How to Visit a Winery: Prices, Bookings and What to Expect

Visiting a winery is easier than it looks, but knowing what to expect makes the whole experience much better. Here's everything you need for your first visit, step by step, without missing a thing.

How to book

Almost every winery open to visitors works by appointment. The easiest way is to book online: choose the day, time, number of people and language, and you get instant confirmation. Booking ahead matters especially at weekends and during harvest season, when slots fill up fast. If you're a large group, mention it when booking so they can adapt the tour.

How much it costs and what's included

The average price for a tour with tasting is between €12 and €25 per person. It usually includes a walk through the winery and vineyard, plus a tasting of two or three wines. More elaborate experiences — food pairings, reserve tastings, private tours or ones that include a meal — cost more. The price and what's included should always be made clear before you book.

What you'll see

A typical tour takes you through the vineyard, the production hall, the barrel cellar and the bottle-ageing area, while the guide walks you through the process: from harvest to fermentation, ageing and bottling. At sparkling-wine producers, you'll also see the underground galleries and the riddling of the bottles. It ends with a tasting where you learn to look, smell and taste the wine in simple, straightforward steps.

How to taste (no pressure)

Tasting is easier than it sounds. It comes down to three steps: look at the colour by tilting the glass; smell to pick out aromas of fruit, flowers, wood or spice; and taste, letting the wine spread across your palate. There are no right or wrong answers here — it's about enjoying the moment and putting words to what you feel. The guide will help point you in the right direction.

Tips to make the most of it

• Arrive on time: guided tours leave at a set hour.
• Comfortable clothes and shoes: you'll be walking through the vineyard and cellars — the ageing rooms stay cool year-round.
• Avoid strong perfume: it interferes with tasting the aromas.
• Come moderately hungry: not on an empty stomach, nor right after a big meal; some wineries offer a light snack.
• Don't be afraid to ask: guides love explaining things, and there's no such thing as a "silly" question.
• Designate a driver or arrange transport if you're planning to taste at several wineries.

Common mistakes and questions

You don't need to know anything about wine to enjoy it, and you don't have to spit like the professionals (though you can if you're driving). Buying isn't compulsory either, although almost every winery has a shop with cellar-door prices and exclusive vintages. And yes, photos are allowed at most wineries — just ask the guide if you're unsure.

Types of tour depending on what you're after

Not all tours are the same. The basic tour with tasting is the most common and affordable option, perfect for a first taste of what a winery has to offer. The premium tour adds tastings of higher-end wines, food pairings, or longer walks through vineyards and specific plots. Themed experiences — harvest participation, hot-air balloon rides, picnics among the vines, blind tastings or wine therapy — aim for something different. And private tours can be tailored to groups, companies or celebrations. When booking, check carefully what each one includes (number of wines, duration, whether food is included) to pick the one that fits your plan and your budget.

Going as a group, a couple, or solo

Wine tourism adapts to any kind of company. As a couple, getaways with a winery hotel and a paired dinner work beautifully. With a group of friends, fun tastings and wineries with a good atmosphere and restaurant are ideal. As a family, look for wineries with activities for children. And even solo: more and more people travel alone to taste wine, and on a guided tour you'll always meet fellow enthusiasts. If there are many of you, mention it when booking — many wineries have rooms and menus designed specifically for groups.

Accessibility, languages and pets

Before booking, it's worth checking a few details that make all the difference. More and more wineries are accessible to people with reduced mobility, with ramps, lifts and adapted routes, although those with underground galleries or steep vineyards may have limitations — always ask. Language matters if you're travelling with non-Spanish speakers; many offer tours in English, French or German, but it's worth confirming beforehand. If you're travelling with a pet, look for pet-friendly wineries, which are becoming more common in vineyard country. And if you have allergies or intolerances, mention them in case there's a food pairing. A couple of questions when booking avoid surprises and make the visit comfortable for everyone.

What to do after the visit

The visit doesn't have to end at the winery door. Take the chance to buy from the shop (often with cellar-door prices and exclusive vintages), ask the staff for restaurant and village recommendations nearby — nobody knows the area better — and jot down the wines you liked best so you can recognise them later. If you loved the experience, leave a review: it helps the winery and other travellers. And keep the label or take a photo of it — it's the best way to remember what you tried and repeat the winning choice at your next dinner at home.

Once you've got it all figured out, choose from thousands of wineries open for tours and book your visit.