This is a collection of the most commonly asked questions about visiting a Winery or Vineyard for the first time.
If visiting a working winery facility, keep in mind that the temperature in the facility will be an average of 66 degrees. San Diego’s countryside has many microclimates and the weather will change slightly as you move from the coast to the foothills. Make sure to check the weather for the winery you are visiting on the day of travel. Dress to your comfort level and use layers to help heat-up or cool-down throughout your experience. Remember to see if the tasting areas are indoor or outdoor, so that you have the proper attire to enjoy your visit. If you are planning to go to the vineyard, bring boots!
Palate Cleansers - bland crackers, french bread, or plain baguettes. (Avoid Salty or Strongly Seasoned items)
Cheese - Wine & cheese is a classic pairing! Cube or slice your favorite cheeses and serve with toothpicks for a great snack with your wine. Check out the fine cheeses section at your grocery store or meat market. Experiment with different flavors too discover which cheeses you enjoy best with different types of wine.
Nuts - Stick to Dry Roasted. It is recommended to go with a mixed nut selection. Avoid the Honey Roasted, Salted, or flavored varieties.
Chocolate - Plain dark chocolate is amazing with either white or red wine, and richer truffle varieties are great with drier wines.
Berries - Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are all amazing with wine. Pick your favorite type of berry to serve, or try a mixture.
Hummus - The full body of hummus compliments robust red wines. Even better if your winery also has fresh olive oil, be sure to check.
Dried Fruit - Having a lighter taste & a more solid texture than fresh fruit, a simple dried fruit selection can help to play up the fruit tastes in the wine.
Cured Olives - The salty flavor compliments many wines, the briny solution makes the mouth salivate, helping you recover from some of the drier wines. Kalamata olives are an excellent choice that many people are familiar with. Be sure to bring a bowl for the pits.
Driving or flying, taking wine home from your San Diego visit is the perfect way to take your vacation experience back with you. Airline restrictions require that all liquids be checked within luggage. A proper flight case or bottle box for your wines is highly recommended, and check it as luggage. Some of the local wineries have these or shipping options available for your purchase, so ask the winery you are visiting what they have for your shipping needs.
You should also consider having your bottles delivered home by the winery you visit. Check where you live locally, to make sure that you can take shipment of these items via post, as each state has different shipping regulations regarding alcohol.