• As a server, there are a few things I wish more people would do during a wine tasting.
• In order to ensure the best experience possible, it's important to respect reservation policies.
• My favorite guests always engage with their servers and ask about their expertise.

As a server with six years of experience at a bustling Oregon-based winery, I've developed a deep understanding of what makes an ideal guest.

From reservations to tipping etiquette, there are many unspoken rules of wine tasting that I feel more people should be aware of.

Here are five things I wish every guest at a wine tasting would do.

Respect the winery's reservation policy

Whether it's a casual tasting or a group event, sticking to a winery's reservation policy makes everyone's experience smoother.

When I serve guests, I find their experience feels more elevated when I can prepare their table with chilled water, food-and-wine menus, and tasting information — details that reservations allow us to organize in advance.

Most importantly, a quick call is always appreciated if you're running late or need to cancel. It allows us to adjust our priorities, accommodate walk-ins, or better serve other guests without disruption.

Engage with the servers and ask questions

Though some servers may work at a winery for a side job with a view and a generous wine discount, others are soon-to-be sommeliers.

In my opinion, the best guests ask their servers about their background in the wine industry. Many staff members I've met have unique insights from formal wine education, hands-on vineyard work, or years of tasting and studying wines.

I especially recommend taking the time to get to know your servers if you visit frequently. They're often the staff who will guide your future tastings and provide personalized recommendations.

Showing interest in your server's knowledge and history creates a personal connection and makes the interaction more meaningful. After all, it's not just about the wine — it's about the shared passion for the experience.

Keep the table tidy during and after the tasting

It never goes unnoticed when guests make a point to bring their glassware back up to the bar. It's a thoughtful gesture that shows a customer respects the space and the staff's efforts.

If you've used napkins, snack plates, or other items during your visit, neatly gathering them before you leave can help staff maintain a clean, inviting environment for the next guests.

Small actions like these create a positive atmosphere and are always appreciated, especially during peak business hours.

Tip the servers accordingly

Tipping is a meaningful way to show appreciation for the time, knowledge, and effort the staff puts into your experience.

However, I've noticed many guests don't realize that, just like restaurant staff, servers in wineries often rely on tips.

Even if you get a complimentary wine tasting, I still recommend tipping $5 to $15 per person. My favorite guests are the ones who come for a free glass and leave a $5 bill for the staff.

Be mindful of the winery's closing time

Paying attention to the winery's posted closing time is a small but significant courtesy.

Take it from me: There's nothing more awkward than vacuuming around customers as a casual way of saying, "We closed 30 minutes ago, and I'm ready to go home."

Some wineries have strict rules about when they can serve alcohol, and staying late often means the staff have to delay their cleanup and end-of-day tasks. Wrapping up your visit on time shows respect for the team's schedule and ensures a smooth experience for everyone.

I recommend asking about a winery's hours before arriving or planning an earlier visit if you plan to stay for a while.

This story was originally published on January 26, 2025, and most recently updated on May 16, 2025.

• I've been a server at a winery for years, so I've seen guests make their fair share of mistakes.
• A tasting is an opportunity to expand your horizons, so try a wine you don't think you'll like.
• Customers should tip the staff in a tasting room just like they would at a restaurant.

As a server, I've always thought of a wine tasting as an opportunity to share my love for the alcoholic beverage with others. However, tastings are pretty important for the wineries, too — Silicon Valley Bank found that in 2023, tasting rooms made up 31% of total sales at premium wineries.

Needless to say, I always aim to ensure my guests have the best tasting-room experience possible. I started out at David Hill Vineyards and Winery in Forest Grove, Oregon, as a dishwasher and worked my way up to tasting-room associate — a fancy title for a server — over seven years.

Throughout my time at the company, I've seen almost everything, from the wannabe wine sommelier to the guests who think a tasting is an excuse to get drunk with a view.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes I've seen customers make at a tasting.

I recommend expanding your horizons during a wine tasting

One of the most common mistakes I've noticed is that people assume they know exactly what a wine will taste like based on its name or varietal.

For example, I've had guests turn their noses up when I say "riesling" and immediately declare that they don't like sweet wines. In reality, though, not all rieslings are sweet — some are incredibly dry, with crisp acidity and minerality.

That's why I encourage guests to taste like it's their first time trying wine. You might think you know what you'll like, but sometimes, the name of the wine doesn't tell the whole story.

The best part of a wine tasting is discovering something unexpected that surprises your taste buds.

Make sure you're educated on proper tipping etiquette

Many guests forget — or don't realize — that tipping is customary in a winery's tasting room. The setting is a bit more relaxed than at a restaurant, so it seems some people often don't associate the tasting-room experience with the idea of tipping.

However, the tasting-room staff work hard to make your experience enjoyable, and many of us rely on tips.

We're offering you our world of wine knowledge and making recommendations based on your preferences. It's a personalized service that goes beyond simply pouring a glass.

So, it's very discouraging when guests finish their tasting and leave without tipping — or tip like they just got a coffee at Starbucks.

Tipping might not be required, but it's a small gesture that goes a long way in acknowledging a server's effort to make each tasting special.

Don't be unruly just because you're in a large group

One challenging aspect of working in a winery's tasting room is managing the expectations of large groups who come in for bachelorette parties, birthdays, or other celebrations.

Based on what I've seen, the tasting-room staff has good reason to run and hide in the kitchen if someone walks in wearing a "Bride" sash. Don't get me wrong — I love a good chance to day-drink, but sometimes, guests arrive expecting to do what they see in the movies.

They envision wine tastings as an opportunity to slam rosé and run through the vines, but an intimate tasting room isn't the space for that. It's a refined experience, focusing on savoring the wine and enjoying the setting.

I always recommend reserving a private tasting room for larger parties or calling ahead to establish proper expectations so everyone can enjoy the experience without stepping on any toes.