‘Wine’ and ‘vacation’ are possibly the two best words that you can put together in any sequence. When you put them together, you get a recipe for happiness. While this is the case, you need to be cautious and ensure that everything is in place so you have a great time on your wine holiday.
What are some of the tips that you need to pay attention to in order to have a great time? Here they are:
Attend fewer tastings
As tempting as it is to schedule as many wine tastings as possible, doing so can be counterproductive. An overly busy schedule causes stress and comes in the way of relaxing time, which is contrary to what you want from wine and vacations.
To many people, ‘FOMO’ leads them to over-commitment and drive over long distances, barely pausing to rest and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. This is not the right way to approach wine tasting.
Instead of having a fully booked schedule, you should have a shorter itinerary. With a shorter, more concentrated itinerary, you will be able to enjoy your wine and have a great time with every winery and vineyard that you visit.
If you are looking for a reputable vineyard to visit on your vacation, Psagot Jerusalem Vineyards is inviting wine enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate that tradition with their most passionate wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Edom, and Peak.
Psagot, located in the hills of Binyamin near Jerusalem, is a winery that combines history and current wine technology to produce wines that are as story-rich as they are flavorful.
Yaakov and Na’ama Berg, the vineyard co-founders, have spent over two decades developing the land and perfecting their wines, embracing the trials and achievements of Israeli winemaking. Every bottle they produce reflects their love of the vineyard, the region, and one another.
You can visit the vineyard at any given time. You only need to let them know, and they will be ready for you by the time you get there.
Book early
Once you’ve determined which wineries and vineyards you’d want to visit and taste, it’s a good idea (and respectful) to contact them in advance. A fast Google search will lead you to most wineries’ websites, which include an email address or phone number.
All you need to do is to send a simple email requesting a visit. In the email, explain which dates work best for you and how many people will be there. Ideally, schedule visits several weeks in advance, especially during busy times such as midsummer or harvest.
This is especially vital for smaller wineries, which will not have staff dedicated to tours and tastings and will have to divert resources away from other critical tasks.
Arrive early
Arriving early for a taste does much more than just avoid embarrassment. It also gives you time to appreciate the scenery, get some fresh air, and maybe grab a bite.
This all contributes to the context of the location and the memories you’ll carry away from the experience. It also presents topics for discussion with your host, allowing them to better engage with you.
Mornings are the best time to sip wine. Many vineyards open at 10 a.m., so plan your excursions around that time to make the most of your day.
Starting early allows you to spend time after the first sampling exploring the local hamlet and/or vineyards and finalizing your lunch plans.
Wear the right outfit.
Wine tasting is whatever you make of it. People arrive in more formal attire for a lavish day out, while others dress casually in a t-shirt and jeans. There is no right or wrong way to dress for wine tasting. You simply need to ensure that you are comfortable in your outfit.
If you’re concerned about spills or drips, dress in dark hues when learning how to taste wine.
It’s also a good idea to eliminate dangling sleeves, which could tip over glasses or fall into the charcuterie platter.
If your hair is long, tie it up. This way, you ensure that your lovely locks don’t get in the way when you spit.
In addition to your outfit, another key factor to consider is your footwear.
Many wineries feature slopes, gravel, and uneven terrain that resembles cobblestone. You may also want to walk around the different estates, which can be rather long.
To be comfortable, avoid wearing any shoes or heels that may lead you to lose your balance. Low wedges, flats, and closed-toed shoes are a safer option.
Put your experience into writing.
Neatly written notes create a lasting memory of your visit, as well as a reminder of which wines you enjoyed the most and may want to purchase. But don’t feel obligated to write all the time. Remember that your guests will not be offended if you don’t write glowing reviews of each of their wines.
And if your nose is continuously buried in your notepad, you’re probably not paying enough attention to the people and scenery you’ve come all this far to see.
Don’t forget that specialists spend their entire lives generating detailed notes and scores for you to use in your wine selection, so all you really need to write down are some basic opinions and preferences.
Your hosts’ main hope is that you will appreciate the wines, tell everyone back home about them, and then order more.
Should you buy a bottle after the visit?
Should you purchase a bottle when visiting a winery? It depends. There is no need to pay for the tour if you have already done so. If not, the most important thing is to remain respectful.
Wineries recognize that purchasing bottles overseas is difficult; thus, if you are visiting from a different country and are unable to transport bottles, ask the winery personnel where their wines are available in your home country.
Alternatively, they may sell something else that you can purchase and take home.
While you are there, find out if the winery serves nice food. Eating at the winery solves the dilemma of whether you should buy a bottle.
By providing an instant way for you to purchase anything while also adding to the entire experience of your visit, wine yards reduce the rush, allow for more time to enjoy the setting, and place the wines in the context of a meal. All this come together to ensure that you have a great time.
