What is the protocol when visiting a winery?

When touring wineries certain questions of etiquette always arise. What are the visiting hours? Is there a charge to taste wines? To spit or not to spit?

Each winery has its own character, and even this may vary from day to day. Some wineries are open to visitors, others ask that you telephone first, and others are closed to the public. Those who ask you to telephone first may be taking time off other work to welcome you. When you visit wineries in other countries, you may encounter those where no English is spoken. Most wine regions will have a tourist information spot where you can get a list of opening hours.

Most vitners are happy to offer you wine to taste. In many wine areas, there is a nominal charge for tastings. This is often reimbursed when you purchase a bottle of wine. At other wineries, you will be given a glass as a souviner when you pay for a tasting.

When it comes to tasting wine there are variations upon variations. In some wine regions you are expected to spit out the wine when tasting. There is often a spittoon or small barrel provided for this purpose. If you are in a cellar you may be expected to spit onto the floor!

If more than one wine is offered for tasting the quality should improve with each wine. Even if you have spat out the other wines, it is flattering to say, "This wine is too good to spit out."