Looking for ideas for a bachelorette party? Perhaps you may consider a wine tour – visiting a wine region and sampling the local wines. Most Americans may not realize it, but not all American wine is produced in California; in fact, nearly every state has wineries. California, New York, Washington, and Oregon, as well as Virginia and Texas, have large wine regions with so many wineries to choose from, but it is possible to visit local wineries just about anywhere in the United States.
Most wineries accommodate groups visiting the winery and vineyards. It is usually a good idea to hire a limo for the day, and many limo companies near wine regions offer wine tours and packages that include tours of several vineyards. It is best to call in advance and inquire as to whether limos are permitted at the wineries, but if a tour package is offered by the limo company, you can be fairly certain that the wineries in that region permit limos on the property.
Some wineries give a tour of the winery itself, including the vineyards and cellar, while others offer only the experience in the tasting room, where visitors may sample a variety of wines produced a the facility, with a brief explanation of the production and tasting notes of each wine. In some cases, cheese and crackers, or chocolate, are available to pair with the wines. Visitors may purchase a bottle (or a case) of their favorite wines.
Visiting a wine region and touring the wineries is a classy, enjoyable, and fascinating way to send off the bride before her big day, and tasting at the wineries is generally relatively inexpensive. In addition, wineries are usually located fairly close to one another in a given region, so several wineries may be visited within a few hours.
There is also the option of spending a weekend wine tasting at the wineries, as most wine regions have several places to stay overnight, and there are often many restaurants within a wine region. Usually, restaurants in a wine region include plenty of local wines on their wine list, to be enjoyed with local cuisine. Of course, you don’t have to take a wine tour of the nearest wine region – a vacation to a wine region can be a bit more expensive due to travel and lodging costs, but it’s a great experience and a chance to try the wines of another region.
California remains by far the most prominent state in terms of wine production, with several of its own regions including Napa and Sonoma, home to some of the most famous wines produced in the United States, but Oregon and Washington have a few of their own wine regions to visit as well. Some wines to try in California include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, the very American Zinfandel, and of course the “king” of all varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon. Texas and Virginia have their own lovely and successful wine regions that are certainly worth visiting. New York’s regions include the North Fork and Hamptons on Long Island (where excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are produced, among others), and the Finger Lakes upstate, home to some of the finest Riesling in the state. But nearly every state has its wine regions, and each one is unique.
So if you’re looking for an idea for a bachelorette party that is classy and fun, inquire about a wine tour, visit some fantastic tasting rooms, and try some excellent wines.
