| 1 - Plan your trip and call ahead | | | | away much, much more. |
| You've got your winery map in front of you. So plan | | | | 6 - Get there earlyWe know, from experience that |
| a route and be realistic about how long it'll take you | | | | afternoons are busiest. So try and get out of home |
| to drive from winery to winery. Can you really cover | | | | and be at the first winery bang on opening time. |
| 50km of twisty road in 30 minutes? Be honest about | | | | Whoever's behind the bar will have more time to |
| what you can do in one day and more importantly, | | | | spend with you, you'll have a better time and you'll |
| what you can enjoy in one day. It's not race to log | | | | learn more. |
| the most tasting notes in 48 hours. | | | | 7 - Taste the wines in order of lightest and driest to |
| Stop... | | | | strongest and sweetest |
| Look... | | | | Tasting fine wines is just like enjoying a fine dinner. |
| Taste... | | | | You start off with a light entrée and you |
| Listen... | | | | finish with the sticky date pudding. Just imagine what |
| Learn... | | | | your prawn cocktail tastes like after your ice cream? |
| And most importantly enjoy the day. | | | | Start with the light whites and finish with the ports. |
| Call each winery a few days before your weekend. | | | | 8 - Learn to spit |
| Not all small wineries open every day and some close | | | | If you swallowed everything you tasted in one day |
| altogether over winter. | | | | on the road, you'd be hammered by lunchtime. |
| Plan your trip and leave time to enjoy your stay at | | | | Learn to spit. |
| each winery. About 1 hour should do. | | | | It's an accepted and expected thing to do in the |
| 2 - Line up a designated driverYou've probably | | | | wine world. |
| already figured out where you want to stay the | | | | But please... practice at home first. |
| night. But you still need to get from winery to winery. | | | | 9 - Don't stress about taking tasting notes |
| Find someone who doesn't drink or is willing to not | | | | Remember you're out to enjoy your weekend and |
| drink this one weekend. It's just plain easier and safer | | | | your wines and not check the boxes on a score |
| for you. | | | | sheet. Grab the wines you like on the day (please |
| 3 - Wear something comfortable and darkFor shoes, | | | | keep them out of the boot on a 40C degree day). |
| leave the stilettos and designer heels home this | | | | And get yourself on the winery mailing list. Most |
| weekend. Wear something you're comfortable | | | | wineries will have a newsletter and tasting notes |
| walking and standing in. Not every winery will have | | | | online. So don't worry about scribbling notes that |
| space for you to sit down so you may be standing | | | | you'll probably lose on the way home. Once you're on |
| most of the day. | | | | the mailing list you can order your favourite wines |
| And wear comfy dark clothes. Dark clothes hide | | | | anytime. |
| whatever you or more likely someone else spills on | | | | 10 - Keep drinking water all day long |
| you. And it's easier than having to change or walk | | | | Sipping wines and travelling all day dries you out. |
| around looking like Spot the dog for the day. | | | | Carry your water bottle with you, keep it topped up |
| 4 - Go easy on the after shave or perfume | | | | and keep sipping all day. It just means you keep |
| A huge part of what you taste comes from the | | | | tasting wines longer and don't flake out early on. |
| smell. That's why food always tastes flat when | | | | 11 - What goes in, must come out |
| you've got a blocked nose. It's much easier to pick | | | | Use the toilets at each stop. I know it sounds |
| up the spice in the Merlot when you're not battling | | | | obvious and we're not 3 years old anymore, but we |
| with the Old Spice from the person next to you. | | | | see all sorts of strange things. So stop at the loo |
| 5 - Have a decent breakfast and plan a good lunch | | | | whenever you get a chance. |
| You'll stay sober longer and you'll get the best from | | | | 12 - Enjoy they stay |
| your days away with a decent breakfast under your | | | | Relax and go with the flow and just have a good |
| belt. It's no fun getting smashed by 11am on the first | | | | time. Don't rush as it's not a race. If you don't get |
| day when you've still got a dozen wineries to visit. | | | | through your planned route, then so be it. There'll |
| Get a decent breakfast and leave time for a good | | | | always be another weekend and hey, do you really |
| lunch. Either bring your own picnic basket and eat out | | | | need an excuse for another wine weekend away? |
| in the vines or eat in. If you've planned lunch at | | | | Remember... You'll be in a new area enjoying new |
| someplace small and far away then please book | | | | things, new wines and meeting new people. Just kick |
| ahead. Often it'll be the only thing for miles and | | | | back and enjoy the experience. |
| remember, plan ahead and you'll enjoy your weekend | | | | |