"What should I wear?" is one of the most common texts we get the week of a tour, and I love it, because I'm always thinking about outfits too. Here's the honest answer from someone who has walked a lot of gravel paths in a lot of cute shoes.
Hill Country wineries mix polished tasting rooms with lawns, crushed-granite paths and vineyard rows. Dress like you're going to a nice lunch that ends with a walk through a garden, and you'll be perfect.
Start with your shoes
Your shoes decide your whole day. Many wineries have gravel parking lots, decomposed granite paths and grassy lawns, and you'll hop in and out of the van at every stop.
- Yes: block heels, wedges, cowboy boots, ankle boots, cute flats, espadrilles and clean white sneakers.
- Maybe: flat sandals. Comfortable, but your toes will collect a little Hill Country dust.
- No: stilettos. They sink into lawns, wobble on gravel and make climbing into a Sprinter a project.
Dress for the season
April through October: dress for the heat
Texas heat is no joke. Afternoons are often in the 90s and can top 100, especially July through September. Wear breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, loose dresses and wide-leg pants, and skip anything tight or heavy. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are must-haves for patio stops. The good news: tasting rooms are air-conditioned, and we keep cold water in the van.
November through February: plan for cold snaps
Our winters are mostly mild, but a cold front can drop the temperature fast, sometimes in a single afternoon. Bring a real jacket, even if the morning feels warm. This is my favorite season for boots and a felt hat, and Fredericksburg's boutiques are full of both. Felt is one of my favorites for a hat.
Spring wildflower season: dress for the photos
Late March and April bring bluebonnets along the highways and the busiest, prettiest weekends of the year. Days are usually mild, but mornings can be cool and a front can blow in, so bring a denim jacket or a light wrap. Soft colors, florals and prints look gorgeous against green vines and limestone.
Bring a layer, even in July
Tasting rooms run cold. Between the air conditioning and the stone walls, you can go from a sunny patio to shivering at the bar in a few steps. A light cardigan, wrap or denim jacket solves it, and it can stay in the van when you don't need it.
What to skip
- Heavy perfume or cologne. So much of tasting is smell, and strong fragrance gets in the way, for you and for everyone at your table.
- White, if you're nervous. Red wine happens. If you love your white dress (and brides, you should wear it), hold your glass by the stem and relax.
- Stilettos. Worth saying twice.
- Anything you have to keep adjusting. You'll be climbing in and out of the van with a glass in your hand most of the day. Comfortable wins.
Girls' trip and bachelorette outfit ideas
Coordinated outfits make the best photos, and the van ride is the perfect time to take them.
- Pick a palette. Pastels, all pink, or everyone in florals with the bride in white.
- Go Western. Matching cowboy boots or felt hats are very Fredericksburg and very cute.
- Keep the props small. A sash or a veil for the bride is perfect. Some wineries ask groups to skip costumes and party gear, so save the big props for your rental.
- Plan one group photo. Ask your guide which stop has the best porch or lawn for a group shot.
For the guys
Easy. Nice jeans or chinos, a linen shirt or a button-down, and boots, loafers or clean sneakers. In summer, shorts and a polo are perfectly fine at most tasting rooms. Bring a light jacket in winter, and a good hat is always welcome around here.
If it rains
A rainy day doesn't cancel a wine tour. Tasting rooms and covered porches keep the afternoon going, and the vineyards look extra green afterward. Wear shoes that can handle wet grass, skip suede, and tuck a small umbrella in your bag for the walk from the van.
What's in the van
No need to pack like you're going camping. Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has cold water, snacks and a cooler for the bottles you buy, so your wine doesn't bake in a hot car. Leave the giant tote at your rental.
Your wine tour packing list
- Photo ID (everyone tasting must be 21+)
- Shoes you can walk on gravel in
- A light layer, or a real jacket from November through February
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
- A small crossbody bag, so your hands are free for a glass
- A card for bottles, glasses or tastings at each stop (or add the $89 Tasting Pass when you book)
- A phone charger for all those photos
- Lip balm and a hair tie for windy patios
That's it. Wear something you feel great in and let us handle the driving. Our Classic tour runs 1 to 5 PM, and pickup at your in-town lodging is included.
Savannah
Quick answers
What shoes should I wear on a Fredericksburg wine tour?
Block heels, wedges, boots, flats or clean sneakers. Wineries have gravel paths and lawns, so skip stilettos.
Do I need a jacket for a Texas wine tour?
Bring a light layer year-round, because tasting rooms run cool. From November through February, bring a real jacket for cold fronts.
What should a bachelorette group wear to Fredericksburg wineries?
Pick a color palette or go Western with boots and felt hats, with the bride in white. Some wineries ask groups to skip costumes and party props, so keep accessories small.
Make it easy on yourself
Pickup at your in-town lodging, every stop reserved, and a local driver-guide at the wheel. Rated 4.9★ from 299 Google reviews.
