REGISTRATION ADVISORY: Please read through the complete program description before registering. This program includes a wine tasting kit as part of its ticket price that must be picked up from a local Washington, DC wine bar.

Spend a fascinating evening expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

When winter looms with cold weather, it's only natural that thoughts turn to warmer climes and warmer wines. California sits atop a well-earned throne of recognition as one of the most important states for fine-wine production. With generally warm weather and  proximity to the Pacific Ocean, California wine regions are primed for peak performance. Discover some of the most exciting expressions of California wine through this delicious tasting designed to warm your soul with whites and reds that will wipe away the winter blues.

Wine Tasting Kit Information

• The cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines.
• Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the workshop.
• UPDATED as of October 18: Kits are available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–5 p.m., at Shilling Canning Company (360 Water Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line).
• NOTE: Patrons will receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program.
• Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.

About Erik Segelbaum

Erik Segelbaum is a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker for 2020 and Food & Wine magazine’s 2019 Sommelier of the Year. He holds the designation of Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of fewer than 600 specialists in the world who hold this level of certification. Segelbaum is the former corporate wine and beverage director for Starr Restaurants, a wine journalist and educator, and chief vinnovation officer of SOMLYAY hospitality and private events consultancy.

Additional Fall Wine Adventures Programs

• October 20: Winning at Wine for the Holidays
• November 17: Amazing Wines of Argentina
• View a list of programs with Erik Segelbaum.

General Information

• Sales will cut off for this program by Friday, December 15 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
• View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.