Winery Season: Best Times of Year to Go Wine Tasting

Best Times of the Year to Visit Wine Country by Season | Winetraveler.com

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Last Updated on August 31, 2023.

The Best Season(s) to Go Wine Tasting & Vineyard Hopping

Seasonal wine travel offers adventure and culture enthusiasts an opportunity to taste history. Every season offers a different perspective, but the best time to visit wine country depends on your personal travel preferences.

In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between seasonal wine travel, and help you decide what regions and seasons may be most compatible to you.

Wine Tasting Seasons Explained

The Best Season(s) to Go Wine Tasting & Vineyard Hopping
Winter
- Highlights of Visiting a Vineyard During Winter
Spring
- Highlights of Visiting Wine Country in Spring
Fall
- Highlights of Visiting Wine Country during Autumn
Summer
- Highlights of Visiting Wine Country during Summer
Frequently Asked Questions about When to Visit a Vineyard or Winery for Wine Tasting

Winter

Highlights of Visiting a Vineyard During Winter

Fewer Crowds
Different Landscape Perspective
More Personal Experience

Vineyards in Tuscany during the winter wine tasting season — Frosty vines remain comfortably sleeping in Tuscany under a morning fog.

Often the most under-looked season to take a visit to wine country, Winter wine travel has dozens of advantages.

Not only is the “Winter Wonderland” aspect of snow laying across a beautiful landscape appealing, but visitation at this time of year is also down. That means you’ll have an opportunity to have a more personal experience when you visit a tasting room. More often than not, the winemakers and owners themselves are willing to give you a more intimate tour or tasting.

Keep in mind that the winter season in the southern and northern hemispheres are different. Officially, the northern winter meteorological season begins on the Winter Solstice, or around December 21st. The southern winter meteorological season begins on June 21st.

Spring

Highlights of Visiting Wine Country in Spring

Ideal Weather
Spring Flowers
Witness Bottling Processes
Fewer Crowds
Inexpensive

Budbreak at Borthwick Vineyard in Spring — Budbreak during an early frosty spring season in the southern hemisphere at Borthwick Vineyard in New Zealand. Up close, these moments are remarkably beautiful. Image courtesy New Zealand Winegrowers Inc, Borthwick Vineyard.

Early Spring is also an ideal time to visit a wine region if you’re hoping to avoid crowds. Especially in Europe, when this time of year is considered one of the shoulder seasons. The weather is still relatively cool, hotel costs are down and plenty of accommodation options are available.

Aesthetically, the vines themselves are just starting to bud and local flowers are starting to bloom. This often-overlooked season makes for a perfect getaway opportunity.

Fall

Highlights of Visiting Wine Country during Autumn

The Colors
Unique Harvest-related Experiences
Barrel Tastings

Piedmont vineyards at the beginning of fall from an aerial perspective — Piedmont, home to Barolo, Barbaresco, Langhe and other notorious wine regions we often drink but don’t visit, is an ideal destination to visit in the fall, where truffle hunting, wine tasting and exceptional scenic tour opportunities exist. Take a look at our **guide to recommended tours across the broad landscape of the Piedmont region**.

A personal favorite time of year to visit wine country, autumn gives Winetravelers an opportunity to see the vineyard and winery at full tilt. Aside from seeing wine production in action, the stunning fall colors present on both the vines and surrounding landscapes is nothing short of breath-taking.

Producers at this point are intensely focused on harvesting their grapes. That means you’re unlikely to have an opportunity to hang out with the winemaker without a special appointment.

Larger wineries may offer special events or experiences, including grape stomping with your bare feet, live music, and food and wine festivals.

Keep in mind that this time of year is very popular for wine tourism, so making reservations and planning your route is recommended in advance.

Summer

Highlights of Visiting Wine Country during Summer

Sweeping Green Views
Juicy Grapes
Events

Provence is an ideal summer wine destination — Lavender fields bloom between June and August in the northern hemisphere. Many regions, such as Provence in France (known for its Rosé), offer views like this not far from the vines.

Next to fall, summer is another popular season to have a wine-focused vacation. Remember that many wine regions during the peak of summer can be exceedingly hot, as it’s advantageous for growing certain grape varieties.

For the traveler, however, it can be brutal. If you’re willing to put up with the heat, the landscapes are often in full bloom, the grapes are juicy on the vine and there are food and wine festivals in many regions.

Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and consider looking up any potential events to maximize your summer wine travel experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about When to Visit a Vineyard or Winery for Wine Tasting

What is the ideal season or month to visit a vineyard or winery?

The best month to visit wineries largely depends on the region, but generally, autumn is a particularly fascinating season to visit wineries across the globe. These typically include months between September to November, and August for warmer regions. During this period, also known as the harvest season, the vineyards are filled with ripe grapes, creating an enchanting scenery. This is when the magic happens: grapes are picked, sorted, crushed, and set to ferment. You can immerse yourself in the vibrancy of winemaking process, while the air is filled with the intoxicating aroma of fresh grapes. Many wineries also host harvest festivals during this time, offering wine tastings, tours, and events.

However, for a less crowded and equally enjoyable experience, consider visiting in spring, when the vines burst back to life with new growth and the winemaking process begins anew. But no matter the season, a winery visit always offers the chance to savor good wine and to learn more about the art and science of winemaking. Learn more about the pros and cons of each wine tasting season in this travel guide.

What are the considerations for visiting vineyards or wineries during weekdays vs. weekends?

Visiting wineries or vineyards during weekdays versus weekends offers different experiences and considerations.

On weekdays, wineries tend to be less crowded, which often leads to a more personal, intimate experience. You might have more opportunities to engage with the staff, ask in-depth questions, and perhaps even meet the winemakers. Wineries can often accommodate impromptu tours or tastings during the week because of the lighter traffic. If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for a quieter, more educational experience, weekdays might be your best option.

Weekends, on the other hand, are generally busier, but they come with their own advantages. Many wineries offer special events on weekends such as live music, food pairings, wine release parties, and more. You’ll likely encounter a vibrant, festive atmosphere. If you enjoy socializing and don’t mind the crowds, weekends can provide an entertaining and lively experience.

Where is the heart-shaped vineyard in Slovenia?

As pictured in our featured image during the winter season, the heart-shaped vineyard in Slovenia is located in the small, picturesque region of Špičnik. The vineyard is famously known as the “Heart Road” or “Heart Among Vineyards” and has become a popular tourist attraction. From an aerial perspective, the configuration of the road that runs through the vineyard forms a perfect heart shape, surrounded by lush, green vines, making it a favorite spot for photographers and lovers of wine alike. The region itself is near the town of Maribor, which is situated in the northeastern part of Slovenia, close to the border with Austria.

When is “winery season” in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres?

“Winery season,” typically referred to as the harvest season when grapes are picked and the winemaking process starts, differs between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres due to the reversal of seasons.

In the Northern Hemisphere, which includes renowned wine regions like France, Italy, Spain, and California, the harvest season generally starts in late August and runs through October, depending on the specific grape variety and the weather conditions each year. The exact timing varies by region and wine type. For instance, in cooler climates like Champagne, France, or Oregon, USA, the grape harvest might extend into October and November, while in hotter climates like Southern Italy or California’s Central Valley, the harvest could start as early as August.

In the Southern Hemisphere, home to notable wine-producing countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Argentina (Mendoza), and South Africa, the grape harvest and winemaking activities usually occur between February and April. Again, timing can vary based on the specific region, grape variety, and local climate.

Remember that outside the harvest season, wineries are still active with the various stages of winemaking, maturation, and bottling. Thus, it’s possible to have an engaging and educational visit at any time of the year. Always check with individual wineries for their peak times and any special events they might have.

Featured Image via iStock / Getty: Worth mentioning, this is a unique vineyard in Slovenia while the vines are dormant during the winter season, the tranquility and serenity offer a unique experience. The air is crisp, and the quiet is interrupted only by the soft crunch of fresh snow underfoot. The vineyard’s normal verdant green is replaced by a blanket of pristine white snow, punctuated by the stark brown vines, standing silent and resolute, patiently waiting for spring’s rejuvenating touch.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Greig Santos-Buch is a Co-Founder at Winetraveler, WSET II Merit wine thought-provoker and off-the-beaten-path outdoorsman. He first became involved with wine traveling after a month-long solo trip to Spain about 10 years ago, planning the trip almost exclusively around the gastronomic scene of the country. Ever since that particular trip abroad, he developed a passion for traveling and making wine tourism the core driver behind where he ends up. This has since led him to exciting destinations including the Czech Republic, to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal, California, Washington State, Canada and beyond. His primary aim through Winetraveler is to expose this style of travel to the world and make it accessible to everyone.

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