What to Wear Wine Tasting This Fall: 6 Outfits for Livermore, Napa Lodi, & Brentwood Wineries
Fall is the best time of year to go wine tasting around Brentwood. The vineyards are golden, harvest is wrapping up, and the afternoons are still warm enough to sit outside with a glass. The only tricky part is figuring out what to wear for wine tasting when it's chilly at 10 a.m. and sunny by 2.
Whether you're heading over the hill to Livermore, making a day of it in Lodi, or staying close to home at one of Brentwood's own wineries, you want an outfit that's comfortable for walking, flattering in photos, and forgiving if a little red wine lands where it shouldn't.
Here are six wine tasting outfits built from pieces on our racks right now, plus the accessories that make a full day of tasting so much easier.
In this post:
What to Wear Wine Tasting: The Quick Rules
-
Go darker or richer. Burgundy, chocolate, olive, navy, and deep denim hide the occasional drip. Save your white jeans for brunch.
-
Plan on layers. Vineyard mornings are cool and afternoons warm up fast. A jacket or cardigan you can take off is your best friend.
-
Wear shoes you can walk in. Many tastings mean gravel paths, grass, and uneven ground between the tasting room and the patio.
-
Skip the strong perfume. Scent changes how wine smells and tastes, for you and the people around you.
-
Keep your hands free. A crossbody or sling bag lets you hold your glass, a cracker, and your phone without juggling.
6 Wine Tasting Outfits for Fall
1. A Crimson Sweater and Dark Wide-Leg Jeans
This is the easiest wine tasting outfit you'll own. The Crimson Scallop Trim Puff Sleeve Sweater ($54) is a rich red that looks right at home in a tasting room, and the scalloped trim makes it feel special without trying too hard.
Pair it with dark wide-leg jeans like the Kut from the Kloth Meg High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($119). Dark denim hides spills and looks polished from the parking lot to the patio. Want more ways to wear them? See our guide on how to style wide-leg jeans for fall.
2. The Wine-Colored Matching Set
If you're doing a full day in Lodi with three or four stops, comfort matters. The Techno Cupro Front Surplus Top in Wine ($58) and matching Techno Cupro Barrel Pants with Side Panel in Wine ($58) feel like loungewear but look pulled together.
Bonus: the color is literally wine, so a little splash won't ruin your day. Add a sling bag and sneakers or flat boots and you're set from the first pour to the last.
3. The Italian Knit Set
A soft knit set always looks expensive. Pair the Milio Milano Italian Knit Sleeveless Mock Neck Top in Dark Mocha ($89) with the Italian Cozy Knit Flared Pants in Dark Mocha ($115) for a head-to-toe look that's comfortable enough to sit in for hours.
Throw a jacket over your shoulders for the cooler morning stops, then take it off when you move out to the patio. The mock neck also comes in Beige and Chocolate.
4. The Two-Tone Midi Dress and Boots
Want to wear a dress wine tasting without freezing or fussing? The Two-Tone A-Line Midi Dress ($89) has a ribbed knit top and a full denim-look skirt, so it reads like a sweater and skirt in one easy piece.
The midi length is practical for patio chairs and breezy hilltops. Add ankle boots and a belt, and you're ready for photos between the vines.
5. A Leopard Jacket for Cool Vineyard Mornings
Morning tastings in Livermore can start out crisp. The Leopard Print Puffer Jacket ($56) is lightweight, warm, and just fun enough to make a basic tee and jeans look like an outfit.
Wear it over a neutral top with the Kut from the Kloth Maya High Rise Fab Ab Wide Leg Jeans ($119), then tie it around your waist or drop it in the car by noon. For more layering ideas, read our guide to [coats and jackets for fall] [add Blog 2 link].
6. Dressed Up for a Tasting Room Dinner
Some wineries host evening tastings, winemaker dinners, and harvest parties. For those nights, the Tiered Faux Suede Midi Dress ($125) is dressy, flattering, and on theme.
Layer the Notched Lapel Coat in Espresso ($64) over it once the sun goes down, and choose a block heel so you're steady on uneven ground.
What Shoes to Wear Wine Tasting
The best wine tasting shoes are the ones you can walk in on gravel and grass. Leave the stilettos at home, since they sink into lawns and wobble on stone paths.
-
Ankle boots with a low block heel: the most versatile fall choice. They work with jeans, dresses, and knit sets.
-
Loafers: polished and comfortable for a day of tasting room hopping.
-
Clean white or neutral sneakers: perfect with matching sets and casual dresses.
-
Flat or low-heel tall boots: great with midi dresses on cooler days.
-
Wedges: a dressier option that won't sink into grass.
Accessories That Make Wine Tasting Easier
A hands-free bag. The Latico Crosby Sling Crossbody in Cognac ($179) holds your phone, card, and lip color, and leaves both hands free for your glass. It also comes in Black, Brown, and Camel.
A packable hat. Outdoor patios can be sunny well into October. The Packable Panama Hat in Beige ($38) folds into your bag when you head inside.
Sunglasses that match the season. Warm brown lenses like the QUAY On the Fly in Dark Brown with Tan Lens ($75) look great with fall colors and cut the afternoon glare.
Where to Go Wine Tasting Near Brentwood
One of the best parts of living in East Contra Costa County is how much wine country is close by.
-
Brentwood: you don't have to go far. Local wineries like Hannah Nicole Vineyards make for an easy afternoon close to home.
-
Livermore Valley: one of California's oldest wine regions, just over the hill with dozens of tasting rooms.
-
Lodi: known for its old-vine Zinfandel and relaxed, friendly tasting rooms, an easy drive for a full-day trip.
Planning a girls' day? Stop by the shop first. We'd love to help you put together the perfect outfit.
Wine Tasting Outfit FAQ
What should I wear wine tasting in the fall? Layers in rich colors, like a sweater or knit set with dark jeans or a midi dress, plus a light jacket and comfortable shoes.
Can you wear jeans wine tasting? Yes. Dark wide-leg or straight jeans with a nice sweater or blouse are perfect for most tasting rooms.
Should you wear white to a winery? You can, but red wine spills show instantly. Darker colors are the stress-free choice.
What shoes should I wear wine tasting? Ankle boots, loafers, clean sneakers, or wedges. Avoid stilettos, which sink into grass and gravel.
What should I bring wine tasting? A crossbody bag, sunglasses, a light layer, water, and a plan for a designated driver.
The Bottom Line
Knowing what to wear wine tasting comes down to three things: rich colors that hide spills, layers for changing temperatures, and shoes you can actually walk in. Get those right and you can enjoy every pour, from Livermore to Lodi to right here in Brentwood.
Stop by ALLUV Place Boutique at 306 Oak Street in Brentwood, or shop our new arrivals online. Free shipping on orders over $150, and new subscribers get 10% off their first purchase.
Alluv the Love,
Randi
