California Wine Appellation Specialist Classes

Extending along the Santa Cruz mountain range from the sea side town of Aptos to the Skyline Trail above Woodside, the magnificent wineries and vineyards within these important appellations should not be underestimated. Virtually travel across the bay to the wind swept landscape that is home to over 4,000 wind turbines. And finally continue east along the Delta, stopping just shy of the Sierra.
Learn about the first elevation based AVA, the source of most California Chardonnay vines and places in between. The Santa Cruz, SF Bay and Delta course will add to your knowledge base and help you gain perspective on one of the most unique and natural environments in the world. Terrain, microclimates, marine influences, breathtaking ocean views, and soils in these regions produce some the best and distinctive conditions for winegrowing. Taking advantage of the cool coastal climates, well-known wines include Burgundian varietals, Pinot noir and Chardonnay. As we travel further and further from the cooling influence of the Pacific, the wines transition to bigger and bolder wines, including old vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The course includes a guided tasting of 6-8 wines from the region. While you are highly encouraged to register for the entire program, you may also choose to register for this as a single class as well.

Classes are held on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm every session. Classes may be purchased individually, or discounts apply if you sign up for the entire series.

Attendees at all of our events must be at least 21 years of age.

Look for the credit card button on the paypal page that follows.

Course Details

Monterey Wine Country is a home to 80+ wineries and 90+ grape growers. Influenced by the cooling of the ocean and deep marine canyon, Big Sur’s rugged and distinct coastline, the quaint village of Carmel, and Pebble Beach golf courses, the Monterey and San Benito wine regions are a must for any avid wine student! In this course, you will learn about Monterey’s Thermal Rainbow, the Santa Lucia Highlands, up and coming Monterey AVAs and the Gabilan Mountains as we climb from Monterey’s coast to San Benito. Learn about the cooler and warmer meso-climates of Monterey, what causes them and how the wines change. Learn about the divisions and overlaps between San Benito and Monterey and the best wines from both counties. The course includes a guided tasting of 6-8 wines from the region. SLH Pinot Noir is a must as are the wines of Mt. Harlan, Chalone and Arroyo Seco. Classic producers face off against lesser known wineries and styles. While you are highly encouraged to register for the entire program, you may also choose to register for this as a single class as well.

Classes are held on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm every session. Classes may be purchased individually, or discounts apply if you sign up for the entire series.

Attendees at all of our events must be at least 21 years of age.

Look for the credit card button on the paypal page that follows.

Course Details

Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the wine regions of Paso Robles & the Rest of San Luis Obispo are essential to your professional knowledge and wine education. Paso Robles is by far the fastest growing region in California, gaining attention for their Zinfandels, Rhone style wines and more. The Paso Robles wine region climate is perfect for the production of award winning premium wines. Learn the fundamentals including: primary grapes, climate, the 11 proposed AVAs within Paso Robles. Discuss whether these pending nested AVAs make sense in the largest undivided AVA in the state. Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande’s long warm days and cool evenings enhance the unique flavor of their wines. Learn about the 2 sides of San Luis Obispo and why SLO is Hot and SLO is Cool! The course includes a guided tasting of 6-8 wines from the region. Taste Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the coast and Cabernet, Syrah and Zinfandel from inland, among other wines. While you are highly encouraged to register for the entire program, you may also choose to register for this as a single class as well.

Classes are held on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm every session. Classes may be purchased individually, or discounts apply if you sign up for the entire series.

Attendees at all of our events must be at least 21 years of age.

Look for the credit card button on the paypal page that follows.

Course Details

The Santa Barbara wine region is defined by unique soils and topography, climate, its proximity to the ocean, and its scenic beauty. The last session in the program presents a dynamic overview of this exceptional region that produces of some of the most desired wines of the world. The Sta. Rita Hills is one of the most sought after sources for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California and their Syrah is gaining a following. Happy Canyon is unknown to most consumers but gaining a reputation with winemakers looking for new sources for great grapes.Changes are coming to the AVA landscape here as well. Conclude your knowledge with being able to understand and articulate the importance of the Humboldt Current, the Coriolis Effect, and Transverse Range. Santa Barbara County is much more than Sideways! California’s wine history began in San Diego and there are many AVAs and wineries in and around Los Angeles County and the South Coast AVA that contains them all. Discuss the merits of each of these regions and why we don’t hear more about them. The course includes a guided tasting of 6-8 wines from the region with an emphasis on Santa Barbara Pinot Noir and Syrah. While you are highly encouraged to register for the entire program, you may also choose to register for this as a single class as well.

Classes are held on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm every session. Classes may be purchased individually, or discounts apply if you sign up for the entire series.

Course Details

In this competitive job market, industry credentials are increasingly important. Prove your knowledge of the regions, wines and regulations of California. The California Wine Appellation Specialist™ credential exam consists of challenging multiple-choice, matching & short-answer questions. One hour is allowed for the exam and scores above 80% earn the credential CWAS™. The exam is included in the CWAS series or may be taken on its own.

All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

Look for the credit card button on the PayPal page that follows.

Course Details