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There is no dress code in wine country, but there is an atmosphere. The people at the serious wineries are dressed in a way that suggests they didn’t just roll out of bed, and the atmosphere is more “country weekend with good taste” than “hiking trail.” The goal is to look like you belong at a table with a bottle of wine and a plate of food, not like you’re about to climb a mountain.
This is easy to get wrong in both directions.
The Core Principle
Wine country dressing is about looking put-together without looking like you’re trying. The sweet spot is comfortable, casual, and considered. Think: clean jeans, a good linen shirt, shoes that work on gravel paths and at dinner tables.
Denim: The Foundation
Lucky Brand jeans are a reasonable choice for wine country because they strike a balance between style and durability. The fit should be slim but not tight — you’re going to be sitting in tasting rooms for hours, and skinny jeans will make you miserable. A straight leg or a tapered fit in a dark wash is the most versatile option.
Dark denim is better than light for wine country. Wine stains on light jeans are a real risk and a permanent problem. Dark denim hides the occasional splash, and it looks better at dinner anyway.
Avoid jeans with excessive distressing. A little wear is fine. The “artfully destroyed” aesthetic that works at a music festival reads as slightly off at a serious Burgundy tasting.
The Rest of the Wardrobe
A good linen shirt — or several — is the single most useful thing you can pack for wine country. Linen breathes in hot weather, looks better with each wearing, and pairs with everything. White, light blue, and pale pink are the most versatile colors. Roll the sleeves.
Layering is essential. The morning can be cool, the afternoon hot, and the cellar dark and cold. A lightweight cashmere sweater or a cotton cardigan in your bag will save you in the cellar. A jacket for evening is rarely necessary in summer, but a structured blazer in a neutral color will elevate a dinner outfit without taking much space.
Shoes are the most important practical consideration. Wine country involves walking on uneven gravel, climbing cellar stairs, standing at bars for long tastings, and eating dinner. The shoe that does all of this is a clean, comfortable leather sneaker — nothing too athletic, nothing too dressy. White leather is versatile and forgiving. Avoid open-toed shoes in cellars, which is the one context where wine country has a genuine dress code.
What to Leave at Home
Anything too formal. A suit is out of place at a barrel tasting. Anything too casual — graphic t-shirts, athletic wear, anything with logos — will make you feel underdressed next to everyone else.
Excessive jewelry. Wine country is not the place for it. The setting is rustic and the company tends toward understated.
More than three pairs of shoes. You don’t need them, and they’ll take up room in your bag that you need for wine purchases on the way home.
