You don’t have to study wine to enjoy drinking it. But learning more about its origins and nuances can certainly enhance the experience.
Julie Rothberg, the founder of Odyssey Wine Academy in Healdsburg, points out that wine classes such as those offered through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) can help people discover regions and wines they otherwise wouldn’t encounter.
“It’s really just giving people a global perspective on wines,” said Rothberg, who is also the president of Medlock Ames winery in Healdsburg. “Especially here in Northern California, we very much have a ‘house palate’ because we’re drinking what’s close. But there’s this whole world of wine that’s just so amazing and fantastic.”
Rothberg and other expert instructors teach WSET courses at Odyssey’s original spot in Bacchus Landing, as well as at a new location at Avinage wine shop in downtown Petaluma.
She said she likes the WSET program because it teaches a systematic approach to tasting.
“It’s a way to break down wine into its structure and components and aromas and flavors, which allows you to really understand what it is you’re drinking,” she said. “It tells you something about where it came from and it helps you enjoy and evaluate a wine so that instead of just saying, ‘I like a big bold red,’ or, ‘I like fruity wines,’ you’re able to really articulate that you like high-acid wines or softer tannins or something with a really rich mouthfeel.”
Although some of Rothberg’s students are wine professionals, she said many are people who are just passionate about wine. “About half the students don’t work in wine,” she explained. “They just love it and want to learn more.”
Here’s where to find wine tasting classes — from half-day workshops to multilevel courses — in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
Sonoma County wine classes
Idlewild Wines Sunday School
Every Sunday, the tasting room in downtown Healdsburg hosts a deep dive into the world of Italian wines — including those made in Italy and wines made from Italian grape varieties grown in California. Idlewild founder and winemaker Sam Bilbro leads the Sunday afternoon events ($50), with each focusing on a different region or producer. This spring, look for a comparative tasting of wines from Friuli and the Südtirol with selections from Comunitá, Idlewild’s sister winery.
132 Plaza St., Healdsburg. idlewildwines.com
Odyssey Wine Academy
Located at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg and Avinage wine shop in Petaluma, Odyssey Wine Academy offers three levels of WSET certification courses ($385-$1,600), as well as smaller, private classes on request. The single-day Level 1 course, aimed at wine novices, introduces students to the components of Old- and New World wines. Level 2, consisting of two full-day classes, is better suited to people who work in the wine industry or already have some wine knowledge and would like to make a career change. The intensive Level 3 course, a precursor to the WSET Diploma certification, involves four months of advanced classes.
Bacchus Landing: 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg. Avinage: 15 Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma. odysseywineacademy.com
Napa Valley wine Classes
Compline
A locals’ favorite for its excellent burger with duck fat fries and its intriguing wine selection, this restaurant and wine shop in downtown Napa also offers seated wine seminars ($100) throughout the year. Recent themes for the two-hour evening sessions have included a tasting with Axel Heinz of Château Lascombes in Bordeaux and a Tokaj Masterclass with Hungarian wine importer Eric Danch.
1300 First St., Suite 312, Napa. complinewine.com
The Culinary Institute of America at Copia
For those who want to know the full story behind one of California’s most famous appellations, the CIA’s local outpost offers The History of Napa Valley in 8 Glasses ($85). Over 90 minutes, participants learn about the region’s soils and microclimates while tasting wines from some of the region’s pioneers.
500 First St., Napa. ciafoodies.com
Napa Valley Wine Academy
Along with WSET Level 1 to Level 4 courses ($399-$1,197), the academy offers weekly blind tasting workshops ($45). The hourlong study sessions are led by Master of Wine candidates and suitable for anyone who wants to become a better taster, delve into wine structure, grape varieties and more. Monthly master class sessions ($129) feature interactive tastings led by top wine specialists, covering such topics as Coombsville Cabernet Franc. The two-day Champagne Specialist course ($799) explores the history, production methods and tasting techniques of French sparkling wines. For those who can’t make it to in-person classes, there are lots of online options.
2501 Oak St., Napa. napavalleywineacademy.com