Do you want to go for a wine tasting but are unsure what’s the best season to visit wineries? We can imagine your confused face in front of the monitor while asking yourself “when is wine tasting season?”. That’s why we put together this blog to guide you in making the best decision and book the perfect wine tasting in the perfect season.
Wine tastings can be done all year-round around the entire world. The fact that wine countries are located both in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere, makes the wine tasting season very long.
Although summer is the most natural time for many to go wine tasting as part of holiday vacations, we would suggest May and June as great months for wine tastings in Europe. This is especially true for countries further south like Italy or Spain when the weather is still enjoyable and not overwhelmingly hot. Furthermore, during this period, you won't be arriving at the peak of tourist season - the winery visit will feel more personal, and the wine makers will probably have some more time to dedicate to you.
What is the best time of the year to visit a winery?
Wine tasting experiences are unique throughout the year, but the optimal periods are generally the spring and fall seasons. In spring, you'll witness the vineyards springing back to life after winter dormancy. The weather is mild and the crowds are not yet at their peak, creating an idyllic environment to savor a glass of wine in the midst of flourishing nature. Fall, on the other hand, coincides with the exciting harvest season. The vineyards become a hive of activity, with an opportunity to partake in grape harvesting events. With pleasant weather and vibrant foliage serving as a picturesque backdrop, it's a great time to experience the winemaking process firsthand. Remember, the best time for wine tasting can also depend on the specific wine region's climate and annual wine events, so it's worthwhile to research your destination beforehand.
Let’s dig a little bit more into each season to better understand the best season to plan a wine tour.
Notice that we refer to seasons based on where we are but always knowing that the situation is reversed in the southern part of the globe.
Winter
Wineries in the Southern Hemisphere are open in between end of November and February because it’s summer over there. If you are looking to escape the cold European winter, plan a visit to wineries in South America, South Africa or to Australia and New Zealand.
Even though temperatures are cooler during winter, it doesn’t mean that there are no wine regions that are worth visiting in Europe and the US.
For those of you who seek some sun and mild climate during the winter season, we suggest you to enjoy a wine tasting in one of our partner wineries in Sicily (Italy), Andalusia (Spain) or Alentejo (Portugal). In the US, California has a favourable climate all year round and wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are open to serve their guests delicious wines under the Californian sun.
On the other hand, if your plan is to spend your winter holidays on the slopes, there are many wineries in northern Europe that are close to ski resorts and can be a good choice to re-heat after a day on the snow. Check out our blog dedicated to wineries close to ski resorts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Less people around
- More personalised experiences
- Green and lush vineyards in the Southern Hemisphere
- Vineyards covered in snow and unique landscapes
Cons
- Cold and bad weather
- Wineries might be closed in Europe
Spring
Spring (in the Northern Hemisphere) is the season when nature starts to bloom again and vines show the first green pods. For us, one of the best wine countries to visit is France, as well as pretty much all the wine regions around the entire Europe because the climate is very enjoyable and mild.
Put Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon or Bordeaux in your list of places where to go for a wine tasting during the Easter holidays. You can pair a unique wine tasting experience with more cultural activities in stunning cities like Nice, Montpellier or Bordeaux. Plus, you won’t find the crowds of tourists nor while visiting wineries in France or while strolling around cities.
Being Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, that means that it is Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, which is probably the place to be in between March and April for a wine lover. It is indeed the harvest season and the best time to visit wineries in South America because climate is not too cold nor too hot and wineries are working to start the process to produce new wine.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Temperature is great both in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
- Wineries are still not crowded
- Bottling processes in Europe
- Harvest season in the Southern Hemisphere
Cons
- We honestly can't think of any!
Summer
Summer is the season for long holidays, relax on the beach and for organising wine tours. But is it really the best season to go for wine tastings? It could be, some wine regions are actually at their best during the warm season, with lush green vineyards and you can find a lot of activities offered by wineries.
Douro Valley, and Porto, is the perfect summer destination for any wine enthusiast, since the climate is not too extreme. Another good option is Rioja wine region in Spain, as well as most wine regions in Germany or northern France. These areas experience less rainfalls during summer and wineries are always open to welcome guests from all over the world.
If you are seeking to escape the hot European summer, wineries in Australia are the perfect place where to start your wine tour down-under. Winters are not excessively cold in Australia, which makes July and August the best time to engage in wine tastings.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lush vineyards and amazing views
- Unique events are organised by wineries
- Sunlight until late in the day
Cons
- Wineries close to popular holiday destinations could be crowded
- Some regions could be very hot and humid
Autumn
We might be biased but Autumn might be the most magical season to plan a wine tour. In the Northern Hemisphere, from the end of August to October it is the harvest season and the colours of Autumn take over landscapes and vineyards.
Get some of the world's most breath-taking views while tasting some of the world's most amazing wines in iconic wine regions such as Barolo in Piedmont or visit wineries in Tuscany. Plan a wine tour around the beautiful hills of Chianti or take part in one of the many harvesting festivals organised around Europe.
Burgundy wine region is another amazing place to be during the harvest season, as the climate is still warm and pleasant without heavy rainfalls. To live a more romantic experience, explore wineries in Rheinhessen, Rheingau or Pfalz.
On the other side of the globe in the Southern Hemisphere, vines are starting to 'wake up' after the winter season. Discover the incredible nature and wineries in South Africa for an unforgettable wine experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The colours of foliage in the Northern Hemisphere
- Harvest-related experiences
- Mild and pleasant climate
- Vines start to bloom in the Southern Hemisphere
Cons
- We honestly can't find any, Autumn it's like Spring, just perfect.
Deciding which season is the perfect one for a wine tour is just one of the things you might want to take into account when organising the perfect wine tour. That's why we have our very own guide that will help you plan the perfect wine tour for you, your friends and your family.
