Education Events
“Wine is three things: the story, the place and then the wine. If you take away the first two, you are left with just a beverage and only one third of the meaning.”
- Joey C. -
In keeping Joey’s quote (and our basic philosophy), our classes are designed to be interactive, informal, and FUN - as well as informative. We like to say that “every wine has a story,” meaning that you can derive more enjoyment from a wine if you know the “story” behind it. For instance, what grape(s) are in it? Where did it come from? Who made it? How was it made? In our classes, we’ll not only share the stories of the wines, we’ll encourage participants to share their impressions of the wines, producers and regions we’ll be exploring as well as any other wine experiences or stories they may want to share - because that is what true “wine appreciation” is all about - sharing. Put simply, we’ll leave behind the intimidation and pomposity that sometimes accompanies wine consumption and just focus on enjoying the wines and each others’ company.
“Discovery” Series
This might be referred to as “Introductory Level” classes in normal nomenclature, but if you know us, you know that we like to do things a little differently and, hopefully, more creatively…If we’re talking about “telling a Story” here, Discovery classes would be akin to the “Cliff Notes Version” of the material. Designed for folks who just want a general idea of things without getting overwhelmed with the minutia, in these classes we’ll “peruse” or focus on introductory subject matter and skill development. These classes are great for beginners and for those of you who want to take a “refresher” course to hone your skills. Examples of future “Discovery” classes are: Beginning Wine Appreciation, Component Tasting, and Food & Wine Pairing 101.
“Explorer” Series
Otherwise known as “Intermediate Level” classes, Explorer classes provide the “Abridged Version” of the Story. Here we’ll cover subject matter in more depth - but not as much as if we were writing a dissertation on the subject. We’ll do things like conduct an overview of wines from a particular country or region (like Italy, France or Napa) or an overview of certain categories of wine (like sparkling wines or dessert wines). Though beginners are always welcome, having some knowledge of basic wine terminology and tasting techniques will allow attendees to receive maximum enjoyment from these more “advanced” topics. Some examples of Explorer classes are: Exploring Sparkling Wines, Exploring Dessert Wines, and Exploring Argentina.
“Immersion” Series
These “Advanced Level” classes provide the “Unabridged Version” of the Story – an even more focused, in-depth coverage of specific topics. More than just a cursory overview, in these classes we’ll “immerse” ourselves (aka “to submerge in liquid” or “become deeply involved”) in the subject matter and take the time to research each topic to the fullest extent. These classes may take from 1 to 4 sessions, depending on the breadth of the material covered, and are just the ticket for those of you who really want to become “experts” on certain subjects. Some examples of classes that are tentatively scheduled in this series are: Immersion: Italy (a three session class): Northern Italy, Central Italy, and Southern Italy.
“Grape Gone Wild” Series
This is an independent series of classes that will focus on tracking individual grape varietals (i.e., Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, etc.) in their natural habitats within various viticultural regions around the globe. We’ll explore the similarities and differences in the terroir, winemaking practices, philosophies, and styles of various wines to uncover the “True Story” behind them. For example, we’ll take a look at “typical” Cabernets from Napa, France, Australia, Chile, Italy, and see how they compare with each other. These classes are a great way to really get familiar with your favorite grapes and the myriad of versions in which they come.