Beautiful Wine Tasting Outfits: What To Wear On A Wine Tour
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WINE TOURS ARE AN UNBEATABLE WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR WINE KNOWLEDGE.
They stay with you in the most charming way — even years after you’ve walked through the vine rows of a particular region, you’ll smile every time you see it featured on a wine list.
You’ll learn about the varietals that come from that region, and how they stack up to other popular regions.
After a wine tour through Alsace, I came to prefer Cremant d’Alsace, a dazzling sparkling wine, over the more well-known Champagne.
VINEYARD TOURS ARE PART OF A CATEGORY I CALL EXCURSION EXPERIENCES, FOR THEIR ABILITY TO TRANSPORT YOU TO A PLACE DEDICATED TO A PARTICULAR HISTORY OR CRAFT.
They are part geographical tour, introducing you to a region’s terroir, or the environmental factors that influence a wine’s characteristics, and part history tour, recounting how that region became known for its wine production, and the political and economic factors that made it competitive.
But it can be a little tricky to pack for a wine tour.
What to wear to a winery?
A SUNDRESS, OR SOMETHING MORE CASUAL?
What about footwear, and do you need to bring any special accessories?
I’ve got you covered with this list of the best outfit pieces for visiting a vineyard or taking a wine tour, as well as some special accessories for budding oenophiles.
Beautiful Wine Tasting Outfits: What To Wear On A Wine Tour
What to Wear to a Vineyard
Midi or maxi dress
Tailored linen pants or shorts
Blouse or button-down shirt
Lightweight sweater or cardigan
Sun hat
Light scarf
Crossbody bag or small backpack
A sundress and a sun hat are a great combo.
Fabrics should be light and breathable, too.
The best vineyard tours will show you multiple parts of the wine-making operation.
This can include the vine rows, the cellar where wines are aged, and a tasting room where bottles are available for sale.
If you visit a winery in the summer, these three areas of a winery will have drastically different temperatures, from the hot, outdoor vine rows to the cold, damp cellar.
It’s a good idea to pack flowy, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, as well as a scarf or light cardigan for layering.
(I typically prefer a light scarf, as it can also cover your shoulders outside if the sun is particularly strong.)
AVOID DRESSES OR SHORTS THAT ARE TOO SHORT — VINEYARD BREEZES ARE COMMON, SO OPT FOR MIDI LENGTH DRESSES INSTEAD OF MINIS.
Wide-brimmed sun hats are a great option for sun protection, plus they add a polished look to most outfits.
When it comes to handbags, crossbody or backpack styles are best and allow for plenty of swilling and sipping.
(Psst! Read my list of the top food and wine destinations in Europe here. 🍷)
Wine Tour Footwear
Sandals with comfortable heel or block heel
Flats like espadrilles or loafers
Sneakers
Ankle boots
Canvas sneakers like Keds are a classic pairing with breezy sundresses, and a great option to pack for a wine tour.
COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE A MUST FOR A WINE TOUR, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE VINE ROWS.
Sandals with cushioned soles are a good choice, as are block heels or low wedges.
(Be sure to avoid stiletto style heels, though, as you’ll sink into the ground. 👠 )
Flats are another great choice — opt for styles like espadrilles, loafers, or leather ballet flats.
Comfortable sneakers, both fashion versions made of leather or canvas and street-style models from Adidas, Nike, and New Balance, are also good for a day among the vines.
ANKLE BOOTS WITH A LOW HEEL ARE BEST FOR FALL OR WINTER WINE TOURS WHEN THE TERRAIN MAY BE MUDDIER THAN IN WARMER MONTHS.
You should always avoid styles like flip flops, which are too casual for a winery.
Don't let packing stress ruin your trip!
I created this downloadable ⬇️ Packing Checklist ⬇️ that you can snag right now.
It helps you plan what you’ll pack, and then keeps you organized as you cross things off once they’ve been packed.
Wine Tasting Accessories
Wine tasting journal or notebook
Crossbody bag or small backpack
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Travel wine bag
Refillable water bottle
Compact umbrella
Lightweight jacket or blazer
Sunglasses are a must-have accessory when visiting a vineyard.
Don’t forget a crossbody bag and a sun hat, too.
Experienced oenophiles always pack a wine tasting journal to jot down notes from their tour and bits of information about the wine varietals they learned about.
And if you’re planning to purchase a few bottles to bring back home, then a travel wine bag will protect this precious cargo in your checked baggage during the flight home.
(Serious oenophiles can even bring a dedicated wine suitcase with space to take 12 bottles back home on the plane.)
IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO SPEND MULTIPLE DAYS IN A WINE REGION, THIS TWO BOTTLE INSULATED WINE TOTE IS FANTASTIC FOR ENJOYING CHILLED WHITE WINES LATER IN YOUR TRIP.
I personally like to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated between pours, and a compact umbrella in case of unexpected weather.
I’m pale, too, so I always need sunscreen when I’m out in the sun.
Seasonal Wine Tour Outfit Tips
It’s still cool in Europe in the Spring, so pack a trench coat to layer over outfits, along with a light scarf.
Opt for leather ankle boots over flats or sneakers in case you come upon mud in the vineyards.
In Summer, don’t forget to pack a wide-brim hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
Be sure that the dresses or outfit pieces you’re packing are made of linen or similarly light, breathable materials.
SUMMER IS THE ONLY SEASON WHERE OPEN TOED SHOES MAKE SENSE IN A VINEYARD, BUT AVOID FLIP-SLOPS OR ATHLETIC SLIDES, WHICH ARE TOO CASUAL FOR A WINE TOUR.
In Autumn, long pants and long sleeves pair well with felt hats.
Winter cold will demand wool coats and knit hats and gloves.
Fall brings lower temperatures to Europe’s wineries, so pack dresses in heavier fabrics or tailored pants with sweaters or cozy knits.
Ankle boots are the best option for footwear, along with accessories like a light scarf and a felt hat.
IT’S PROBABLY NOT JACKET WEATHER YET, BUT BRING ALONG A WOOL BLAZER AS AN ADDED WARMTH LAYER.
Winter wine tours will demand heavier footwear, like leather boots with decent grip for muddy patches.
A wool coat, sweater, and dark denim or corduroy pants will keep you warm while out in the vineyard.
FOR PARTICULARLY COLD DAYS, BE SURE TO BRING A KNIT SCARF AND A PAIR OF GLOVES.
International Travel Essentials
Phone battery backup powerbank
EU converter plugs
eSIM
Passport
Camera, charger, and memory card
Medications
IF YOUR WINE TOURISM WILL TAKE YOU TO EUROPE, THEN THERE ARE ALSO THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY.
Things like passports, plug converters, and eSIMs will need to be added to your packing list.
Luckily, I have an entire explainer post about these items that MUST be packed for any trip to Europe, which you can read here.
One additional item you should arrange before your departure if traveling internationally is travel insurance — I always recommend SafetyWing for the affordable and easy to understand coverage.
Conclusion
CHOOSING WHAT TO WEAR TO A VINEYARD DOESN’T HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL!
In addition to the tips below, remember to be careful when wearing white clothing around red wine.
Go easy on the perfume, as well, since a clear sense of smell is important to getting the most out of a wine tasting.
It’s also a good idea to wear smudge proof lipstick when tasting multiple glasses of wine.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO WINE TASTING ETIQUETTE, IT’S IMPORTANT TO PACE YOURSELF THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN ORDER TO AVOID OVERT INEBRIATION.
Cheer to your upcoming wine tour,
Angela 🍷
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