Events
Summer Wine & Birthday Bash!
Tuesday August 12th
This is it! The BIGGEST party of the Summer! This is a repeat of the party that started it all - We're going back to London to see if we are named "Best Wine by the Glass List (without Coravin) in the World" for the second year in a row! We were just awarded the North American title, but we need to represent KC and head back over the pond!
We're pulling out the stops and opening birth year wines, Big bottles, and even BIGGER bottles - that's right! - we're opening a Balthazar of 2002 Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel made by Ehren Jordan while he was at Turley (That's 12 Liters!)!
This will work like all our parties - we'll have some cheese & charcuterie available, but we recommend eating before you come (or feel free to order in some food). If you bring a bottle to share the cost is $150/person; if you don't bring a bottle to share it is $200/person.
Norm will be acting as DJ and if Doug Frost can make it out we'll have dueling DJs!
Help us get to London and drink up some amazing wines with amazing people!
05:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Wine 101: Taste Like a Pro
Tuesday August 19th
Cost: $95
Description: Learn to identify structure, balance, and flavors in wine using professional tasting techniques.
Objectives: - Understand the components of wine - Practice structured tasting (sight, smell, taste) - Learn basic wine vocabulary
Key Concepts: Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol, Body, Sweetness, Finish
Wines to Taste: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
Activities: Guided tasting, aroma identification with scent jars
Takeaway Tips: Look, swirl, sniff, sip, and think!
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Old World vs. New World Wines
Tuesday September 2nd
Cost: $95
Description: Compare the traditions and styles of Europe with wines from newer wine-producing regions.
Objectives: - Recognize stylistic differences - Learn about terroir and winemaking choices
Key Concepts: Terroir, Tradition, Ripeness, Oak Usage
Wines to Taste: Burgundy vs Oregon Pinot Noir, Bordeaux vs Napa Cab, Rioja vs Argentine Malbec
Activities: Side-by-side tastings
Takeaway Tips: Old World often = earth/minerality; New World = fruit/oak
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
How to Read a Wine Label
Tuesday September 23rd
Cost: $95
Description: Demystify global wine labels to help you shop smarter.
Objectives: - Understand common terms and formats - Learn label clues for quality, region, and style
Key Concepts: AOC, DOCG, AVA, Varietal vs Regional
Wines to Taste: Alsace Riesling, Chianti Classico, Bordeaux, Napa Chardonnay, Rioja
Activities: Label decoding worksheet
Takeaway Tips: Region can tell you more than the grape!
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Wine & Food Pairing Fundamentals
Tuesday October 7th
Cost: $95
Description: Learn the key rules to create harmonious pairings.
Objectives: - Understand how acidity, tannin, and sweetness interact with food - Taste contrasting and complementary pairings
Key Concepts: Match or contrast, Intensity, Flavor bridges
Wines to Taste: Dry Riesling, Sancerre, Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Port
Activities: Tasting bites with each wine (cheese, citrus, salty snacks, chocolate)
Takeaway Tips: Acid loves acid, tannin loves fat, sweet loves spicy
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
The Art of Blind Tasting
Tuesday October 21st
Cost: $95
Description: Hone your senses and test your skills through blind tasting.
Objectives: - Identify wine by structure and aroma - Practice deductive reasoning
Key Concepts: Tasting grid, Typical profiles, Deductive method
Wines to Taste: 4–6 mystery wines (mixed styles)
Activities: Use WSET/CMS-style tasting sheets
Takeaway Tips: Focus on structure first, flavors second
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
The World of Chardonnay
Tuesday November 4th
Cost: $95
Description: From steely Chablis to creamy Napa — understanding oak, climate, and style.
Objectives: - Explore regional differences - Learn about winemaking influences
Key Concepts: Malolactic Fermentation, Oak Aging, Cool vs Warm Climate
Wines to Taste: Chablis, White Burgundy, California Chardonnay, Oregon Chardonnay, South African Chardonnay
Activities: Compare unoaked and oaked styles
Takeaway Tips: Chardonnay is a winemaker’s grape — highly versatile.
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Pinot Noir: The Heartbreak Grape
Tuesday November 25th
Cost: $95
Description: A tasting across Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, and more.
Objectives: - Discover why Pinot is so prized and challenging
Key Concepts: Delicate tannins, Terroir expression, Aging potential
Wines to Taste: Burgundy, Oregon Pinot Noir, California Pinot Noir, Central Otago Pinot
Activities: Identify hallmark aromas and texture
Takeaway Tips: Look for elegance over power in great Pinot.
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Cabernet Sauvignon Around the Globe
Tuesday December 2nd
Cost: $95
Description: A powerful red with many faces — Napa, Bordeaux, Australia, Chile.
Objectives: - Recognize how climate shapes Cab - Understand blending and aging
Key Concepts: Tannin, Oak, Ripeness, Structure
Wines to Taste: Bordeaux Left Bank, Napa Cab, Paso Robles Cab, Coonawarra Cab, Chilean Cab
Activities: Compare young vs mature examples
Takeaway Tips: Great Cab balances power and finesse.
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
A Night in Tuscany
Tuesday December 16th
Cost: $95
Description: Sangiovese, Super Tuscans, and traditional Chianti.
Objectives: - Understand Tuscany’s key appellations
Key Concepts: DOCG, Sangiovese clones, Modern vs Traditional
Wines to Taste: Chianti Classico, Brunello, Super Tuscans and more!
Activities: Pair with Italian bites
Takeaway Tips: Sangiovese is Italy’s star red.
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Sparkling Wines From Around the World
Tuesday December 23rd
Cost: $95
Description: Taste and learn what makes the world of sparkling wine so exciting.
Objectives: - Understand different production methods - Compare style, sweetness, and bubbles
Key Concepts: Traditional vs Charmat, Brut vs Demi-Sec, Lees Aging
Wines to Taste: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Crémant, Sparkling Rosé
Activities: Identify production method by style