You've booked your Ted’s Wine Tour, you’ve gathered the gang or roped in your very own boyfriend or girlfriend of Instagram and you’re just about ready to capture those picture-perfect moments.
Whilst you may have nailed the subtly smug “look at me as I relax candidly with chilled vino in hand” pose, there’s one question left to answer...
TOP TIP #1
TREASURE YOUR TOOTSIES
You'll be on your feet all day (unless you’ve really over-indulged and your friends are having to carry you out😉) so you’ll want to make sure your feet aren’t throbbing by the end of it. Wearing comfortable shoes is an absolute must on a wine tour.
That’s not to say you have to stick to sneakers or invest in a pair of crocs (now that’s a vibe) but if you’re going for heels, opt for wedge, block or sandal style – many wineries will have gravel or cobble-stoned pathways and you don’t want to sink into a slightly soggy lawn! If you are rocking your swankiest sneakers - make sure they’re worn in and you’re not going to end up limping and blistered, and the same goes for boots - which are a great option in winter as it can get fresh in those valleys!
Get your shoes right and you’ll be happy whatever the weather.
TOP TIP #2
ERR ON THE DRESSY SIDE OF CASUAL
Cellar doors are beautifully aesthetic venues - from rustic chic barns to interiors that rival contemporary art galleries, often overlooking stunning valleys and luscious vines. It’s photo opportunity galore and it’s GLORIOUS.
Winemakers are proud of their produce and put a lot of effort into making their guests feel special, and nothing kick starts a day of feeling special than donning your fanciest frock or finest linens in anticipation of a fangirling frenzy from your friends.
Here at Ted’s we love a flowing, floral dress, elegant cuts in muted tones complimented by a linen blazer, those statement pants that scream LOOK AT ME I'M WILD, jokes not really but these pants sure are... Look good, feel fabulous - but heed our advice and INCORPORATE COMFORT into your chosen garb.
A wine tour can make for a long day so be good to yourself and choose something that looks great and feels effortless. After all, it’ll be hard to capture those glamourous "candids” if you’re constantly readjusting yourself, grimacing at a pinched zip or some dastardly chafe!
Elevated comfort is what it’s all about.
TOP TIP #3
LOW MAINTENANCE LUSHNESS
We are HUGE fans of a vibrant lip, but when you’re wine tasting it’s sometimes better to stick to something more fuss-free like a lipbalm/chapstick. Glass after glass, verdelho after vermentino, unless you want to spend half your day reapplying your favourite MAC (and we know how much you spent on that...) then we recommended keeping lips plump and moist with an easy breezy balm instead.
The dish piglets will thank you for it too!
We also recommend you avoid wearing too heavy a perfume; wine tasting relies on your sense of smell, so allow yourself to be immersed in a full sensory experience and skip the strong scents. But please don’t forget to apply deodorant...
Less is more, unless you’re asking about the size of the pour!
TOP TIP #4
POCKETS, PURSES AND POSSESSIONS
You'd be surprised how many people call us the days after their tour looking for misplaced clutches, phones and wallets. With multiple venues visited throughout the day and increasing amounts of the good juice reaching your gullets, we inevitably get caught up in the excitement and a bit forgetful with our valuables.
Bring a small purse or handbag with a strap to carry your phone, wallet and the essentials you’ll need to keep you fresh throughout the day, or at least pick an outfit with deep, billowing pockets (we’re slowly but surely getting there, ladies!) to keep your possessions at hand.
Accessorize like your life (and the whereabouts of your phone) depends on it!
TOP TIP #5
WATCH THE WEATHER!
Most venues will be able to cater for all weather scenarios, and will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but transiting from your vehicle to the cellar door will undoubtedly expose you to the elements even for a short while and you’ll want to be prepared – especially as you’ve put in so much effort to look SCHMICK.
Whether your pre-outing gander of BOM prompts you to pack a brolly or the Factor 50, it takes mere moments and could save you a lot of discomfort. It’s OK to over-prepare as you can leave any belongings on your private Ted’s tour bus.
Everywhere you go, always take the weather app with you.
So there we have it, our top tips for looking tip-top on your very own Ted’s Tour! Head to our instagram page for inspo and to see what our other guests have adorned on their vino-ventures :)
