Wondering what actually happens on a wine tour? Expect beautiful vineyards, generous hosts, excellent snacks and at least one person confidently identifying a smell as “wood” when it is clearly just the room. Here’s a taste of a day with Tipple Tours.

9:00 am: The group gathers

The day begins with introductions, a bit of itinerary chat and the important business of learning everyone’s name before they’ve all acquired nicknames.

There may be a wine expert in the group. There may be someone who knows the difference between a Chardonnay and a washing machine. Both are welcome. You don’t need to know your tannins from your toenails to enjoy a wine tour. Curiosity is plenty.

A Tipple Tours group is small enough to feel sociable without requiring a name badge and a team-building exercise. By the time the first vineyard appears, people are usually swapping travel stories and deciding who would be best at identifying a grape while blindfolded. The answer is often “nobody but let’s find out”.

10:00 am: First winery, first tasting

At the winery, someone explains the vines, the region and how grapes become wine. This is fascinating. It is also the moment when a few people discover that wine involves more decisions than “red or white”.

You might see the vines, visit a cellar or meet the people making the wine. Then comes the tasting. You’ll hear words like aroma, finish and structure. You can use them too. Nobody will check your work.

A perfectly respectable tasting note is: “I like this one.”

A more ambitious version is: “I’m getting dark fruit, a hint of spice and something that reminds me of my aunt’s curtains.” Wine tasting welcomes creativity.

There’s usually no prize for finishing first. Sip at your own pace, drink some water and use the spittoon if you prefer. It’s there for a reason and it has heard everything.

12:30 pm: Lunch, with a side of excellent decisions

By lunchtime, everyone has developed a strong interest in local food. Wine regions are very good at making lunch feel like a cultural activity. Bread arrives. Cheese arrives. Someone says they’ll “just have a little”. A plate of something delicious arrives and the phrase is quietly retired.

Meals vary by tour, though the best ones give you a chance to try local dishes alongside the wines. You’ll hear recommendations, compare favourites and possibly become very passionate about a cheese you met seven minutes ago.

Lunch is also when the group starts to gel. Conversation moves from “Where are you travelling from?” to “Would you move here?” and eventually “Could we fit one more stop into the afternoon?” The guide has heard this before.

2:00 pm: The afternoon unfolds

Next might be another winery, a village, a scenic drive or something unexpected along the way. Every destination has its own character. Some days bring grand estates and sweeping views. Others bring family-run cellars, eccentric stories and a dog who appears to be in charge of the business.

The guide keeps the day moving and fills in the details you’d miss on your own. You can ask questions, take photos or simply stare at the landscape while pretending you’re in a very expensive advert.

There’s room for the unplanned moments too: a winemaker’s story that runs over, a particularly good local shop or someone spotting a cat that must be photographed immediately. A good group tour has a plan. A great one leaves a little room for the day to surprise you.

5:00 pm: Back with new favourites

The journey back is often quieter for a few minutes. People are thinking about the day, looking through photos and deciding which wine they liked best. Then someone asks where everyone should have dinner and the group springs back to life.

You leave with new wines to look out for, a few stories and a better idea of what you enjoy. You might also leave with a camera roll containing 47 vineyard photos, 12 lunch photos and one inexplicable picture of a wooden barrel.

Do I need to be a wine expert?

No. You only need to enjoy discovering new places and be willing to try something new. Ask questions if you’re curious. Say what you think. “I like it” is a valid tasting note and “I’m still deciding” is a perfectly good one too.

Is a wine tour good for solo travellers?

It can be a lovely way to explore without having to organise every stop yourself. You’ll share the day with a small group and have plenty to talk about along the way. On most Tipple Tours departures your own room is included with no single supplement. Check the individual tour page for any exceptions.

The short version

A day on a wine tour usually involves good scenery, local stories, memorable food and several chances to discover a new favourite. You don’t need specialist knowledge or a dramatic collection of wine accessories. Comfortable shoes and a curious attitude will do nicely.

And if you come away knowing that you like the wine with lunch best? Congratulations. You’ve understood wine tourism perfectly.