If you're new to the idea of visiting wineries, you might not be sure what to expect or what to do while you're there. Visiting a winery is a great way to enjoy wine, see how it is made, and learn a bit about the wine-making process. However, there are a few tips you'll want to follow in the process.

Make an appointment

Many wineries do take walk-ins for tastings and tours. However, it is still most polite to call ahead and set up an appointment. This way, you know there will definitely be staff members available to give you a tour, guide you through a tasting, and so forth. You'll probably have a better, more informative experience.

Dress practically

Visiting a winery is different than visiting a wine bar. While you don't want to show up in sweatpants, you should dress casually and practically since you'll probably be walking through some fields and storehouses. Closed-toe shoes, pants, and a blouse or button-down shirt are perfectly acceptable attire. 

Don't wear perfume or heavily scented cosmetics

Your sense of taste and smell are closely related. Wearing anything with a heavy scent will affect how you taste the wine, and it may throw off other tasters' palates, too.

Eat a meal or snack before you begin

Tasting wine on an empty stomach can cause you to get a little too tipsy a little too quickly. So make sure you have a small meal or at least a snack before you arrive at a winery. Some wineries serve food alongside their tastings, but don't assume this will always be the case. 

Don't be embarrassed to spit it out

If you do come across a wine you don't like, do not hesitate to spit it out. Most wineries will have ceramic canisters that you can spit into. Spitting is not usually seen as inappropriate or disrespectful in the wine industry. 

Listen and learn

As you're walking through the vineyard or working your way through a guided tasting, remember to keep an open mind, listen, and learn. Don't feel embarrassed for not knowing something or for asking questions. You're not supposed to know everything about wine; that's why you're at the vineyard!

The tips above should serve as a helpful guide as you tour a winery and taste their wine. After a few visits, it will start to come naturally. For more information, contact a winery, such as Fletcher Bay Winery, near you.