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Usually about six people is the cutoff for a walk-in tasting otherwise it's via reservation or not allowed at all (because of space considerations). Coming in with 12 and saying we'll only have six tastings isn't okay either as you're taking up a lot of real estate in the tasting room.
Coming in with underage people
Not meaning kids (we'll cover that later), but someone a bit under the legal drinking age thinking they can get away with something. You are putting the server's job at risk along with a possible fine. Don't be that person.
Coming in without a gov't-issued ID
It's surprising that people actually do this. And I mean people in their 20s who will get asked for their ID. No ID, no wine. Even if your mom is with you and swears that you are 24. No one has a right to a drink and the server isn't going to risk getting fined.
Coming in drunk
It's against the law to serve or sell to anyone appearing intoxicated. It's that simple.
It's just fine to spit instead of swallow. It's okay to share tastings or not finish a tasting. If someone in your group is getting over the line then you should tell them to watch it before a tasting room host has to cut them, and maybe your whole group, off.
Coming in just before closing
A proper tasting takes a half-hour, give-or-take. Showing up two minutes before closing means you may not get a full tasting. Maybe you'll get one wine, maybe not. Don't get mad at the winery workers because you showed up too late. Many tasting rooms actually state something like, "Close at 5 pm, last tasting at 4:45."
Free tastings
Wine club members, folks with tasting coupons, and some wine industry folks get free tastings. It's a great benefit. If you fit that category please don't hog the bar or the servers time if they have other guests. Don't leave empty handed, buy something if you're not paying to taste.
Bringing children
Generally, open to the public tasting rooms are fine with kids. If you are making an appointment then probably not. Honestly, there is nothing for kids to do, but be bored and bugging you. There's often stuff they can break. It might even be dangerous especially if the tasting is in the wine production area.
Bringing pets
Some are okay with dogs, most aren't. If you have a trained service animal that's fine, of course. If you are trying to pass your barking poodle off as a service animal that is not okay.
Be polite
Be nice to the employees and other guests. Don't do or say anything that will make others uncomfortable, right? Just common sense. Doesn't mean you can't express opinions about whatever wine you're trying. It's just fine to say, "Don't care for this zinfandel. I like 'em real fruity." It's not okay to exclaim to everybody, "Chardonnay sucks!" It's the golden rule; treat others as you'd like to be treated. And for God's sake put the phone down when the staff is talking to you!
If it's busy
If the room is really busy just relax and wait your turn. Remember there are other guests. Yes, I have read Yelp reviews of people complaining of crappy service when they visited Napa Valley on Memorial Day weekend! If a tasting room is three people deep at the bar maybe you should just move on to somewhere else.
If the bar is crowded and you come in with four people don't take four spots at the bar (two at the bar and two behind works fine). Leave room for others.
Relax
It's just wine! Enjoy yourself.
Words to remember
It's not a bar. It's sampling to find out what you like.
Think of it as you are going to a restaurant as the rules are similar. You wouldn't bring a large group unannounced, bring your pet bird, or let your kids scream (I hope). You have no "right" to a drink so keep it fun and everybody will have a good time. See you this summer!
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