What to Wear Wine Tasting in Napa

Dress | Shoes | Clutch | Hat | Bracelet

A couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to visit Napa for the first time and boy did it not disappoint! This wino was right at home once I was finally there, but packing for a new place and and a day full of wine tasting required a little bit of thought on what to wear. Sundress or jeans? Sandals or heels? Dressy or Casual? Being a newb to packing for the wine country, I grabbed a glass of wine (for research purposes) and did a little “Napa Style” research on Pinterest. In the end I had to stick to what I knew I would be comfortable in and still look cute for pictures. It’s a win-win formula. So continuing on in true wine fashion, I have a few tips to think about when packing for the wine country.

Tip 1: Research your winery

Depending on where you are going, this will be a determining factor for your attire. Wineries offer an array of different environments. If the wine tasting that you are attending has an outdoor vineyard tour, you might want to dress on the casual side (think jeans and a cute top) and heels would not be your friend through the soft-ground vineyards. If you are going to a nicer tasting inside, you might want to dress up (think sundress or skirt)and rock a wedge or heel. If you are still unsure about what you want to wear, it never hurts to coordinate with others in your party. That way no matter how you dress, you won’t be out of place!

Tip 2: Choose your footwear wisely

Your best bet is to wear a comfortable pair of sandals or tennis shoe as these are your most comfortable options. It is most likely that you will be standing up during your tasting and you might even take a trek through an outdoor vineyard. If you know you will be inside, wedges and heels are certainly acceptable just make sure they are comfortable. You want to be able to enjoy your wine and not have to worry about the growing blister on your toe. We have got bigger fish to fry- like making it to your fourth winery of the day! This pair of wedges that I wore to multiple wineries did not hurt my feet one bit and they are under $20.

Tip 3: Skip the white

I remember my first wine tasting. But really, you are most likely going to be drinking red wine at some point and spills happen. Stick to darker colors that will not show if you miss your mouth or bump into someone. I also suggest not wearing shoes that you would mind getting wine spilled on.

Tip 4: Bring layers

Many of the wineries have outdoor spaces and patios to enjoy a glass of wine and enjoy the scenery. Some wineries might purposefully have the air inside set at a lower temperature as a precaution to keep wine from evaporating. So instead of being caught off guard, make sure to pack a light sweater.

Tip 5: Minimalist for the day

You will not want to haul around much throughout the day. This is mostly because you will be standing or walking and comfort is key. Whatever attire you decide to wear, don’t feel like you need to go all out on accessories. I stuck to my one statement, cork bracelet and was glad I did. Bring a small clutch, like my adorable Elaine Turner Bella cork clutch or satchel to hold your necessities. The only items that I brought to put in my purse were my credit card, ID, chapstick, sunglasses and phone.

Tip 6: Think about your beauty routine

Skip the lipstick. You will be tasting so many wines that 1) it will all come off anyways 2) it can get into your wine and inhibit the taste and 3) it will just leave an icky residue on every glass that you use, making the wine guide roll his eyes at you. Next up let’s talk about your hair. It was super humid when I went and so hats were my best friend. It will be a long day so style your hair appropriately and keep pictures in mind!

I hope this helps you get a little inspiration when picking out outfits for your next wine tasting. Whatever you decide to wear, Elaine Turner has you covered in the accessories department. Their Spring cork line is the perfect accessory to compliment your wine attire. If you will be heading to Napa, California and have questions on where to stay, what wineries are best, or where to eat, I have you covered in this blog post. Otherwise I wish you and your wine tolerance all the best! Cheers, friends 🙂

*Thank you Elaine Turner for making this post possible. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own*