Southampton - We've had gorgeous weather for what seems like months on end and when I'm not out of town my family and I have been visiting wineries on the North Fork just about every weekend. Tasting is different for us now that we have a toddler - we always designate a driver and in addition to our picnic lunch, we can often be seen with a bag filled with sports equipment to keep the little guy entertained while one of us drinks and the other tastes and spits.

Ninety-Nine percent of these visits are great, great wines, great friends and great people at the wineries. But at least once a year, we see something happen at a winery that not only annoys us - it unsettles us.

Wine obviously contains alcohol and we all know that how people handle their alcohol varies from person to person, but that doesn't excuse some of the things we see. I'm not going to recount these negative experiences though. Instead I'd like to focus on what you can, and should, do to make sure that everyone - you, fellow guests and the wineries themselves - all have a good time when you hit the wine trail.

Tasting rooms are not bars, or lounges or clubs, and you shouldn't act like you are at one. There are rules - unwritten and written - that every visitor should adhere too. It will make the experience more fun for you, your fellow customers and for the wineries. And the fact is, the wineries want you to have fun. But they also want you to be safe.

Wine is best enjoyed with friends.

Designate a Driver. This might seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning again. The tastes you'll be poured by most wineries are small, only an ounce or two, but they can add up over the course of a day. Make sure that you choose your designated driver before you arrive at the first winery. Don't assume that "someone will be sober enough to drive" at the end of the day. Nothing ruins a great day at the wineries like a DWI arrest, or worse.

If you don't want to designate a driver, hire one of the limo or bus companies to drive you around. One of my favorites is Vintage Tours at 631-765-4689.

Don't Try to Visit Every Winery. I get it. You're excited about your wine country jaunt and want to pack as much in as possible, but again those little pours add up.

Pick three or four wineries that you want to visit and take your time at each. Wine tasting is about more than just the wine. Enjoy your friends, the setting and the conversation. Rushing because you want to visit every winery in one day (it isn't possible by the way) takes away from the experience.

Have a picnic lunch next to the vineyard.

Bring a Picnic Lunch. There are great restaurants on both Forks, but one of the things I enjoy most about a winery afternoon is having a picnic lunch next to the vineyard. Many wineries have beautiful patios or decks where you can spread out and have a great lunch. Remember though that if you're going to drink wine with lunch, make sure it's from the winery hosting you. In most cases, they'll even lend you glasses.

It's rude to drink wine from another winery on someone else's property. My favorite place to pick up a picnic lunch is The Village Cheese Shop (631-298-8556) on Love Lane in Mattituck - the best cheese shop around.

Don't Wear Perfume or Cologne. Admittedly, I'm a wine geek and this might just be a pet peeve of mine (and every other wine geek out there), but if I'm tasting wine, I want to be able to smell the wine - not the cologne the guy next to me has drowned himself in. You've met that guy. I know you have.

Hopefully you're not that guy. Just be considerate.

Remember It's Not a Bar. I've already said this, but it is worth repeating. Some wineries may seem like bars, with people packed shoulder-to-shoulder, three or more deep at the tasting bar, but they aren't. Be respectful of those pouring wine for you and don't ask to be "filled up" when you're tasting.

If you want to drink to get drunk, head to your local watering hole with your designated driver in tow.

Bring Friends and Have Fun. I have a great time in wine country no matter who I'm with, but wine is best enjoyed with friends. Many of my best memories of the wineries and of my friends combine the two together. Get a group together and have a great time (with that designated driver, of course.) But remember that you aren't the only people out there. Try not to be too loud or draw too much attention to yourselves. It ruins the atmosphere for everyone else.

Buy a Bottle to Take Home...If There's One You Like. Some people say you absolutely must buy at least one bottle of wine at each winery you. That's ridiculous. It's your money and you should never feel pressured to spend it on wine you don't like. Of course, if there's a wine you really love, why wouldn't you want to take some home?