How it Works
I Come to You
I come to you, wherever you are. The class format and guest list is up to you. I can help two people learn more about wine, or I can host a private, in-home tasting for a group of up to 20. I can also be booked for conferences and events. I will say that in general that if you are going to invite people to your party, they should have some interest in learning about wine. As a rule, more people means that I can’t get as in depth as I would with fewer people. I find that large groups only have an attention span that lasts around 1-2 hours. However, more people usually means a more jovial atmosphere, so it’s a balancing act. It’s all about how much you want to learn vs the atmosphere you want to create. I can customize to any situation. Contact me to begin a conversation.
What does John do?
I help you and your guests learn more about wine. It is important to help your guests understand that they should be prepared to learn about wine at the time they are invited. My presentations take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Your guests should be prepared to have fun and learn. I generally stay for one-on-one conversations and questions after my presentation. I am happy to discuss wine with your guests as they mingle.
I also help you prepare for the party. I can help with everything from the wording on the invitations to the set up for the tasting, and I will definitely help you order the wine!
What doesn’t John do?
I am not a glorified wine pourer. If you are going to invite me to your party, you should get your money’s worth. People generally thrive in the atmosphere I create, so you don’t need to worry about your guests enjoying themselves. You should not expect a waiter who tells guests interesting things as he pours the wine. That is not what I do. I will engage your guests in a group setting for the entirety of my presentation. I will certainly pour tastes for your guests as I present. Guests should expect to mingle and “party” after the presentation.
How Many People can Attend?
Private in-home wine tastings are my most popular format. In that setting, I find that groups of up to 20 people work very well. Having more than 20 makes the content a little harder to get through in the time allotted. I also find that a small group of couples (around 4-8 people) works extremely well. However, I can customize to meet your needs. Contact me to begin a conversation.
Safety & Responsibility
As a public school teacher, I go through a thorough background check every year. It is safe to bring me into your home. In order for me to ensure my personal safety, I may request information about you. If I feel unsafe for any reason, I will ask to be excused.
It is important to encourage your guests to enjoy the event responsibly. Wine tasting is different than wine drinking. I always encourage guests to spit during the tasting (I will teach them how). Of course, this is their choice. If they choose to do so, they will still be able to enjoy a glass or two of their favorite selection after the presentation. This helps them to enjoy the presentation to its fullest without becoming intoxicated.
May people believe that spitting wine is disrespectful and means that they do not like it. This is not correct. Spitting helps you fully enjoy a tasting experience, and then you get drink what you enjoyed after the tasting. Read up on spitting on my blog.
Customizations
There are endless ways to customize your experience. I am happy to customize a class that fits your needs. You can customize almost any element beyond that. The possibilities are truly endless. Here are some examples.
Custom wine glasses and spittoons.
You can present wines in glassware designed for each wine. We can discuss how glassware affects the wine tasting experience.
You can have guest names on each glass, and they can keep them as a souvenir.
You can put your business or personal logo on any of the products I offer.
Contact John to begin a conversation.