Private Wine Tasting Seminars

Treat your guests to an afternoon or evening of a fun and informative wine seminar and tasting. Enjoy wines from around the world paired with in-depth knowledge presented in a casual and un-intimidating environment. Geared for groups of 10-50, seminars can be held on-site in our Café or Palmer Room or off-site in virtually any setting from dining rooms in private homes to hotel ballrooms.

Seminars are hosted by the Presidio Golf Course and Clubhouse’s Food and Beverage Director Michael Perry. In December 2006, Michael received his Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Michael can speak about wine as well as its relationship with food and dining. Michael’s approach to wine and wine education is keeping in mind that wine is first and foremost a source of enjoyment, especially in a setting with good food and friends. “Wine should always be fun, and the more you know about wine, the better you can appreciate and enjoy wine.”

The seminars last 2 hours with the actual lecture/tasting about 1 ½ hours which leaves time for questions and socializing while finishing the wines.

Generally, 4-5 (2oz pours) wines are served which is equal to about 1 ½ glasses. The selections of wines obviously vary from tasting to tasting, but are usually within the $15-$30 retail price range. Selected wines are examples that best convey the theme of the tasting (i.e., the most true to their varietal). Most of the time, selected wines are readily available in retail stores but at times, when appropriate, they will be more obscure, harder to find wines. For example, the Sojourn to Sonoma seminar would include harder to find wines that would encourage guests to visit the wineries in Sonoma.

The topics listed below can be customized to fit any audience. All seminars are created to appeal to both newcomers to wine appreciation as well as seasoned wine aficionados. There is a balance between providing a good amount of information and creating a fun, relaxed environment that is enjoyable for all.

Pricing:

On-Site:

$250 set up fee

$25 per person (10 person minimum)

Off-Site:

$300 set up fee

$30 per person (10 person minimum)

Set up fee and minimum guest count required 10 days prior to event.

Remainder due at time of event

One point of payment please.

Credit card, check or cash accepted

Pricing includes all wine, glassware, supplies, printed material and content

Wine tasting 101

Learn a system for better appreciating wine

Learn how the pros identify wines in a blind tasting

Taste red and whites from both the new world and old world

Making Wine 101, From Vine to Glass

Learn the ins and outs of winemaking. Learn the process for making both red and white wine; learn the difference between punch down and pump over. Taste examples oak vs. no oak, Terroir and carbonic-maceration.

Aroma/Sensory

Ever wonder how the pros come up with all the different aromas they get out of a wine? Come to this seminar and experience the aroma standards for red and white wines.

It’s an interactive demonstration where you will leave with a greater confidence in identifying a variety of aromas in wine.

California Cabernets

Taste your way through a variety Cabernet Sauvignons from some of California’s best Viticultural Areas, including Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles.

Celebrate Sparkling!

No need for an excuse, drinking sparkling wine is a cause for celebration! Taste Sparklers from around the world, including Cava, Prosecco, American Sparkling and, of course, Champagne.

Summertime Sauvignon Blanc

Beat the heat with a crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Learn why “flint, steel, wet stone, gooseberry and cat pee” can be good things in a wine. Taste examples from the Loire, New Zealand and Sonoma.

Feiern Sie Deutschland! (Usually presented in October, but can be done anytime)

Celebrate German Oktoberfest with one of the world’s greatest wines, German Riesling. Learn how to read a German wine label and taste the spectrum of styles from the bone-dry Kabinett to the super sticky Trockenbeerenauslese.

Pinots from Around the Globe

No Merlots here, just great Pinots from Oregon, California, New Zealand and Burgundy. Taste what they all have in common and what makes each one stand out on its own.

California’s own: Zinfandel

California’s own grape! Taste Zinfandels from the best locals in California and learn why this is the grape of California.

Misunderstood Chardonnay

Taste a variety of Chardonnays from the super oaky/buttery California to the steely/minerally Chablis. Chardonnay isn’t what you might think it is and can be made in a wider variety of profiles than what you thought possible.

Roam the Rhône

Travel from the Northern Rhone and the realm of Syrah to the Southern Rhone and the wonderful blends of Chateuaneuf-de-Pape and Gigondas.

Sojourn into Sonoma

Taste your way through the wonderful Valley AVAs of Sonoma including Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Guaranteed to motivate you to take that short drive north for a long weekend.

Feeling Cheesy

Ever fret over pairing cheese and wine when throwing a dinner party? Learn how to choose the right cheese for the right wine and vice versa. Taste a variety of reds and whites, goats, Bries and blues.

Food and Wine Pairing Made Easy

Come taste examples of pairings that work and some that don’t work to teach you how to help make wine an integral part of every meal.

Wine and Music Pairing

What goes better with Cabernet? Chopin or Chuck Berry? Taste wine, listen to different kinds of music and see if Clark Smith is on to something or not. If nothing else it will be fun and we’ll try some great wines.

ABC (Anything But Cabernet/Chardonnay)

Expand your wine horizons. Come and taste some varieties from off the beaten path, like Mourvedre, Viognier and Petit Syrah.

Great Value Wines

Come try a variety of wines that are running below the radar. Discover these gems before everyone else and before the price goes up!