Our speciality, without a doubt, are private tastings for groups ranging from just two to over 400 people.

Customzied topics, handouts, wine, stemware, maps, and more are just the tip of the iceburg. Our tastings are a guaranteed success for all, whether it's a bridal shower, corporate retreat, or just a gathering of good friends at a private residence.

My personal billing for a typical event starts at $200 and goes up depending on the size and work involved (if I need to hire extra servers, obtain more stemware, etc.). For 80% of all events, my personal billing is about $250. Included in this cost is my time (about two hours for the event), transportation (Twin Cities area), handouts, and stemware usage.

I am available for tastings outside of the metro area -- please email for details. I have done tastings from Duluth to Des Moines, and from Madison to Fargo.

In addition to my fee is the cost of the wine. For a basic tasting (i.e. not "The wines of Barolo", etc.) I like to keep the per bottle average at $15 minimum. The wine is purchased through a mutually agreed licensed retailer. This price point gives me the best chance to get wines of distinction without busting a budget. For most tastings, I like to present six to nine wines (depending on the topic), and one bottle is required per every ten guests for an educational tasting.

Thus, if you are planning a party for ten people in your house, and we decided to pour eight wines, the estimated cost would be as follows:

Jason's fee: about $200
Eight wines at $15 each: $120
TOTAL: about $320
plus cost of food
(make yourself, take out, or have catered ... anything you wish!)

Another example: a party for twenty people, requiring an extra server/helper, and seven wines being presented:

Jason's fee: $250
Six wines, two bottles each: $210
TOTAL: about $460
plus cost of food

One more example: 200 people at a corporate retreat, with six wines being presented:

Jason's fee: $450 (which includes extra help arranged for serving the wine)
Six wines, 20 bottles of each: $1800
Total: about $2250 (only about $11 per person!)
plus cost of food

Obviously, there are many factors involved, so please use the above examples only as rough ideas. Discounts may be possible with mutiple tastings being booked (i.e. private in home classes, one every week for three weeks). Please email me with any questions or ideas!

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Details

The following are SOME examples of class topics and tastings I have done. As I have mentioned, anything is possible and I prefer to approach each tasting with fresh ideas.

Wine 101
The Geography of Wine
The concept of terrior
Organic and sustainable, what's the difference?
Basics of white wine
Basics of red wine
Little known regions of Australia and New Zealand
Introduction to the wines of Italy (or France, or Spain, etc.)
Pinot Noir of the Pacific Northwest
Blockbusters of Spain
Wine and food pairing
Hidden Gems of the Wine World™
Grape varietals of the Rhone Valley
Pinot challenge: Burgundy vs. California
Bubbly!
Wines of Alsace
Wines of the Southern Hemisphere
Profile of the 1982 Bordeaux vintage
The greatest wines of Burgundy
Vertical of Bruno Giacosa Barolo: 1990-1998
... and many, many, many others!

In addition to the topic, other variables to consider are:
Quality of the wines selected (wine budget)
Location (I do have contacts with local restaurants with private rooms)
Number to attend (I budget on one bottle per ten participants)