Rant: Wine Travel For The Summer

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
--St. Augustine 

As summer approaches, and you begin to make vacation plans, don't just make plans to visit the beach, to lay in the sun, relax and get a tan. Instead, why not visit a wine region, and immerse yourself in vineyards, grapes, fermentation, barrel rooms and wine tastings. When you return from a vacation of lying on a beach, you probably don't have many interesting stories to share. However, if you visit a wine region, you probably have much more to tell your friends and family about your experiences.   

There are various levels of understanding to all subjects, including wine. You may know little about wine, a moderate amount or be an "expert." Your wine knowledge may derive from a book, an instructor, numerous tastings, or a combination of elements. Another important source of information is travel to a wine region, which is an excellent way to gain further knowledge and understanding. 

Visiting a wine region will likely deepen your comprehension of wine. To meet the wine makers, to walk through their vineyards, to immerse yourself in the region's culture, all can contribute to a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the area and its wines. To have the opportunity to question the staff of the winery, to obtain answers to matters which might have previously confused or puzzled you, can be invaluable. A winery's website may present their brief history and philosophy, but that is most often only the bare bones. There is much richer detail to be found by speaking directly to the people of the winery.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
--Henry Miller

I strongly encourage all wine lovers to visit wine regions, so that you can gain better comprehension and knowledge. Wine writers are especially urged to do so, to give you a better perspective. Travel can be a great experience for everyone, to broaden anyone's horizons. You could visit a Caribbean island, and sit on the beach all day relaxing. Or you could take a more educational vacation and visit places such as Spain, Oregon, Croatia, Paso Robles, Argentina, or Long Island, and explore their wines, cuisine, and more. If wine is your passion, then such a journey should call to your heart and soul.

Before you visit a wine region, be sure to do some prior research, so that you aren't a blank slate when you arrive. You can then arrive with more informed questions, ones that cannot be answered simply by visiting the winery's website. When you get to the region, be proactive, asking questions, participating in as much as you can. If you are offered the opportunity to experience something different, like harvesting grapes or tasting something unusual, then take it. Try new foods, learn local customs, and have fun. Seize the moment and squeeze every ounce of knowledge and experience out of your trip.

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
--James Michener

If you can plan an international trip, there are many different options for wine regions, from Europe to South Africa, Argentina to Australia. Croatia, Portugal and Spain are three of my favorite wine regions to visit, offering excellent wine and food, culture and history. Although traveling to these countries can be great, I understand that not everyone can afford it.  

If your traveling budget is more limited, just seek out wine regions and wineries more local to you. Every state in the U.S. now produces wine, and you are likely within driving distance of a number of others. That will give you plenty of options, and then you can save up for a larger trip out of the country, or even just to a different state. 

For example, in New England there are said to be over 115 wineries, with about 55 of them located in Massachusetts. Did you realize that many wineries existed in Massachusetts? You could make a day trip and easily visit several local wineries, and during a weekend trip, you could visit even more. If you have several days, or even a week, available for a wine trip, you could instead drive to New York and visit wineries on Long Island, in the Finger Lakes or the Hudson Valley.  

Don't just hang on the beach this summer. Visit a wine region and have a fun and fascinating experience. A tan may last a month or so but the knowledge gained from visiting wineries will last throughout your life. And would you rather hear someone's story about how they acquired their tan, or about the wineries they visited?