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Travel + Leisure
23-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Travel Writer Who Visits Vineyards Each Year—Here's What to Wear to a Winery This Summer From $19
As a wine writer who visits vineyards around the world, I've wandered through the sun-drenched hills of Paso Robles, sipped Riesling in Germany's steep-sloped Mosel Valley, and strolled the vineyards near Burgundy's most storied cellars. Whether it's a morning barrel tasting in Bourgogne or a sunset tasting in the South of France, each destination brings its own microclimate, terrain, and vibe; over time, I've perfected travel outfits for every type of wine tasting trip without sacrificing comfort or style. When you're walking vineyard rows, ducking into cool (or downright cold) cellars, or sitting down to a multi-course food-and-wine pairing, you want your winery outfits to be comfortable, easy to move in, and stylish for impromptu photo ops. Think: breathable fabrics, easy layers, and comfy walking shoes. From effortlessly chic sundresses to polished but packable pants, these are the wine tasting outfits I always reach for. This smocked midi dress is equal parts flattering and functional. The dipped waistline adds a modern silhouette (which photographs well!), while the longer length offers coverage for breezy days or exploring chilly wine cellars. Throw on a light sweater or denim jacket to keep warm and ready for tastings. Linen pants are your best friend for wine visits; these bottoms are breathable and will drape nicely, perfect for fluctuating temps and long days of moving around and walking tours. Plus, the wide leg gives them a dressier silhouette while still keeping you cool. $118 $100 at Another linen piece ideal for wine country is this shift dress: it's breezy for warmer weather, but structured enough to layer under a denim jacket or light sweater if it gets cool. The black color hides the occasional splash of red wine (we've all been there) and sweat when the temps start to climb, but we are loving the fiery orange-red hue that is the official color of summer. Chelsea boots are always the first thing I pack on a wine visit because many wineries require closed-toed shoes to tour the cellars. However, I also love packing them for more leisurely visits and lunches in the vineyards—they're perfect for navigating gravel, cobblestones, and vineyard rows, all while keeping your look sleek and sophisticated. (I also add extra inserts for my flat feet to make sure I'm well supported through any terrain.) A button-down shirt should be on your packing list for any winery or vineyard visit. Not only is it a great layering piece for added warmth should you need it, but it can also keep the sun off your shoulders and back while touring or even provide somewhere to sit on the ground for extra busy winery moments. (Pssst…it's also a nice top layer to hide spills, should you need.) If you're going to wear jeans to a wine tasting, you want to make sure they hit at the ankle so you don't get dirt, slate, gravel, etc. on them. You also want them to be stretchy enough to move in while still keeping a polished shape. These Good American jeans offer a comfortable high waist, just the right amount of stretch, and a modern barrel leg silhouette that works just as well with boots or platform sandals. Sunnies are a non-negotiable when you're sipping outdoors, and I love this pair of sleek Quay sunglasses; I feel stylish wearing them, but the more affordable price point means I won't be devastated should I lose them after my third or fourth tasting. Classic silhouettes like a cat eye never go out of style, so you can wear them over and over again to happily sip in beautiful wine country. A woven straw bag instantly gives your look that luxe 'I'm on vacation' feel. This Gap shoulder bag is just the right size for holding essentials like your phone, wallet, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a lip tint—plus, the comfortable shoulder design keeps your hands free for holding wine glasses. $35 $27 at If you want something more utilitarian for holding your belongings during a long day of tastings, a sling bag is a great option. This Abercrombie sling bag is ideal for more active vineyard visits; it's compact, but it still fits essentials. The adjustable strap means you can swing it to the front for easy access to your items during tastings. Cool wine cellar? Sudden breeze while the sun is setting? Enter the versatile sweater blazer. This piece is warm without being bulky, and elevates even the most casual jeans-and-tee outfit. It's the perfect layer to throw over your shoulders without wrinkling your dress. This silk bandana is more than just a stylish accessory—it's one of the most versatile items you can pack for a winery. Tie it around your neck when temps drop, wear it as a headband to keep your hair off your face during a windy vineyard walk, or loop it through your bag strap for a chic detail in photos. It adds a touch of vintage elegance while offering practical sun protection for your chest, scalp, or shoulders, depending on how you wear it. A classic denim jacket is the unsung hero of any winery outfit. Lightweight yet durable, it's the perfect outer layer for the cool microclimates that come with early morning tours or shaded tastings in a barrel room. It also works beautifully over breezy sundresses or paired with wide-leg linen pants, adding structure and polish without looking too 'done.' Bonus: the cropped silhouette makes it easy to pack and great for throwing over your shoulders when the sun dips. Whether you're strolling through sun-drenched vines or sipping wine on an open terrace, a wide-brim hat is your best defense against midday rays. This one's packable—so you can easily stash it in your tote without worrying about it losing its shape—and it's made with lightweight, breathable fabric that keeps you cool. The brim provides excellent shade for your face and neck, which is especially helpful in areas with minimal cover (like newer vineyards or high-altitude estates). These platform sandals strike the perfect balance between fashion and function for wine country adventures. The added height gives your outfit a little lift—literally and visually—without sacrificing stability, and the textured sole grips well on gravel paths, grassy picnic spots, or slate-tiled terraces. They're surprisingly lightweight and feature adjustable straps, so they stay comfy even after a full day of tastings and wandering between rows of vines. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Telegraph
A wine-lover's guide to the magical (and affordable) white wines of the southern Rhône
Only one type of wine has ever been described to me as something that is loved by more people the cheaper it gets. Could this be a blessing? A curse? A Holy Grail? Of course, it is more like a half-truth. I'm talking about Rhône whites and the catch is that the wines vary tremendously in style and scope. You've got Condrieu, the heady, all-viognier appellation that I would argue stands outside this aphorism. Then there are the whites made from roussanne and marsanne in (mostly) the northern Rhône. These are majestic beasts: muscular and intense, with oak that smells expensive and prices that race into triple figures. Such wines are loved by collectors and Burgundy -heads – in my experience, though, they're an acquired taste. Then you've got the whites from the southern Rhône: approachable blends that give you, for a fraction of the price, a quality I love to find in a glass of wine: escapism. We're talking evocative, airy whites that smell of summer evenings in southern France. This isn't only my imagination. I'd just finished writing that when I opened an email from the wine writer (and Rhône guru) Matt Walls, who I had messaged to ask how he would persuade people who didn't know them to try these wines. He described the sensation in an uncannily similar way: 'Whites from the southern Rhône are all about generosity. They're rich in body and flavour, satin-textured, fresh but not acidic. They're Provençal in spirit, conjuring warm air and pine sap. You can almost hear the cicadas trilling when you open a bottle.' What is creating this magic? That can vary enormously, not just from sub-region to sub-region but also from producer to producer. We're talking blends. These might include a portion of those stately grapes found in the northern Rhône: marzipan-scented marsanne and powerful roussanne – and the more of these in the mix, the more weighty the wine is likely to taste. Other grapes bring freshness and subtlety: think viognier, with its haunting floral perfume; white grenache; and rolle (aka vermentino), which smells like dried meadow grass. In the mix, there might also be clairette, with its waxy white flower perfume, or bourboulenc, which has a gentle spice. Wines with a large portion of white grenache can feel both rounded and weightless, like the delicious Vacqueyras Blanc (sadly not available in the UK) I tasted from the Bungener family's Clos de Caveau. Others, like the partially barrel-fermented Château de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion 2023, France (13%, Cambridge Wine, £21.50), are more sleek and weighty. The best way to find your way around southern Rhône whites is by trial and error. Start with Côtes du Rhône and Costières de Nîmes; look to Ventoux for freshness and value; to Gigondas Blanc, a new white appellation authorised since 2023, for wines that are based on clairette (at least 70 per cent of the blend). Matt Walls adds, 'For powerful, opulent whites, try Châteauneuf-du-Pape. For lighter, zestier styles go to Luberon, Lirac or Laudun. Between the two, Vacqueyras and Cairanne combine richness with drinkability.' You can also look to Rhône-style blends beyond the Rhône: there are brilliant budget options from elsewhere in southern France – such as the white version of the famous Vieille Ferme (widely available, around £8.50) – and finer wines from further afield in Australia, the US and South Africa.
