Introduction
There’s something special about going on a road trip with wine in the trunk – both figuratively and literally. Imagine it: the sun is shining, the landscape is rolling with green vineyards, and you’re driving through small villages with the next winery just around the corner. Wine tours are for anyone who appreciates taste, atmosphere and the freedom to take small detours off the beaten track.
Plan the big things, but make room for the small things
It can be a good idea to have an overall itinerary – which wine regions you want to experience and where you will stay overnight. But don’t pack your program too tightly. Some of the greatest experiences emerge when you spontaneously swing into a vineyard you’ve never heard of. Often, it’s here that you meet winegrowers who are passionate about their craft and invite you into the cellar with a twinkle in their eye and perhaps an unofficial tasting straight from the barrel.
Book visits – especially with the little ones
Many wineries, especially in Southern Europe, only accept visitors by appointment. It’s not necessarily because they’re snobbish, but because they simply have to take care of the fields, production and perhaps the family. A short call or a quick email a few days before is often enough – and the reward is great. You avoid tourist queues, and you often get a much more personal experience, where you can ask questions, hear stories and taste wines that never come to the general public.
Prepare the trunk for wine
If you plan to buy wine to take home – and you probably will – think about how the bottles will be stored. Wine does not like high temperatures or rattling around in the car. Bring a cooler bag, a couple of old blankets or a plastic box so that the bottles are stable and in the shade. In the summer months, it may be a good idea to plan a visit in the morning and then get the wine safely in the house before the afternoon sun hits.
Use wine as a guide
One of the best tips on a wine road trip is to let the wine be your guide. If you taste something special at a restaurant or local wine bar, ask where it comes from – and go there. Many small producers only sell locally, and you can get access to unique bottles you would never find at home. It also opens up opportunities for meetings with locals, where conversation quickly flows when accompanied by a glass or two.
Drive and taste with care
It almost goes without saying, but it’s worth mentioning: don’t drink while driving. The tasting is fine with a spittoon (although it takes some getting used to), and you can always buy the bottles and enjoy them later in the day. Alternatively, you can arrange for a driver to stick to water and bread – and switch the next day.
Remember it all has to go home
Depending on how much wine you buy, you should also consider transportation home. If you drive your own car, it's easy. But if you fly home, consider having the wine shipped - many wineries offer reasonable shipping solutions. And remember customs regulations if you're traveling outside the EU.
Finally: wine tours are not just about us
Of course, it's the wine that beckons – but a wine road trip is just as much about the landscapes, the atmosphere and the encounters along the way. It's morning coffee with a view of vines, lunch in a dusty village and the conversations that arise over tastings in the depths of the cellar. It's the experience of feeling where the wine comes from – and taking it home, not just as a bottle, but as a memory in liquid form.