Gold Coast Family Car Rentals CEO Darryl Essington-Wilson says that while undertaking a self-drive winery tour is feasible, drivers should be cautious about exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit
Exercise Caution When Undertaking a Self-Drive Winery Tour says Car Rental CEO
Gold Coast Family Car Rentals CEO Darryl Essington-Wilson says that while undertaking a self-drive winery tour is feasible, drivers should be cautious about exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit.
With the major annual holiday period approaching, many people are planning their trip to the Gold Coast. Apart from sun and surf, it offers fabulous shopping opportunities and spectacular day drives. And while you’re out and about, you might want to do a little shopping at one or more of the Gold Coast’s wineries. Since tasting is part of the winery experience, you’ll be eager to do that too. But what if you’re the driver?
Darryl explains that winery tours are feasible, even if you are the one behind the wheel, but warns against exceeding the legal limit. Although many guidelines say a glass of wine won’t get you into trouble, there’s no effective rule of thumb. How alcohol affects us depends on a great many things including our weight and metabolism. Wines differ too, with some having a higher alcohol content than others.
“It’s not worth hazarding your reputation on a guideline that might not apply to you,” he says, “and if there’s an accident, even one you didn’t cause, being over the limit makes you responsible for damages. Nevertheless, I do recommend winery tours. I just don’t recommend putting yourself at risk.”
The simplest approach is to use a designated driver for the occasion, if you are renting a car, you will need to ensure that the designated driver is authorised to drive the rental car. “Some rental companies charge additional fees for multiple drivers, but Gold Coast Family Car Rentals, are happy to authorise additional drivers at no extra cost,” Darryl added.
An excellent alternative strategy, says Darryl, is to use the time-honoured taste and spit wine-tasting technique. It’s the method used by wine connoisseurs for hundreds of years, and it isn’t bad manners. There are even etiquette guides to elegant wine-spitting if you take the time to look for them.
You can also monitor your own blood alcohol count. Some wineries offer a breathalyser service, but since not all of them do, it could be wise to buy a few disposable breathalysers from a local pharmacy. However, Darryl warns that disposables, and even a more advanced breathalyser, might not agree with the results you’ll get after a police-administered breath test.
The most luxurious option could be the one for you if spitting out your wine isn’t something you can face with equanimity. Some wineries, like the popular O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley estate also offer accommodation. It’s an enviable choice if you can secure a booking, says Darryl, and although Surfers Paradise might live up to its name, a trip to a winery will help to add variety to your holiday.
Another risk factor with wineries on the Gold Coast is their concentration at Mt Tamborine, a favourite visitor destination in the Hinterland behind the Gold Coast. Very steep hills in this area, make it even more imperative that you always have your full wits about you if you are driving.
“I think my most important message is simply that you should never drink and drive. If you use guidelines or cheap breathalysers, it’s still a risk. Things like jetlag and dehydration can cause alcohol to concentrate in your system much faster, so even if you think you know your limit, it can change,” says Darryl.
“We want you to return home with nothing but good memories of your trip. So, do the wineries tour. I recommend it. But be safe rather than sorry.”
If you are looking for a car rental in the Gold Coast area, particularly from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise, and including the Gold Coast Airport, visit Darryl’s website Cheap Car Hire Gold Coast and Gold Coast Airport Car Rental to get an online quote or book online.
Written & Syndicated by Baxton Media.
