A great day in wine country ends at home, safely. A little planning makes that easy.
The single best tip: Decide who is not drinking — or book a chauffeured tour — before you leave, not after the first tasting.
Know the plan for the west
Rideshare is unreliable at remote western hilltop wineries and return pickups can mean long waits or no cars. A designated driver, limo, or wine-tour shuttle is the standard, safest approach.
Pace yourself
- One to three wineries or breweries a day is realistic — more means rushed tastings and over-consumption.
- Eat first and bring water; never taste on an empty stomach.
- Spitting is expected when visiting several venues — ask for a dump cup.
- Virginia's BAC limit is 0.08%, and you can be charged below that if impaired.