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.

In addition to producing incredible and complex wines, Languedoc has done arguably more for the wine world than any other region on the planet. Sparkling wine was invented there over 100 years before Champagne, the process for making fortified wines was also created in Languedoc. While one of France’s oldest wine regions, Languedoc is also one of the youngest with some appellations not even 20 years old. This region leads the world in organic viticulture with 30% of France’s organic vineyard area and 10% of global organic production. Even now, Languedoc is a world leader in advancements in sustainable viticulture and the source of a forward-thinking response to climate change. This delicious exploration dives deep into the profound impact Languedoc has had in the global wine world.

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
• February 23: Wherever I May Rhône
• View a list of programs with Erik Segelbaum.

General Information

• Sales will cut off for this program by Friday, March 22 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
• View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.