Smaller vineyards tend to be less crowded and more inviting. They often have smaller projects that aren’t distributed to bigger wineries giving you a chance to sample wines from the local area that express the unique terrior.

Not Eating

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Wine Tasting Food

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A great meal can also keep you from getting sick, and skipping meals can increase alcohol absorption. This makes it easier to get drunk and makes dehydration happen faster. Who wants to deal with a hangover while you are having fun at beautiful vineyards?

Buying Too Much Wine

Wine Bottles

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It is easy to get a little crazy when purchasing wine at wineries. Try to remember if you are flying there will be limits on how much wine you can bring back with you.

Getting Too Rowdy

Friends at Winery

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Too much wine drinking can lead to a bad and rowdy experience. While getting wild and drinking wine may seem fun, remember vineyards are not party places. Other visitors need to be respected.

Forgetting to Enjoy the Experience

Friends at Winery 2

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A winery may be an exciting place to visit, but remember the purpose of the winery is to relax, enjoy the wine, and take in the stunning views. Taking time to really relax will help visitors enjoy the wine more and create lasting memories. Too many people get distracted taking the perfect Instagram photo and forget to relax and truly enjoy the experience. Take a breath and enjoy the moment.

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Wineries in Malibu

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This summer, you can have a unique and memorable tasting experience. Between the scenic views and the mountains, Malibu, California has hidden treasures that are wineries. Whether you like wine or not, you can enjoy the experience of Malibu’s best ten wineries. The state’s most picturesque wineries are extraordinary, so let’s explore what they have to offer.

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Wineries in Sonoma

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Are you excited for a wine adventure in Sonoma County? Here, you will experience some of the best wineries in the entire country. You will have an enchanting experience among the rolling vineyards and beautiful tasting rooms. In Sonoma County’s 10 best wineries, you will be fortunate to taste the greatest wines in the country.

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Wineries in Temecula

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