These are FAQ's regarding our tasting events. To see the response, just click a question:

Yes. For the tastings other than the festival event, we do provide rather nice glasses, but they are not crystal. If you feel you will enhance your enjoyment of the wines by bringing particular glassware, please do so. You will need a minimum of 5 glasses per person. For the Festival event, we also provide a Burgundy Crystal stem. However, you may bring your own. Please remember to get a free glass to add to your collection as this is an exceptional crystal wine glass that will add to any collection.

For the Non-Festival tastings, you may not pay at the door. These tastings are reserved seating and we gauge the amount of wine we need by the number of people attending. Therefore, we cannot add additional seats on short notice. For the Sunday Grand Tasting, you may purchase tickets on the day of the event at the pavilion box office. There may be limited tickets available therefore it is always safer to purchase tickets in advance.

At the non-festival tastings, we pour approximately 1.25 ounces per taste. The amount is enough for two good tastes of each wine. More often than not, we have wine left over at the tastings and we welcome patrons to help themselves. At the Grand Tasting, the producers are allowed to pour at their discretion.

For the non-festival tastings, we usually taste the wines in 3 flights of four wines (if we are drinking twelve wines). If not, then we make sure the same number of wines are tasted for each flight. We usually taste each flight of wines for approximately 20 minutes, then discuss them as a group for 15 minutes. For the Festival event, the producers are set up at tables and you are allowed to leisurely approach them and taste their wines, engage in conversation and mix with the other attendees.

This is a very common question. We believe, and work very hard to ensure, that our tastings are enjoyed by all, regardless of your knowledge of wine. For the beginner, the tastings are an opportunity to learn more about the theme, while the advanced taster can make buying decisions. Regardless, everyone is welcome and all will have a chance to offer their perspective. Our tastings are about education and fun and we do not allow them to be about ego.

Ample amounts of bread cheese are served at the event at a number of stations. Each festival will offer a minimum of 10 food purveyors offering a variety of their specialty items. in the past, we have had sausage, chocolate, tamale, meat, bread, cheese, olive oil and quiche producers. Some sell their products as well. In San Francisco we offer small turkey, roast beef and vegetable sandwiches for purchase. You are allowed to bring in a baguette or sandwich if you please.

There is no dress requirement (though we do require clothing of one form or another). Most of our participants come after work so you will see everything from suits to shorts. Our events are casual, and the last issue you need to worry about is how you are dressed!

San Francisco: For the Non-festival event, parking in the facility will be ample. For the Festival event, parking is very limited at the Fort Mason Center and most of the spaces inside the facility are being reserved for wineries so that they may setup their tables. There is parking along the Marina Green and throughout the community.

Chicago: For the Non-festival event, parking at the various establishments will be ample. For the Festival event, parking is available at all Navy Pier parking facilities. For more information on parking, directions and alternative means of transportation, click HERE.

Los Angeles : Entrance to the Barker Hangar can be challenging. Parking is available for $5 in several lots bordering the Barker Hangar. Look for Valets to direct you, and please have cash. For more information on parking, directions and alternative means of transportation, click HERE.

No. Simply put, we do not have the license to sale wines and it is illegal to remove any bottles from the pavilions. Our security will be checking for any opened and opened bottles attendees try to remove.

We will not admit babies or pets. No exceptions except seeing eye dogs. No one under 21 is allowed. Valid I.D. will be required. You may not be admitted without your tickets, we do not have the ability to check ticket status the day of the event. Anyone who consumes too much wine or appears to have done so, will be removed from the Tasting without refund. Liability is limited to the ticket purchase price. All purchased ticket sales are final, no refunds, exchanges, or cancellations. On-site replacement badges subject to a $20 processing fee. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or misdirected, misplaced tickets.