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.

The Rhône Valley is home to some of the world's most iconic appellations such as Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being part of the same broad region, the northern and southern Rhône produce distinctly different wine styles, a contrast mirrored in the products of their winemakers. Explore why Syrah and Viognier reign supreme in the north while Grenache and Marsanne rule down south. Discover why the north is more mono-varietal and the south is all about the blends. As you taste multiple expressions from across the Rhône Valley, you’ll learn why wines from this beautiful area of France are food-friendly favorites of sommeliers the world over.

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.
• 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 the 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 Winter Wine Adventures Programs

• January 26: Bordeaux Unearthed
• March 22: How Languedoc Changed the Wine World
• View a list of programs with Erik Segelbaum.

General Information

• Sales will cut off for this program by Friday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
• View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.