Cheers to traveling again

Planning a trip to wine country? Any season is a good time to visit, so let’s go. A trip in the winter may afford you the opportunity to meet with a winemaker or winery owner since harvest is finished and vines lay dormant. In the cool spring, bud break occurs, and there’s a level of excitement about the vintage to come — and extra spots in the tasting rooms. Summer is when lush grapevines bask in their glory, and views are extraordinary. And in the fall, everyone cheers a successful harvest.

Whether you sip and savor wines from Virginia, California, Oregon, New York, or your favorite wine region, there’s always a glass of something delicious at the ready. Before you book your trip, however, keep in mind a few tips that will help make your experience unforgettable.

1. Plan ahead.
Once you’ve identified the wine region you’ll explore and the duration of your stay, decide what’s most important. Would you like to visit large wineries or small, family-owned wineries — or both? Are they pet- and/or kid-friendly? Can the winery ship wines to your state? What is your budget? In the United States, some tasting rooms offer complimentary tastings, especially if you purchase one or two bottles of wine. Tasting fees per person vary and can range from $20 to $50 (and more) depending on the region, so check out the winery websites.

2. Make reservations.
Most wineries encourage guests to make a reservation so there will be space in the tasting room and enough staff to give you the best service. Wineries usually offer a range of experiences, too, and reservations are a must especially if your group is large.

3. Hire a driver and drink responsibly.
If you prefer not to assign a designated driver from your group, hire one instead. He or she will offer insight and backstories about the wineries you visit, know the route to each winery, and have the knowledge to answer your questions.

4. Know your wine-tasting limits.
Based on my personal experiences and talking with others, I've learned that a winery visit in the morning, lunch at a winery or restaurant, and an afternoon winery visit is optimal for one day. Along the way, hydrate. Drink two glasses of water for every glass of wine.

5. Have an open mind when tasting a new-to-you wine.
A visit to wine country is a perfect opportunity to expand your palate. Each wine region produces varietals that thrive thanks to its unique location. For example, if you’re in Paso Robles, California, where I Iive, try Rhone varietals such as Picpoul, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. When in the Finger Lakes in upstate New York, give ice wine, Blaufränkisch, or Lemberger a try. In Virginia, sip Viognier, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc for a taste sensation.

Wine country is a glorious place to be. Enjoy!