What to Pack for Fall Wine Tasting Trips, From $14

When the pandemic brought new hobbies like making sourdough bread and binge-watching movies, my passion became all things wine: online tastings and pursuing my wine certification kept me happily busy. Today, that passion has led to many memorable adventures around the world, including the coveted pinot noir plots of Burgundy, the lesser-known family-owned vineyards of Thrace, Turkey’s oldest wine region, and impressive tasting rooms in Santa Barbara like Jaffurs Wine Cellars and Stolpman Vineyards. Later this month, I’ll be enlisting the help of Imperatore Travel for an intimate tour through Sicily’s idyllic towns and vineyards like Oro d’Etna. Then, I’m checking into the bucolic Country House Villadorata — a stunning luxury farm estate nestled among 23 acres that produces a biodynamic Muscat Petit Grain.

Most recently, I traveled to Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, often called the Napa of Mexico for its diverse wineries across Baja California. At the El CIelo Resort, which is set on over 70 rustic acres of vineyards, I was introduced to some of Mexico’s finest wines — my favorite being G by Gina Gran Reserva Malbec. This trip was a welcomed getaway and the perfect excuse to pull out some of my favorite travel essentials for the wine harvest season.

If you’re about to head out on a similar journey, I’ve shared some of my top must-haves if you’re wondering what to pack for a wine-tasting vacation during the fall harvest season.

A stain remover

Tide to Go Pen for Stains 

There’s no shame in having a wine spill or two — that’s just a sign that you’re having a good time. But, when you do encounter the unfortunate mishap of a Syrah stain on your shirt, rely on these pocket-sized Tide to Go Pens to deliver. Gentle and bleach-free, these pens are easy to use: simply blot any excess residue then apply the microfiber pad tip directly to the stain. Carrying these on wine trips has made me less anxious about spills on my favorite clothing, which happened on more than one occasion during a recent tasting in Verona of Allegrini’s phenomenal Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (which I’d gladly travel back to Italy to taste again).

A lunch bag

Calpak Insulated Lunch Bag

As a resident of Los Angeles, I’m lucky enough to live near Northern California’s prized Sonoma and Napa Valley. Some of my favorite vineyards for tastings include The Donum Estate, a gorgeous art-filled vineyard located on 190 acres of land in Carneros, and Jordan Winery, which takes the art of picnicking to the next level with their lunch experiences that include bites of rillettes and citrus-marinated olives paired with Jordan Cuvée by Champagne AR Lenoble. Whether you want to bring your own bag to transport snacks or take leftovers home from memorable charcuterie boards, this Calpak lunch bag is a perfect companion for any day out. The insulated and water-resistant material holds up against unforeseen weather or even wine splashes. Multiple pockets allow you to organize your snacks and can even fit essentials like your wallet or phone. I also love the number of fun colors and prints that these lunch bags come in, including black and white polka dots and green checkerboard.

A padded wine tote

Opux 6 Bottle Carrier Tote

If you find you haven’t finished a bottle at a tasting or want to take one to enjoy later, this handy bottle carrier will deliver. The six-bottle wine tote has removable insulated thermal padding to ensure bottle protection. A zippered front pocket provides extra storage for items like snacks and bottle openers, and a removable and adjustable strap makes it easy to carry everything.

A pair of comfortable shoes

Vivaia Ankle Boots

If you want to get an intimate experience of what it takes to make wine from grape to bottle, then you’ll need to do quite a bit of walking when visiting wineries during harvest season. That’s why having a pair of comfortable, durable shoes is so important. These Vivaia ankle boots have a lightweight material that adjusts to your foot shape and is also water-repellent, should you find yourself in a sudden rainstorm. I like to dress them up or down with pants during the day and a flowy dress in the evening.

A loose-fitting dress

Draper James Trisha Handkerchief Dress

A stylish, loose-fitting dress that stands up against any temperature that fall weather might bring is also key to a vineyard visit during harvest season. This fun seersucker Draper James dress is one of my favorites because of its comfortable cotton blend fabric and handkerchief hem that makes it easy to move between vineyard to terrace tastings. And, if you’re looking for more options, check out other options from this Reese Witherspoon-owned brand; it has a number of pieces that make me feel comfortably stylish without overdoing it during a harvest visit.

A quick-dry T-shirt

Magcomsen UPF 50+ Short Sleeve T-shirt

As temperatures around the world continue to be unpredictable, a potential heat wave during harvest season is something to keep in mind. This quick dry T-shirt at Amazon is made from a soft polyester material that’s both breathable and moisture-wicking. The UPF 50+ fabric helps protect your skin from the sun’s rays, making it perfect for outdoor activities like vineyard visits. This shirt came in handy during my recent trip to Sicily, where scorching temperatrues could not deter me from roaming the grounds of the eco-driven countryside retreat at Country House Villadorata. A glass of Sicily’s white Grillo wine near their palm-shaded pool is what vacation dreams are made of. 

A spacious tote bag

Calpak Compakt Tote Bag

I need easy ways to transport my belongings on harvest days, like my notebook and a small blanket for vineyard picnics. This compact Calpak tote bag tops my list because it can carry a lot of items without weighing me down. It recently came in handy during a first-time visit to the family-owned Lacman winery in Hvar, Croatia. The island is home to some of the world’s oldest vineyards, planted in the rich soils of the Stari Grad Plain in the 4th century BCE. This tote’s zipper closure and inside pocket allowed me to bring home Lacman’s impressive orange wine while storing my wallet and a water bottle for staying hydrated — a much-needed companion for any wine trip.

A stylish visor

Hurley Women’s Straw Visor 

Another vital packing item for hot weather, this Hurley visor has a wide brim that offers great sun protection and a fashionable straw design that pairs well with any outfit. Plus, the adjustable ribbon in the back ensures that it will fit any head size. If you prefer full coverage, I love this zebra-printed bucket hat from Ciele, made with UPF 50+ fabric on the brim and body. And, speaking of sun protection, I never leave home without Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Sun Drops; this product offers a lightweight feel on your skin and provides SPF 50 broad spectrum protection against the sun on warm wine-fueled days.

A matching set

Wiholl Women’s 2-piece Set

I always appreciate a functional two-piece short set for any excursion, but it’s especially ideal for a winery visit when I’m mobile for hours and want to sit comfortably during a tasting. This set includes high-waisted shorts with two side pockets and an elastic waistband to give you all the room that you need for comfort and easy movement. The fabric is soft and durable, and I’ve found the set to be a good option for pajamas as well.

A set of protective wine sleeves

Aozita Reusable Wine Bags for Travel

One of the hardest parts of any wine trip is deciding what bottles to bring home and how to pack them. That question became a lot easier for me once I found these reusable wine bags and sleeve cases. The double layers of these eight bubble bags ensure extra cushioning to prevent breaking your favorite bottles. They also feature a double zip lock and Velcro seal to prevent any leaks in your luggage. I used these bags on a trip to the base of Mount Etna with Imperatore Travel, where I learned about the volcanic ash used to help produce Oro D’ Etna’s impressive varietals like De Rerum Aetna, Etna PDO Red. In addition to taking some bottles home with me, I also used these bags to safely pack garlic-soaked olives and honey from a local bee farm.

A pair of loose-fitting jeans

Mother The Dodger Flood Jeans

On brisk harvest days, a pair of loose-fitting jeans has become my best companion. The brand Mother produces every type of jeans imaginable, but the loose-legged Dodger Flood style is my favorite for its stretchy cotton and polyester material, as well as its low hanging fit on the waist. I like to pair these with the brand’s Social Butterfly shirt, a cropped, lightweight blouse that exudes style and attention to detail with scalloped edges throughout.

A waterproof jacket

REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket

Prepare for any chance of rain with the Rainier Jacket from REI Co-op. Made from recycled nylon, this pick provides waterproof protection and guards against winds of up to 60 mph. I’m a huge fan of the adjustable hood, plus two internal pockets to store larger items like my phone and notepad. I’ve had Oregon’s Willamette Valley on my wine must-visit list for some time, and having a handy rain jacket will be a must when I finally make my way to taste the region’s award-winning pinot noirs.

A simple black dress

Scotch & Soda Contrast Stitch Satin Midi Dress

A loose-fitting, staple black dress is mandatory for any wine trip getaway. Not only does this color mask any spills, but it’s also a classic tone that can take you from day to night. This satin midi dress from Scotch & Soda is made from a comfortable viscose and polyester blend, ensuring stretch and a flattering fit. I love how it hangs right above the ankle so that I can still show off whatever cute pair of shoes I’m wearing.

A lightweight linen shirt

Two Thirds Judinsalo Shirt

Another harvest staple, the Judinsalo linen shirt from Two Thirds is the softest material I’ve come across, with a temperature-regulating fabric to prevent any sudden bouts of sweat. The oversized shirt can be worn in a number of ways, including over a dress or tied with a knot in the front. I like to pair it with a comfortable pair of loose-fitting pants and sneakers for a casual day of tastings.

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