Are you planning a wine tasting trip? Wondering how you should dress? While it’s good to know your wine tasting etiquette— the all-important do’s and don’ts of wine tasting — it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with what’s appropriate to wear to a winery.
Keep reading to learn all there is to know about wine tasting attire and get tips for planning your outfit(s)!
Is There a Wine Tasting Dress Code?
If you’re trying to decide what to wear on a wine tasting adventure — especially if it’s your first time — you’re probably wondering if there are any strict rules you should follow. While there’s typically no agreed-upon dress code for tasting rooms and wineries, there are some unspoken rules we definitely recommend following.
Here are some tried and true guidelines for what to wear to a winery:
- Skip the heavy fragrance: A big part of wine tasting is experiencing all the unique aromas, so keep the perfume and cologne to a minimum, for your own benefit and to be polite to other tasters.
- Bring chapstick (not lipstick): Drinking wine all afternoon can make your lips dry and chapped, especially if you’re outside, so bring some moisturizing chapstick with you and skip the lipstick — after all, no one wants to leave lipstick marks all over their glass at a wine tasting.
- Avoid wearing white IF you tend to spill: It’s a myth that you should never wear white in a tasting room, but it’s a good idea to wear darker colors or prints if you think you might spill.
- Wear layers, regardless of the season: While the season will dictate what layers you wear (a heavier jacket and long pants or stockings in the winter vs. a light cardigan and a scarf in the summer), layers are always the way to go; they add class and style to your outfit and allow you to move between the tasting room, patio, and vineyards comfortably.
Dressy is Better Than Casual
Skip the leggings and flip flops! Even though many wine tasting events and wineries are fairly casual these days and don’t have specific rules you’re required to follow, it’s a good idea to put some thought into your attire in order to show respect and look your best. In other words, dress for the occasion.
That doesn’t mean you have to wear heels and a dress or a suit and tie. In fact, a nice floral dress and a pair of sandals or a pair of dark-wash jeans and a polo or dress shirt are all you need to look great and fit right in at most wineries. Just make sure you layer a blazer or a cute denim jacket if the weather calls for it!
Aim for Low-Maintenance Comfort
Above all, prioritize your own comfort. Dressing for the occasion doesn’t mean you should wear shoes that hurt your toes or a tie and jacket that make you feel stuffy and overheated.
Wedges, sandals, or flats are often the way to go, especially if you plan on touring vineyards or visiting multiple wineries — and if you’re uncomfortable in a tie, don’t wear one. Especially in the summer, a nice short- or long-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of dark-wash jeans with a belt is typically all you need.
On a Tour DeVine helicopter wine tour, you’ll be getting on and off a helicopter between wineries and often landing in fields near vineyards, so keep that in mind when it comes to footwear and loose flowing accessories like scarves or hats.
Here are a few tips for staying comfortable during a day of sipping wines and exploring vineyards, while still looking your best:
- Opt for a hands-free or small purse.
- Wear your hair up or out of your face.
- Stick to comfortable shoes.
- Pack a light jacket.
- Skip heavy makeup, especially if it’s warm out.
- Bring a pair of sunglasses.
Take Flight and Experience Oregon Wine Country in Style
Book a helicopter wine tour with Tour DeVine! Taste the region’s finest wines and breathe in the timeless beauty of Willamette Valley’s rolling hills. Along with the Oregon wineries you’ll visit on your tour, we are taking extra precautions during our helicopter flights this summer due to COVID-19 in order to ensure your safety as we take you on a truly unique wine tasting adventure!
Book your tour today, contact us online, or call us at (503) 687-3816.