5 Things I Always Bring to a Winery

A Winery Day Done Right Starts Before You Leave the House. Let's talk about what to bring to a winery.

There’s something about a winery day that feels different from other outings. It’s slower. More intentional. You’re not rushing through anything. You’re settling in, looking out at the vineyard, and actually giving yourself permission to be present for a few hours.

But after enough winery visits, I’ve learned that a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Not in an overpacked, bring-everything kind of way. More like knowing the handful of small things that make the whole experience feel effortless once you get there.

When I’m comfortable, I stay longer. When I stay longer, I actually enjoy it. That’s the whole point.

If you’ve ever wondered what to bring to a winery for a more relaxed experience, these are the essentials I keep reaching for again and again. Here are the five things I almost always bring with me. Nothing complicated, nothing heavy. Just the essentials that make a winery day feel like exactly what it’s supposed to be.

1. Sunglasses

This one sounds obvious until you forget them and spend half your tasting squinting into the afternoon sun.

Most wineries have outdoor patios, vineyard views, and open seating that puts you right in the middle of the scenery, which is beautiful and also very bright. A good pair of sunglasses is one of those things that quietly makes everything more enjoyable. You’re more relaxed, more comfortable, and honestly, you just feel put together.

I always try to match mine to whatever I’m wearing that day. It’s a small detail, but it goes a long way when you’re out somewhere scenic and want to feel like you actually dressed for it.

Currently loving a classic pair that works for everything, linked in Sip Ensembles.

2. A Light Layer or Portable Fan

Virginia wineries especially will teach you this lesson fast.

You can walk out the door in warm sunshine and find yourself on a shaded patio an hour later wondering where the temperature went. Outdoor seating is wonderful right up until there’s a breeze, or the sun shifts, or you’re staying later into the evening than you planned.

I usually throw a lightweight cardigan or a linen layer in my bag before I leave. It takes up almost no space and has saved me from cutting a winery day short more times than I can count. If it’s the height of summer and heat is the concern, a small portable fan works just as well and fits right in your bag.

Comfort really does change how long you want to stay and how much you actually enjoy being there.

 3. A Wine Tote or Crossbody Bag

A winery is not the place for a big, heavy bag. Trust me on this one.

You want something that keeps your hands free, holds the essentials, and doesn’t weigh you down when you’re walking through the vineyard or moving between the tasting room and the patio. A crossbody bag is my go-to. Small enough to feel easy, big enough to carry your phone, a card, lip balm, and anything else you actually need.

A wine tote is also such a fun addition if you end up buying a bottle (or two) to take home. It makes the whole thing feel a little more intentional, and they’re usually easy to fold up and tuck away until you need them.

A few of my favorite picks are linked in Sip Ensembles.

 4. A Picnic Blanket or Portable Seating

This one is especially for the wineries with wide open lawns, hillside views, or summer concert series.

Some of the best winery experiences I’ve had weren’t at a table at all. They were on a blanket in the grass, glass in hand, watching the vineyard, with no real reason to move anytime soon. A lightweight, foldable picnic blanket is easy to carry and completely changes what’s possible once you arrive.

A lot of Virginia wineries have beautiful outdoor spaces that are made for exactly this. Having your own blanket means you can set up wherever the view is best, spread out, and settle in for the kind of afternoon that actually feels like a break.

It’s a small thing that fits right into a tote bag and makes a big difference.

5. Electrolytes and Water

Okay, this one might be the most practical item on the list, and I genuinely think it’s one of the most important.

Wine is wonderful. It’s also dehydrating, especially when you’re outside in the sun for a few hours. I started bringing a small water bottle and a few electrolyte packets a while back, and it completely changed how I felt during and after a winery visit. Less foggy. More present. Actually able to enjoy the last glass as much as the first one.

Staying hydrated isn’t a buzzkill. It’s what lets you slow down and stay in the moment longer without hitting a wall halfway through the afternoon.

It’s a small habit that makes the whole experience feel better from start to finish.

Build Your Own Winery Day Essentials

Looking for curated winery-ready finds? Explore Sip Essentials and Sip Ensembles for accessories, hosting pieces, and relaxed winery style inspiration.

One Thing I Don’t Bring Anymore

Uncomfortable shoes.

I learned this one the hard way after trying to look put together in sandals that were not made for walking across gravel, grass, and uneven vineyard paths. Now I reach for something stylish and actually comfortable before I leave the house. Cute and practical is always the move for a winery day.

Also on the retired list: oversized bags, complicated outfits that need constant adjusting, and anything that makes me feel like I have to keep track of too much. The whole point is to feel relaxed the moment I walk in.

The Part That Actually Matters

The best winery days are the ones where you can settle in, relax, and stay present long enough to enjoy the moment fully. The right essentials just make it easier to get there and to stay there a little longer than you planned.

That’s what all of this is really for.

Have a winery essential I didn’t mention? Drop it below. I’d love to hear what’s always in your bag.