Blog

Get The Most From Your Wine Tour

As with anything new, the first time you do something brings with it a lot of lessons.  But why waste that first Hill Country Wine Tour only learning what not to do?  We surveyed some who have taken Hill Country Wine Tours with us to find out their tips for getting the most out of your day of fun in the picturesque Texas Hill Country.

By far, the first thing everyone recommended was going by limo.  One person we spoke with had gone on a Wine Tour through the Hill Country by themselves; after that experience, they swore they would never do it themselves again.  Why?  “Driving yourself just isn’t worth it,” says Cheryl*.  “You aren’t able to enjoy the scenery on the way up because you’re looking for where you’re going.  It’s hard to find parking places at some of the wineries and, most of all, you can’t really enjoy the wine, because you’re driving and you don’t want to over-taste.”

What made the trip with Austin Choice Limo the best way to go?  Chris* said, “The driver picked us up right on time; we weren’t even ready when he got there, but he patiently waited for us.  The limo was fantastic – well-cared for, clean and very well-stocked with everything we could want for a day of wine tasting.”  Cheryl agreed, saying “The driver knew exactly where to go and followed a well-planned route.  We didn’t feel rushed at all, but were able to enjoy each vineyard for as long as we wanted.  When we were ready to go, the driver was as well.”  “I really enjoyed being able to go back to the limo and relax between vineyards,” Michael* added.  “We were able to talk about each of the wines we had tasted, while we took advantage of the time to get ready for the next experience.”

Here are some additional ways of getting the most from your Hill Country Wine Tour:

• Plan on only visiting four or five wineries each trip; Alan* says, “We tried doing six our last trip and it definitely was too many.  We just didn’t have enough time throughout the day to enjoy the experience because we were too rushed to pack everything in.”
• Savor each glass of wine you’re served, but don’t drink the entire thing.  “It’s ok to not finish every glass you’re given,” says Chris.  The key to a good wine tour is to not let your palate get worn out by too much wine the first two or three vineyards you visit, so you can’t properly taste the rest of the wine you’re served later in the day.
• Leave the perfume and after shave at home.  Yes, smells do impact your experience, especially if one of your guests is wearing particularly strong cologne or after shave.  Jack* had that experience and says, “It really ruined my palate.  Each time we got out of the car, we were drinking my friend’s perfume, not truly tasting the individual wines.”
• Eat a healthy breakfast.  Starting your day out with a full stomach allows you to savor each wine, without worrying whether or not you’ll be ill later on because you’ve been drinking on an empty stomach.
• Drink plenty of water along the way.  One of the best ways to avoid a hangover the next day is to drink lots of water throughout your adventure.  Staying hydrated also helps refresh your palate, so you taste the wines individually, instead of tasting the wine from the last vineyard while you are at the next.
• Be patient and kind to vineyard personnel and other visitors.  Remember – your group isn’t the only group visiting each vineyard.  You will enjoy your experience much more if you go into it understanding that patience will be needed as you go through your day.  It’s a day to savor, as much as the wine, so don’t be in a hurry to get your glass filled or to ask questions.

Are you ready to get started on a wonderful adventure in the Texas Hill Country?  Book your Hill Country Wine Tour today!

*  Names have been changed at the customers’ requests.