Are you planning a wine-tasting getaway? There’s nothing like a weekend spent relaxing, exploring wine country, and tasting unique, award-winning wines. To get the most out of any wine tour, it’s a good idea to do some basic planning to make sure you head out the door prepared.
Keep reading to discover how best to prepare for your wine-tasting adventure and what you should bring with you on your tour!
How to Prepare for a Wine Tasting
There are a few super simple and easy things you can do to make your wine tour the best it can be! First and foremost, go in with an open mind! Whether you’re planning your first-ever trip to wine country or you’re an experienced taster, try to be open to trying new wines, having new experiences, and meeting new people. A tasting tour is the perfect time to try something completely new!
Here are a few things you can do to prepare to make sure you get the most out of your wine-tasting experience:
- Avoid wearing any perfume, cologne, or other fragrance.
- Don’t drink too much the day before your tour.
- Skip flavored chapstick or heavy lipstick.
- Make sure you’re hydrated; drink plenty of water before you head out.
- Do some basic research on the area you’re visiting and plan a few non-tasting activities or restaurants to try. If you’ll be wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, check out our guides for the following areas:
What to Eat Before a Tour
Most tasting rooms and wineries offer hor d’oeuvres, appetizers, or other bits and pieces to snack on in addition to the wines they’re serving. But don’t expect a full meal. You’ll want to eat before you embark on your tour to make sure you’re not uncomfortable and that you have something in your stomach before you start tasting.
You don’t want to feel hungry on your wine tour, but you also don’t want to be too full to enjoy tasting the selection of wines. It’s a good idea to eat something filling but relatively plain. Avoid spicy or overly seasoned foods to make sure your taste buds are unaffected.
What to Wear on a Tour
When it comes to choosing outfits for wine tasting, it’s best to keep it relatively simple. Low-maintenance attire that can be easily dressed up is generally the way to go! Remember, on a Tour DeVine helicopter wine tour, you’ll be getting on and off a helicopter between each winery you visit and walking across fields near vineyards. Keep that in mind when you choose your shoes and clothing.
Here’s what we recommend wearing on your wine-tasting adventure:
- Comfortable clothes
- Plenty of layers
- Dark colors, especially if you’re concerned about spilling
- Easy-to-walk-in shoes
- A pair of sunglasses
What to Pack for Wine Country
Whether you’re staying just a night or two or making a weeklong trip of your adventures in wine country, there are a few essentials you’ll want to make sure you pack!
First and foremost, we recommend that you pack your items in a hard-shelled suitcase or carrier. That’s because hard-shelled luggage will protect any wine bottles you purchase and bring back home with you. The last thing you want is to have your bottles shatter or crack on your way home.
Here are a few items to consider packing for your wine country trip:
- A quality water bottle to keep you hydrated
- Comfy pajamas for lounging in your accommodation
- A small crossbody purse or wristlet
- Comfortable, dressy clothes and shoes
- A travel umbrella, just in case it rains
- Yummy snacks
- A portable phone charger
Essential Items to Bring During COVID-19
Most tasting rooms and wineries around the world are making changes to how they operate to ensure the safety of their staff and guests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your safety is paramount to us. Tour DeVine (along with the Oregon wineries we partner with) is taking extra precautions on our helicopter wine tours this summer. These include implementing capacity restrictions, handing out face masks upon request, and carefully following the guidelines of each winery we visit.
In addition to our precautionary measures, here are a few items you might consider bringing along with you on your tour this summer:
- A cloth or disposable mask or other face covering
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfecting wipes
- A touchless payment method (i.e. a credit or debit card rather than cash)
- Health insurance card
- Thermometer
Book Your Tour DeVine Helicopter Wine Tour Today!
Ready for a day of flight, fun, and fine wine? Taste the region’s most beloved wines and experience Oregon wine country’s rolling hills and small towns from the air! Book your helicopter wine tour with us and you’ll be chauffeured between each winery you visit in style, tasting award-winning wines at each stop.
Book your tour today or call us at (503) 687-3816.