Tasting room

A tasting room is a part of a winery, typically located on the premises of the winery's production facilities, at which guests may sample the winery's products. Originally an informal public relations outreach effort of wineries to encourage visitors and build brand awareness and loyalty by dispensing free wine, tasting rooms have increasingly become sophisticated profit centers of winery operations, earning money by charging tasting fees, selling wine directly to consumers, signing new members to the winery's wine club, hosting weddings and other public and private events, and selling various wine and gift-related goods.

Description

A typical tasting room is operated by a winery located in a rural vineyard, where most of the production, bottling, marketing, and distribution takes place. It is usually separated from the main production facilities, either in a room by itself or a separate building, with a designated parking area and landscaped gardens or grounds, often with picnic areas for guests. They are typically open during abbreviated midday business hours, several days per week.