Prior to the pandemic, many wineries in Napa Valley put up signs that said, “By Appointment Only”. There were advantages to the wineries, particularly lower operating costs, more controlled visitor traffic and potentially simpler compliance with land-use restrictions. Afterwards, reserved tastings became ubiquitous in Napa Valley and elsewhere. Part of the reason was the same cost savings, but we believe that more of it was to make winery visits “fancy”, thereby justifying higher and higher tasting fees.
Of course, reservations did make for a more pleasant experience, eliminating crowded, noisy tasting rooms, especially on weekends and holidays. But it also eliminated serendipity and the ability to change one’s mind. We have found that in many cases it is still possible to walk into a winery and enjoy a tasting, but it’s worthwhile to know the ins and outs of getting in.
- Some wineries really mean that reservations are required. These are the ones that are either very popular, very snobbish or both. It always seems crowded, to our eyes, at places like Domaine Carneros, one of Napa Valley’s most enjoyable tasting experience, or at Robert Mondavi, which attracts visitors because of its name and its place in wine tasting history. You can try calling from the road, but all too many calls go to an answering machine.
- Most wineries aren’t full most of the time. You have less chance of just walking in at 2:00 on July 4 weekend. But on a random Tuesday, there are usually many empty tables at even the most exclusive tasting rooms. It’s a good idea to be just a little apologetic. If you arrive and just ask to be served, you’re more likely to be rejected. On the other hand, if you look a little sorrowful and say, “Gee we don’t have a reservation but could you squeeze us in” your chances are better.
- Increasingly, wineries are using their bars for walk-ins. As wineries moved to seated tastings, they didn’t tear down their bars. We have found that many of them are accepting walk-ins but are serving them at those bars. In some cases, there’s a reduced tasting list, but more likely it’s the same wine without the table. We actually miss standing with other visitors at the bar, so it’s not so bad.
- You may just get a limited taste. In some cases, a tasting room may be completely full and they really can’t accept walk-ins. Napa Valley wineries are in the entertainment business as much as winemaking, so they don’t like unhappy visitors. We have found that if they really can’t find room for you, they’ll offer you a splash of one of their wines before sending you on your way. This has happened to us and we plan to make a reservation at one of those wineries the next time we’re in Napa Valley. We don’t know if that would have been the case if we were just shown the door.