Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
do you tip the server at wineries?
We recently went to a local winery where there was free tastings & tours. I noticed another customer leaving a tip on the counter & I was wondering if this is an accepted procedure & what the customary amount?
Answer From Expert Becky Sue Epstein
You are not required to tip the server.
If you have a really great experience, you could try and offer a tip, though there is often no easy way to do this at tasting bars.
About The Expert
Becky Sue Epstein is an experienced lifestyle writer and editor, concentrating on wine and spirits. For the past twenty years she has provided food, wine and spirits coverage for local, regional, and national publications including Art & Antiques, Food &
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Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
In my view, the tasting room of a winery is very different from a restaurant. The staff are employees of the winery, and their duty is to promote the winery's products in one way or another. It is not customary to tip under such circumstances, and some wineries may in fact discourage tipping, as it might make all visitors feel they should tip. That could detract from the fundamental purpose. I suppose, however, that you could always give a discreet tip to a particularly helpful and courteous server, if so inclined.
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
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