What to Wear to a Winery
There is something rather lovely about spending a day at a winery. Whether you're visiting a vineyard close to home, exploring European wine country or planning a trip somewhere further afield, such as Napa Valley, it creates a slightly different dressing opportunity from an ordinary lunch or evening out.
You want to look stylish and put-together, but probably not particularly formal. At the same time, a winery visit can involve considerably more walking and standing than you might expect, often across gravel, grass or uneven ground. Add changing weather, perhaps a tour of the vineyard and, of course, the wine tasting itself, and finding the right balance between fashion and practicality takes a little thought.
At Covet, we'd approach winery dressing in much the same way we approach most occasions: start with clothes that make you feel comfortable and then add a few thoughtful details. A beautiful dress, relaxed tailoring, linen separates or a long skirt can all work wonderfully. The aim is to create something that feels effortless, suits the setting and remains comfortable enough for you to enjoy the entire day.
What to Wear to a Winery
The best winery outfits tend to sit somewhere between casual and dressed-up. Think smart casual rather than occasion wear: feminine dresses, flowing skirts, relaxed trousers, beautiful blouses and lightweight jackets all feel at home in a vineyard setting.
Natural and breathable fabrics are particularly useful during warmer months. Linen, cotton and lightweight viscose will keep you comfortable while still looking polished. In cooler weather, fine knitwear, denim jackets and softly tailored layers make it easy to adapt your outfit throughout the day.
Colour can also help set the mood. Soft prints, earthy shades and neutral colors work beautifully against the natural landscape, although there's absolutely no rule saying you can't wear something brighter. Florals are particularly lovely for spring and summer – our guide on how to style floral dresses has plenty of additional ideas.
Above all, don't worry about trying to look as though you're dressed for a fashion shoot in Napa Valley. The best outfit is one that allows you to forget about your clothes once you're there and concentrate on enjoying wine, the surroundings and the people you're with.
Relaxed tailoring, comfortable footwear and natural fabrics create an easy winery outfit that still feels polished.
What To Expect At A Winery
Every winery is different, but a typical visit might combine a vineyard tour, time in the winery or tasting room, a guided wine tasting and perhaps lunch or a sharing platter afterwards. Some experiences are fairly intimate and structured, while others encourage you to wander around the grounds and enjoy the scenery.
That makes practicality important. You may be walking between vines, standing during a tour or moving between indoor and outdoor spaces. Check what your particular wine tasting experience includes before deciding what to wear.
If you're driving, planning ahead is even more important. Choose a designated driver who isn't drinking, arrange a taxi or use a car service where available. It's much nicer knowing everyone can enjoy the day safely without having to make those decisions once the wineries tasting begins.
A couple of other wine tasting tips are worth remembering. Try not to arrive on an empty stomach, particularly if you'll be sampling several wines, and consider avoiding very strong perfume or cologne. Scent plays an important part in tasting wine, so a powerful fragrance can interfere with both your own experience and that of people around you.
And if you're worried about spilling red wine on your outfit, darker colours and prints are certainly forgiving – although we'd never suggest choosing your entire wardrobe around the possibility of an accident!
What Do You Wear To A Winery
Clothes To Wear To A Winery
Relaxed Trousers
Wide-leg or softly tailored trousers are one of our favourite choices for a winery. They're comfortable enough for walking around but can look wonderfully polished with a tucked blouse, linen shirt or lightweight knit.
Finish with loafers, trainers or flat sandals and a cross-body bag for an outfit that works from the vineyard tour through to lunch.
A Long Skirt
A flowing midi or maxi skirt feels particularly at home in a vineyard. Pair it with a simple T-shirt or fitted knit to balance the volume, then add comfortable sandals or trainers.
If you already have a longer skirt in your wardrobe, our guide on how to style long skirts has more ideas for making it work in different settings.
Linen Separates
Linen trousers with a lightweight shirt or sleeveless top are perfect for a warm-weather visit. The natural texture feels appropriately relaxed for wine country while still looking considered.
Jeans and a Beautiful Top
Not every winery requires a dress or flowing trousers. Jeans can work perfectly well, particularly for an informal vineyard or tasting room. Choose a flattering straight or wide-leg pair and add a pretty blouse, good-quality T-shirt or fine knit.
Relaxed trousers and a lightweight top are comfortable enough for exploring while still feeling special enough for wine tasting.
Dresses To Wear To A Winery
The Midi Dress
A midi dress is probably the easiest all-round option. It feels feminine without being overly formal, and the length is practical when you're walking outdoors. Florals, subtle prints and block colours can all work beautifully.
The Maxi Dress
A flowing maxi dress can look wonderful against a vineyard backdrop, particularly during summer. Just pay attention to length: you don't want the hem trailing across damp grass or dusty paths.
Add a denim jacket if you need an extra layer. You can find more inspiration in our guide on how to wear a jean jacket.
The Shirt Dress
A shirt dress strikes a lovely balance between relaxed and smart. Wear it with leather sandals during summer or ankle boots and a lightweight jacket as the weather cools.
A midi dress is one of the easiest winery outfits – feminine, comfortable and easy to adapt to the weather.
Shoes To Wear To A Winery
Flat Sandals
Flat sandals are ideal for a warm summer visit, particularly if they're supportive enough for walking. Leather styles tend to feel slightly smarter while remaining comfortable.
Trainers
Clean, understated trainers are an excellent option for more relaxed winery visits. They're especially useful if you know the day will involve a proper vineyard tour.
Loafers
Loafers work beautifully with tailored trousers, jeans and midi skirts and offer a slightly smarter alternative to trainers without sacrificing comfort.
Ankle Boots
For autumn and cooler-weather visits, ankle boots are difficult to beat. Wear them with jeans, flowing dresses or longer skirts and add a knit or jacket.
We'd generally avoid very fine heels unless you know you'll remain indoors. Grass, gravel and stilettos rarely make a particularly successful combination.
6 Winery Outfits
1. Floral Midi Dress + Flat Sandals + Cross-Body Bag
This is perhaps the quintessential summer winery outfit. A floral midi feels special without being overly dressy, while flat sandals make walking around the vineyard considerably easier. Finish with a small cross-body bag and simple jewellery.
A floral midi, flat sandals and a cross-body bag make an easy summer winery combination.
2. Linen Trousers + Sleeveless Top + Leather Sandals
For particularly warm weather, relaxed linen trousers and a simple sleeveless top are hard to beat. Add leather sandals, sunglasses and perhaps a wide brimmed hat for extra shade.
This combination feels relaxed enough for an informal vineyard while still looking polished when you move inside for lunch or a tasting.
3. Wide-Leg Jeans + Blouse + Loafers
For a more casual winery visit, try wide-leg jeans with a soft blouse and loafers. Add a leather bag and understated jewellery and you have an outfit that feels put together without looking as though you've tried too hard.
4. Long Skirt + Fine Knit + Trainers
This is a particularly useful formula for spring or early autumn. A flowing skirt brings movement while a fine knit adds warmth, and comfortable trainers make exploring the grounds easy.
5. Maxi Dress + Denim Jacket + Trainers
A maxi dress doesn't have to be reserved for summer. Add a denim jacket and trainers and it becomes a lovely option for a cooler day in wine country.
Keep the accessories relatively simple and let the dress provide the interest. A small shoulder or cross-body bag completes the look.
A long skirt, denim jacket and comfortable trainers make a lovely transitional-season vineyard outfit.
6. Tailored Trousers + T-Shirt + Blazer
If your wine tasting experience is at a smarter estate or includes a restaurant lunch, relaxed tailoring is an excellent choice. Pair softly tailored trousers with a simple T-shirt and blazer, then add loafers or elegant flats.
Neutral colors work particularly well for this look, although a colourful jacket or scarf can add personality if you prefer something brighter.
What About Hats and Accessories?
A hat can be both stylish and practical if you'll be outside for much of the day. A brimmed hat provides useful shade, while a wide brimmed hat can become a real feature of a simple summer outfit. Just make sure it's comfortable and secure enough if the weather is breezy.
Sunglasses are another obvious addition, along with a cross-body or shoulder bag that leaves your hands free. We'd keep jewellery relatively uncomplicated – a layered necklace, simple earrings or a few bracelets are often enough.
A lightweight scarf can also be surprisingly useful, particularly if you're moving between a warm vineyard and an air-conditioned tasting room.
A Few Final Wine Tasting Tips
The best winery outfit is one you don't have to think about once the day begins. Check the weather, consider how much walking you'll be doing and choose footwear accordingly. Bring an extra layer if you'll be staying into the evening, and remember that comfort matters just as much as appearance.
On the practical side, eat before drinking rather than arriving on an empty stomach, drink water throughout the day and make your transport arrangements in advance. If you're travelling between several wineries, a designated driver, taxi or car service allows everyone else to enjoy the experience without worrying about getting home.
And while beautiful clothes can add to the occasion, enjoying wine doesn't require an elaborate dress code. Whether you're visiting a local English vineyard or spending a day exploring Napa Valley, the same principle applies: dress for the setting, the weather and yourself.
Final Thoughts: What to Wear to a Winery
A winery visit is one of those occasions where relaxed dressing often looks best. Flowing dresses, linen trousers, long skirts, good denim and softly tailored pieces all sit naturally within the surroundings and can be styled differently depending on the season.
Rather than buying an outfit specifically for the occasion, we'd always start by looking at pieces you already love wearing. Change the shoes, add a beautiful bag or introduce a lightweight jacket and an everyday outfit can suddenly feel just right for a day among the vines.
Ultimately, knowing what to wear to a winery is less about following rules and more about finding that sweet spot between comfort and style. Choose something that lets you walk, sit, eat, explore and enjoy the wine without fuss – and then get on with enjoying the day.