If you have ever asked yourself this question, you are not alone! This article will give you some insights, as well as pointers for if and when you decide to visit a winery.
Whether you are an expert or newbie, visiting a winery can be a lot of fun, so let’s first clarify what a winery is in precise terms.
People often use the words “winery,” “vineyard,” and “tasting room,” interchangeably, but there are distinctions among the three. A vineyard is the agricultural plot where grapes are grown. A winery is the wine production facility. A tasting room is where wine is tasted. In some cases, visiting a winery would mean visiting a place that has a vineyard, winery, and tasting room, and in other cases, you might visit a place that has just one or two of the three.
Why the fascination with wine?
Whether you grew up in a culture that included wine or not, it has been a meaningful part of human culture for 6,000 years. It provides an endless well of entertaining and informative stories about grapes, geography, history, and culture, in addition to being enjoyable to drink.
Wine has long been considered a complement to food and an important part of religious ceremonies and social gatherings, as well as being enjoyed on its own. Grape varieties have evolved over time like all living things, and mother nature has determined which types grow best in which climates. So, there are many regions around the world to explore, each with something a little different to offer in terms of wine, than the others.
What is a Winery Tour and Tasting?
Wine tasting experiences vary widely, and some offer a number of experiences to choose from. A few examples are as follows:
- A casual “flight” – a small pour of several wines, usually 2oz each – enjoyed either standing at a tasting bar, seated at an indoor or outdoor table
- A more elaborate and/or private wine tasting that may include special bottlings not normally offered
- A wine tasting that includes a vineyard tour on foot or in a vehicle
- A tasting that includes outdoor games, hikes, or other activities
How to choose a winery that suits your interests:
There are many wonderful wine producers to visit, and it is often the specific nature of the place, people, or wine styles that influence how much you enjoy the wine tasting experience. For this reason, it is a good idea to take a little time and think about what matters most to you. For example:
- An elegant indoor setting where you can sit while wine tasting
- A walk in the vineyards with winemakers
- A winery or tasting room that you can walk to from the hotel where you’re staying
- A winery that welcomes dogs or kids
- Wineries that serve food, and wine by the glass or bottle
Clarifying your preferences will help you choose which winery you might enjoy most.
How to understand your wine preferences:
Wine lovers each have their own taste, and our individual body chemistries respond differently to wine flavors and aromas than others’, so there is no ‘good’ or ‘best’ wine; there are simply the ones that you like and don’t like to drink, and your tastes might change the more tasting you do.
You will likely go through phases and develop a selection of ‘go to’ wine styles, in the way that you might have favorite musical artists in different genres. Some examples of those styles are below.
- Lighter wines like pinot gris and sauvignon blanc (white wine).
- Lighter red wines like gamay and freisa
- Medium bodied reds include merlot and some pinot noir
- Full-bodied reds like cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and zinfandel
- Anything referred to as a ‘dessert wine’ is either off-dry (slightly sweet) or sweet.
The experience of wine tasting will help you narrow in on your favorite styles and flavors. Now, let’s talk about how to get the most out of your tasting experience.
How to maximize your enjoyment of the experience:
The most important thing you can do to help create the best wine tasting experience possible for yourself and your guests, is to let your guard down and ask questions!
Any winery worth visiting will have friendly knowledgeable staff who love to guide you through the wine tasting process and satisfy your curiosity, whatever your interest and level of knowledge may be.
There are no silly questions, and your wine tasting host should be gracious and welcoming, or they are not worth your time and money.
Don’t miss out on the entertaining stories and knowledge that your wine tasting questions can make for a more meaningful experience. Below are further suggestions to maximize your enjoyment in visiting a winery.
A few things about how wine tastings work: You may be served white wine in one style of wine glass and red wine in a different style of wine glass. You may be given a new glass when you are poured a new wine, depending on how the different flavors among wines may affect one another.
What to wear:
Wineries typically recommend that you wear comfortable clothings and shoes and dress in layers. Aside from urban tasting rooms, wineries are often located in agricultural settings and some of the most memorable opportunities may include walking in or near a vineyard or sitting outdoors.
Flip flops are not recommended when wine tasting however, since they are consider to flimsy and might prevent you from taking advantage of an opportunity to see the cellar or other production areas that may require other footwear.
In hot weather, it is smart to bring hats and sunscreen to your wine tasting, in case needed. Note: It is preferable not to wear heavy perfume or cologne, which might conflict with wine aromas, or be found offensive by others who are tasting nearby.
General Guidelines:
Consult friends who love wine tasting, local ‘best of’ listings, wine publications, or local tourism bureaus, to make sure you know the visitation policies, which vary widely.
Most wineries do not allow pets or people under the age of 21, many require an appointment, only some waive the tasting fee with a minimum purchase, not all wineries offer free tastings, and while all should be ADA compliant, some may be more enjoyable for those with ADA needs, etc.
Wine Tasting Tips for your enjoyment and proper etiquette:
- Do: have a designated driver, especially if you will visit multiple wineries. Enjoy the smell and flavor of the wines you taste, but spit afterward to avoid consuming too much alcohol. Stay hydrated, especially in warm weather.
- Don’t: Taste on an empty stomach, wear dangling sleeves, wear light colors that could stain, wear perfume.
Your First Visit:
With this information, your next step might be to go ahead and try your first wine tasting. Wines are made in all fifty states at this point, though some from grapes that are grown in more suitable climates, so there are many wineries and tasting rooms around the country, not in just the regions well known for winemaking.
How to schedule a winery appointment:
Any winery website should make it clear whether they offer wine tours and tastings or events, whether an appointment is necessary, and what the process of scheduling a wine tasting experience consists of.
Lasseter Family Winery
If you find yourself near San Francisco, Napa Valley, or Sonoma County wine country, we encourage you to visit us at Lasseter Family Winery, just north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge.We are a hidden gem in a picturesque, serene wine country setting, with sweeping vineyard and mountain views. We are easy to access just off Highway 12 in Sonoma County, between the town of Sonoma and Santa Rosa outside the small village of Glen Ellen, just over the hill from Napa Valley, and not far from the Pacific Ocean.
We offer three different experiences, available seven days a week:
Cellar Tour & Private Salon Tasting
Sip Rosé as we stroll among our organically farmed vines before heading into our eco-friendly cellar. Your experience culminates in our salon, with an immersive tasting of five outstanding wines from our Sonoma Valley & Moon Mountain Estates expertly paired with cheese and charcuterie.
Estate Vineyard Tour and Tasting
In our club cart, we explore the beauty and complexity of our estate vineyards, including our century-old Heritage Blocks, all organically farmed by Phil Coturri.
The vineyard tour is accompanied by an immersive tasting of our Estate grown small lot Bordeaux and Rhône-inspired White, Rosé, and Red wines. Cheese and charcuterie are included.
Patio Tasting
Enjoy a flight of five Bordeaux and Rhône-inspired White, Rosé and Red wines on our shaded, open-air patio aside our estate vineyard. Local artisan cheeses are available for purchase, handpicked to complement each wine.
You can book a reservation HERE, and below is a bit more information about Lasseter Family Winery.
Our wines are sourced exclusively from our organically farmed estate vineyards on property, and nearby at the highest elevation in the Moon Mountain District. They are made in small quantities and are available direct from the winery or at select fine California restaurants.
We also produce estate grown, organically farmed herb blends, olive oil, and honey, along with artisan home goods and jewelry.
The Lasseters are storytellers by nature and profession, who fell in love with wine and the art of blending through their travels to the South of France. For that reason, we are passionate about the region’s iconic Rhône varietals (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and others).
We produce several tiers of Rhône and Bordeaux inspired white, rosé, and red wines, along with old vine Zinfandel in a field blend. The Bordeaux inspired offerings include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec.
We hope this article has been helpful, and we invite you to reach out to us at 707.933.2814 or info@lfwinery.com to schedule a tasting, or if you would like to ask us more questions about wineries. We love to hear from you!