| Being that summer is finally here, it is time to put | | | | viewing the barrels where the wine is stored |
| away our gloves, hats and long underwear and | | | | before transportation or for maturation (if it's a |
| embrace the sun shining on our faces! And what | | | | red wine). Whether the winery has a tour like this |
| better way to spend a lazy summer day than by | | | | or not, all wineries will provide some form of wine |
| touring your local winery or vineyard? Many | | | | tasting of their more popular wines, whether they |
| people assume that if you want to visit a winery | | | | are red or white, sparkling or not. One of the |
| you have to travel far distances to the larger | | | | staff from the winery will conduct the tasting and |
| vineyards of the Napa Valley, the Loire or the | | | | provide a description of the wines grapes and |
| Hunter Valley. Truth is, you don't have to travel | | | | history before everyone takes a taste. There are |
| very far at all to experience the wonder that is | | | | of course bowls to spit out the taste so as not |
| the winery, all the while at the same time | | | | to destroy the palette for future tastings, but half |
| supporting and giving back to your local | | | | the fun of a tasting is actually drinking the wine |
| community! | | | | and not just "tasting" it! So not only is it fun, but |
| In saying that, sometimes people don't even | | | | also educational! |
| realize that there are wineries right around the | | | | Once you've finished with your wine tasting and |
| corner from their own homes. If you live in | | | | are hopefully still standing on your two feet, then |
| Florida, did you know that you have 10 wineries | | | | you can wander round the shop at the winery to |
| spread out all over the state? New Yorkers | | | | maybe pick up a bottle or two of a wine that |
| looking to visit a winery can find 53 of them in | | | | you enjoyed during the tasting, or maybe find |
| the Seneca Lake area alone. There are even | | | | something new to experience. Whether you are a |
| wineries in places such as Ohio, Colorado and | | | | serious wine collector or you simply enjoy a nice |
| Hawaii. A quick search online for the winery | | | | glass of wine with dinner occasionally, there is no |
| closest to you is the first step in planning your | | | | reason that you should not buy the best and |
| perfect day trip or weekend away to a fantastic | | | | enjoy the pleasures as if you had a winery in |
| relaxing and fun winery trip! | | | | your very own home. |
| For those who have never been to a winery, it is | | | | So support your local community and instead of |
| an experience unlike any you have ever had | | | | only going to a winery when on vacation, one day |
| before. Walking on the grounds and seeing the | | | | just pop down the road to your local winery and |
| rows of grapes on their vines is a truly | | | | enjoy the splendour that they have on offer. You |
| picturesque experience. Most wineries will offer a | | | | might be surprised at the quality of wine that can |
| tour upon your arrival that could involve anything | | | | be found on your own doorstep! |
| from seeing the wine production process to | | | | |