​

Hi Reader,

I still remember one of my most stressful wine trips where I visited seven tasting rooms in a single day.

By the third stop, I was rushing through pours, skipping the winery cat, and mentally calculating drive times instead of enjoying the wine.

Lesson learned. 🤦‍♀️

A well-paced plan makes all the difference between a fun, relaxing trip and one that feels like a wine-themed marathon. 🏃‍♀️🍷

So, I wanted to share some of my go-to tips for planning a balanced wine tasting itinerary:

⭐ 1. Start with Your Musts

I always pick my top few must-visit wineries first. That way I’m not rushing through the places I care about most.

📅 2. Plan Around Hours

Some tasting rooms are only open a few days a week or have shorter hours. Mondays and Tuesdays can be especially limited. So, I check availability before locking anything in.

📍 3. Map Everything First

I plug everything into Google Maps before setting the schedule. It helps spot awkward gaps or backtracking and saves time later.

📈 4. Book Popular Spots Early in the Day

Bigger-name wineries are usually quieter first thing in the morning, so I like to go early and enjoy it before the crowds roll in.

🚗 5. Start Far and Work Your Way Back

I usually start at the farthest winery and work my way back toward where I’m staying. It’s way better than ending the day with a long drive.

🍷 6. Stick to 2 or 3 Wineries Per Day

This is the sweet spot for most regions. But in walkable wine towns, you can sometimes squeeze in more without feeling rushed.

⏳ 7. Give Yourself Enough Time at Each Stop

Keep in mind that a guided tour and tasting takes more time than a quick flight or bar-style pour.

🥪 8. Plan Ahead for Lunch

Whether it’s at a winery with food, a nearby café, or a picnic stop, midday food + water keeps the pace (and the palate) in check.

🧭 9. Work in Local Experiences Thoughtfully

I usually schedule non-wine activities in the morning or pair them with wineries nearby. It helps breaks up the day.

🍇 10. Don’t Try to “Finish” a Region

If the options feel overwhelming, I narrow it down to a smaller area, like one AVA or a cluster of nearby wineries. It makes the itinerary easier to plan and leaves room to come back another time.

I hope these tips help make your next trip feel a little more relaxed and a lot more fun.

If you’ve got a favorite strategy I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear it! Just hit reply.

Cheers,

Laura

P.S. Want a few extra tools to help plan your next wine trip? The Get Up & Go! Summer Travel Bundle comes with travel guides, planning tools, and tips from 20+ fellow travel pros to make it easier. It’s only available through tomorrow, so now’s the time to grab it.

You can get the main bundle for free or go VIP for bonus extras and more time to grab everything, including my Texas wine itinerary. 🤠🍷

P.O. Box 44, Pinehurst, MA 01866
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​