3 common mistakes customers make at a wine tasting, according to a server at a winery

While working at a winery, I’ve seen guests make a few common mistakes.

As a server, I’ve always thought of wine tastings as opportunities to share my love for the beverage with others. Tastings are important for the wineries, too — Silicon Valley Bank found that tasting rooms made up 31% of total sales at premium wineries last year.

I always aim to ensure my guests have the best tasting-room experience possible. I started 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.

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

Here are some of the biggest mistakes customers make at tastings.

I recommend expanding your horizons during a wine tasting

I encourage guests to try new wines at a 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.

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

That’s why I encourage guests to taste wine like it’s their first time trying it. 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 charms your taste buds.

Make sure you’re educated on proper tipping etiquette

In my experience, many guests forget to tip their server at a winery.

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 some people often don’t associate the tasting room with tipping.

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

We offer you our world of wine knowledge and make 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

It’s important to establish your expectations if you’re part of a large party celebrating a special occasion.

Managing the expectations of large groups who come in for bachelorette parties, birthdays, or other celebrations can be challenging.

From what I’ve seen, the tasting-room staff have 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.