Where to start?
If you have already decided to go on a wine tour, you need to think about what exactly you want to do – just to visit a couple of wineries, while having a rest in Italy, or to depart on a thematic trip to wine farms and industries. It works both, but a clear goal will help to build the route in the best possible way.
Next step is to choose the right season. For example, if you want to participate in grape picking, plan a trip in September. If you are more attracted by the production process, go on a trip in the cold season - from November to April. In summer you can go on a tasting tour and inspection of the vineyards.
The third step is to choose a tourist guide. It can be an ordinary travel agency, a specialized agency for gastronomic and wine tours or an experienced sommelier, who will join your route already upon your arrival in Italy. If somebody from the company you travel with knows at least something about wine, you can try to organize a visit to the wineries by yourself.
Tour with a travel agency
Perhaps, it is the easiest way to visit different Italian regions and taste wine, but often - the most expensive. The guides of the agency have already established good relations with the owners of the wineries, you will certainly be provided with a Russian-speaking guide, the agency will take into account all your wishes and will provide an interesting excursion.
Ordinary travel agencies also sometimes offer themed tours to wineries, but not so often (and it is no so interesting), as you would like. It is important to note that with agencies, it is usually always easier to settle disputes, if you do not like something.
Tour with a private tourist guide
On the Internet, you can find many private excursions from experienced Russian-speaking guides - for example - pg.world. Guides perfectly know all the peculiarities of each region and will guide you to the most interesting places. Prices for private guide services are lower than those of the agency, but directly depend on the complexity of the tour and the experience of the guide.
If you want a good excursion, do not skimp on a good guide. A guide or sommelier should not only have good connections in the wine industry, but also conduct an excursion in an interesting and easy way.
Self-guided tour
If you decide to go on a wine tour without agencies or private guides, consider several important recommendations:
- arrange an excursion in advance. Also inform about the exact date and time of arrival.
- even if you have already confirmed the date of the tour, check that it does not come up on weekends or holidays. And in August, many wineries are also closed for visiting.
- note that many family wineries do not conduct excursions to private tourists. Some work only with agencies or sommeliers.
- do not try to visit more than 1-2 wineries in 1 day – you will see too much things and as a result will not remember anything.
- keep in mind that in private wineries you can be invited to stay for dinner and / or spend the night right there. On average, it will cost about 200 euros.
- show the owner your true interest, if he likes it, it is very likely that you will be treated with a rare wine.
- it's good if someone in your company speaks Italian. Many owners of wineries do not speak English, which can be a serious problem.
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