Do you get drunk on wine tours?
Will I Get Drunk on a Kelowna Wine Tour?
A Red Dog wine tour is designed for tasting and enjoying wine, not for drinking large amounts of alcohol. The tastings are served in small portions, and you are never expected to finish every wine that is poured.
Everyone reacts to alcohol differently, so we cannot guarantee how any individual will feel during or after a wine tour. Your body size, whether you have eaten, medications, alcohol tolerance and how much you actually drink can all affect how alcohol affects you.
What Are the Tastings Like?
Our public afternoon tours visit four wineries. At each winery, you will normally be offered several small tasting samples. The purpose is to let you experience the wines and learn about them rather than consume a full glass of every wine available.
- Small tasting portions — Wine tastings use much smaller pours than a typical glass of wine.
- You don’t have to finish every pour — If you don’t want to drink a particular wine, you can leave it, use the spittoon where available, or simply ask for less.
- Four winery visits — Our public tours visit four wineries rather than trying to fit a large number of stops into the afternoon.
- Food and water — We provide bottled water and a light snack, and we recommend eating lunch before your afternoon tour.
- No driving required — Your Red Dog guide handles the transportation between the wineries and back to your accommodation.
For more information about the tasting experience, see How Many Tastings Are Included on a Red Dog Wine Tour?.
How Much Time Do You Spend at Each Winery?
Our standard public afternoon tour generally allows about an hour at each winery. This gives guests time to enjoy the tasting, listen to the presentation, ask questions and browse or purchase wine without feeling rushed.
Allowing enough time at each stop is part of what makes the tour a relaxed experience. We visit four wineries rather than trying to fit as many tasting rooms as possible into one afternoon.
Learn more about the timing in How Much Time Do You Need at a Winery?.
What If I Don’t Want to Drink Every Wine?
That’s completely fine. Wine tasting is about discovering what you enjoy. You can taste a wine and decide that it isn’t for you, take only a small sip, or use the spittoon where one is provided. There is no requirement to finish every sample.
If you are particularly sensitive to alcohol or don’t normally drink much wine, simply let your guide know. Taking your time, drinking water, eating before the tour and not feeling obligated to finish every sample can help you enjoy the experience comfortably.
Why Does Red Dog Visit Four Wineries?
The number of wineries is part of the overall pace of the tour. Four wineries provide variety while still allowing enough time to enjoy each tasting experience. Trying to visit five or six wineries in the same afternoon can mean shorter tastings, more driving and a much more rushed experience.
You can read more about our four-stop format in How Many Wineries Will You Visit on a Wine Tour?.
Enjoy the Wine Tour Responsibly
The goal of a Red Dog wine tour is to enjoy the wineries, scenery, wine and stories of the Okanagan—not to see how much alcohol you can consume. Take your time, drink water, eat before the tour and only consume as much as you are comfortable with.
If you feel the effects of alcohol, stop drinking. Your guide is there to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable tour, but each guest is responsible for deciding how much alcohol they consume.
What Can You Expect on a Kelowna Wine Tour?
If you’re wondering what the overall experience is like, our guide What to Expect on a Wine Tour in Kelowna explains what happens during the day, including transportation, winery visits, tastings and the relaxed pace of a Red Dog tour.
You can also read our Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting in Kelowna, British Columbia for a broader look at what to expect when visiting Kelowna wine country.
People also asked: Are Kelowna Wineries Open for Tasting?