As you might suspect, I’m a sucker for a wine vacation. I’ve traveled to more than 35 wine regions and I’ve learned a few wine travel essentials to pack. For your next wine getaway, these wine trip must-haves will make your experience better.
Tasting Journal
One of the best ways to learn about what kind of wine YOU like is to use a tasting journal. I know that when I’m tasting 15 wines a day, by dinner I’ve forgotten what they were and what I noticed and thought about them if I don’t keep notes. I like to keep my notes from each trip in a dedicated wine journal for that vacation. You can download my handy dandy Vin Roché wine tasting journal for free.
Self-Care Kit
While I like to limit myself to two or three wineries a day, on a jam-packed wine press trip in Paso Robles I was definitely overserved! Thankfully, a fellow writer introduced me to the magic of Liquid IV. A glass of water and a package of strawberry Liquid IV revived me enough to make the wine dinner that night.
Carrying a few bottles of your favorite water and some ibuprofen are also essential to stave off the effects of too much sip and swirling.
Power Through
Unless you select a paired tasting don’t expect to have food during your wine tasting. If you’re like me and apt to turn into a hangry $%$#% when your stomach starts rumbling, plan ahead and pack some snacks. It might not go with every wine, but you’ll always find a Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough power bar in my purse. I’m not sure who is happier that I have this, me or my travel companions.
Instagram Ready
Since I know you’re posting selfies of yourself from your wine vacation, make sure you’re camera-ready with some wine stain wipes to remove any evidence of that last Cabernet Sauvignon.
Battery Backup
Now that you’re photo-ready, nothing is worse than looking at your phone and seeing 5%. When you’re out all day tasting, having a charger is a must. Since my purse is already heavier than hell, I like a super small power source like iWalk.
Wine Suitcase
Many times you’ll find wines that you can only get at the tasting room. The best way to get these gems home is with a wine suitcase. The cases from VinGardeValise are made to hold and protect five, eight or 12 bottles. While they are pricey, if you do several wine trips, they’ll pay for themselves in saved shipping charges, especially from your wine travels outside the United States.
Ok fellow wine travelers, let me know what you think of my travel essentials to pack for a wine vacation and drop a comment on your favorite wine getaway must-haves.
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