Plan a wine tasting adventure.

Planning a day of wine tasting can be a delightful experience. Here are some steps to help you plan:

1. Choose a Wine Region: Sounds simple but you may be lucky enough to have a lot of options. Start by deciding the wine region you want to explore. This could be based on your preference for certain types of wine or the proximity to your location. Popular wine regions include Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, The Barossa, McLaren Vale, Bordeaux, Tuscany, and many more.

2. Research Wineries: Once you've chosen a region, research wineries in that area. Look at the types of wine they produce, their reviews, and any special features they may offer like vineyard tours, food pairings, or special events.

3. Make a Schedule: Plan to visit 2-4 wineries in a day. Anything more can become overwhelming. Remember to factor in travel time between wineries. Most tastings last about an hour but with vineyard tours or special additions like barrel tasting can be two or more hours.

4. Make Reservations: Some wineries require reservations for tastings, especially in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions. Call ahead or book online to secure your spot. Better safe than sorry and once booked you can relax and know your planned day will go off as you expect.

5. Plan for Meals: Wine tasting on an empty stomach isn't a good idea. Make sure to have a hearty breakfast before you start and plan for lunch. Some wineries offer food, or you could pack a picnic. Another good idea is to pack some snacks just in case or for the ride home.

6. Arrange Transportation: If you plan on consuming alcohol, make sure to arrange a designated driver, taxi, or wine tour company that includes transportation. This way all participants can fully enjoy the day and not be just an observer.

7. Stay Hydrated and Spit: Tasting involves sipping a lot of different wines. To avoid overindulging, make use of spit buckets provided at the tasting rooms. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

8. Take Notes: Keeping notes on the wines you taste will help you remember which ones you liked and why, especially useful if you plan to buy some to take home.

9. Be Open-Minded: Wine tasting is about exploring and trying new things. Be open to trying wines you've never had before. Just because you have not enjoyed a particular wine in the past does not mean you may not enjoy this one. If you do not enjoy it, spit and tip.

10. Enjoy the Experience: Remember, the goal of wine tasting is to enjoy the experience. Take in the scenery, learn about the winery and the wine-making process, and savor each sip.

Cheers to a delightful day of wine tasting!