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How to Dress For a Wine Tour

When you’re looking forward to visiting Bordeaux’s beautiful châteaux, hearing the fascinating details about the wine production process, and tasting all the delicious wines… what to wear is probably not at the forefront of your mind! Generally speaking, although there’s no official dress code for visiting the region’s wineries, think casual chic, the kind of attire you’d wear for dinner at a nice restaurant.

Don’t worry, we’ve compiled some top tips for you, so you can get the most out of your wine tours experiences. Here’s our head-to-toe guide:

Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen (and Sun Hats)

Bear in mind that although you’ll be visiting some indoor facilities, perhaps châteaux with grandiose interiors, and production facilities such as vat houses and wine cellars, plus tasting rooms, you’ll spend some time outdoors, in the vineyards, perhaps having a picnic lunch, so apply sun protection, wear a hat if you have one.

What to Wear (and What Not to Wear)

It’s advisable to wear something comfortable, yet stylish. A sundress, skirt and blouse, slacks or stylish jeans (no rips!). Short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, together with chinos, slacks or stylish jeans. Wear layers, take a pullover or cardigan as it might be cold outside (depending on the time of year) or chilly in the wine cellars, so wear a blazer or sports coat, seasonal lightweight jacket or a raincoat. Women should bear in mind that if their tour includes visiting a church, it’s considered respectful to cover their shoulders, so put on that extra layer over a strappy sundress, or throw on a shawl.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll probably be doing a fair amount of walking, perhaps over uneven stone paving, or through the cobblestone streets of Saint-Émilion, which is a UN World Heritage Site. In some châteaux, you might be walking up and down steep stone steps to and from underground wine cellars, you might walk over uneven terrain through vineyards, and you might be standing for a while when tasting the wines. So sensible shoes are paramount. Forego your flip-flops, they’re fine for the beach, but not the countryside.