If you're considering getting your feet wet by joining wine tasting tours, you are not alone.  Ever since the release of the movie "Sideways" in 2004, about two men approaching middle age who decide to embark on a journey through California wine country, have wine tasting tours gained in popularity.  Once reserved for the wealthy or the elite, or just those who thought they were, these tours are now more and more common for anyone who is either a wine lover or just wants to learn more about this wonderful beverage.

What should a newcomer to wine tasting tours know about these wonderful excursions?  What can you expect and how should you plan so that you can get the most enjoyment from them?

One thing to remember is that there are really two types of wine tasting tours - the type that is already organized by someone else, and one you decide to go on by yourself.  There are many limousines and car services that can be arranged for wine tasting tours that you decide to try on your own, and it's important that you use one of these services for such a tour.  The last thing you want to do is get behind the wheel of a car after having sampled several glasses of wine!

For those that are just starting out, it might be recommended that you try some wine tasting tours that are organized by a professional.  This way there will be no surprises, and your day will be planned out for you, leaving nothing to chance.

Where and When You Leave

Since most people interested in wine tasting tours don't actually live in wine country, the best tours often arrange for pickup service at nearby hotels.  If they are not scheduled to stop at the hotel where you will be staying, you can simply alert your host or organizer that you will be meeting the group in the lobby of whatever hotel is closest.  This way they know to expect you and won't think they need to ring your room.

Usually the group starts out in mid-morning since wine tasting tours are typically all day affairs, and there is some driving that needs to be done between vineyards.

How Much Wine is There?

Most vineyards along wine tasting tours offer 4 to 6 one-ounce samplers of their wines, and you choose which you would like to try.  One ounce may not seem like much, but most people who enjoy wine tasting tours will tell you that it really begins to add up as the day goes along, again no driving while drinking!

Private Tours

If you don't want to organize your own wine tasting tours but don't care to go with a group, or have certain vineyards you'd like to visit, you can usually arrange private tours with most companies and they will help map out your itinerary, reserve the vehicle, pick you up, and so on.  These types of wine tasting tours typically don't cost much more than group tours, which are usually well under a hundred dollars per person.