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Your Resource For
Wine Region Travel
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| Tour Philosophy |
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The ViciVino.com tour philosophy is to have you learn about the process of making wine from the vine
to the bottle to the table. We will customize the tour for you depending upon your exact interests,
which region(s) you want to visit and how much time you have. What you have at the end is a tour,
perfectly designed for you, taking you from the grapes to the glass.
Each tour has four components:
Vineyards: Learn about soils and microclimates, trellising
and watering, organic/biodynamic/sustainable farming and terroir
The first step is to explore the vineyards, so you can understand the very beginning of the wine process. You will learn
everything from what different types of soils are in the vineyards, to what grapes grow best in which location within the
region. You will be taught why certain varietal's vines are trellised differently, how the canopies (leaves) are maintained
and learn about the chemistry of the grapes while they are still on the vine. Whoever thought there were so many variables
in vineyards, and that they all affect the wine?
Wineries: Crush, fermentation, aging, blending, bottling,
tasting
The second step is to learn all about the winemaking process, from deciding when the grapes are ready to pick for crush,
through the actual crushing of the grapes, fermenting, storing, blending and aging of the wine. Lastly the wine gets
bottled, released and finally poured into your glass. The winemaker or owner will be the one to discuss this process with
you and answer any questions you might have.
Varietals: Grape varietals, clones, where they grow best,
winemaking styles for each varietal
The third step is to learn about the different grape varietals that are planted in California. We want you to understand the
difference between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay, or a Zinfandel and a Cabernet Sauvignon, for example. They are so different in taste
and complexity. You will learn what happens to each varietal after they are picked and pressed, how each varietal goes through
its own distinct fermentation process and how that affects the winemaker, winery and the wine that you drink.
Wine and Food Pairing: Making choices at restaurants and
at home easier and more enjoyable
The fourth step is to understand how each varietal tastes with different foods. How do you know what foods to serve
with what wines, or what wines to serve with what foods? Do you like to pick the wine first then plan the meal around that (something to think about for special bottles), or
do you like to pick your meal and then decide what wine will go with it best? Both ways work! By the end of your tour
with ViciVino.com, you will be more confident making these decisions when buying wine at a store or a restaurant.
Your tour, and the depth of the wine education you receive, depends primarily on how much time you have for this trip.
You will be amazed as to how many variables come into play before the wine even gets to your glass: years and years of
thought, time, hard work, land, equipment, friendships, blood, sweat and tears. With ViciVino.com, you learn about
wines and vines from the experts, from walking through vineyards, comparative tasting, and from trying different food
and wine pairings.
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