Winery Tours and Wine Tasting for the Non-Drinker

Wine tasting events and winery tours can be a nice way to spend your time, but what about if you are a non-drinker? I can relate. While my husband likes an occasional glass of wine, I don't drink alcohol. In our home we have non-alcoholic wine as a happy medium. But what if we were invited to a wine tasting event or a winery tour?

Here are a few ideas for those like myself who don't drink, but don't want to miss out on what could be a lovely event or trip:

Taste, but don't drink. Many wineries provide spit buckets for those that want to taste, but not drink. You could actually become a good taster even if you don't drink.

Drink alternative beverages. Some wineries wine tasting events provide alternate beverages for non-drinkers. Biltmore House in North Carolina offers apple juice in addition to wine.

Visit wineries with food tasting. If you enjoy food you can focus on trying new dishes. Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts in Napa Valley offer wine and food tasting.

Visit wineries with art galleries and other features. While others are tasting wines you can indulge in a little art. There are a few wineries with art galleries including The Hess Collection and Turnball Wine Cellars both in the Napa Valley. There is also Imagery Estate Winery in Sonoma Valley. Copia also has art exhibitions and organic gardens.

Enjoy the scenery. Vineyards can be breathtaking. An example is the Sterling Vineyards which overlook the Napa Valley. You can take time looking at the beautiful landscape.

Take in the architecture. There are a number of architecturally beautiful wineries. Artesa Winery in the Carneros Region is an architecturally striking building. There is also a small museum on the local history.

Focus on the history and wine making process. This can be a good learning opportunity to learn more about this segment of life that interests so many. If your friends have an interest in wine, you can dazzle them with your knowledge. Like other wineries Pindar Winery on Long Island, New York details its wine making process.