Some things you just can’t learn in a book
Embark on an unforgettable learning adventure exploring the wines, history and culture of world-famous wine regions
- Fully curated tours of high-caliber wineries, historical landmarks and distinctive cuisine
- Private tours and tastings with influential winemakers of the region
- Designed to enhance learning for the serious wine student
If you want to truly understand the wines from a certain region, you have to go directly to the source. Our Wine Education Abroad trips offer you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s most famous wine regions — opening doors that would otherwise remain closed. Enjoy immersive food and wine tasting workshops with local connoisseurs, and visit some of the most important vineyards and cellars. You’ll not only deepen your understanding of an area’s wines and wine styles, you’ll make connections between the history and culture that have shaped them.
Breathtaking scenery, colorful culture and dynamic wines await you in the heart of Argentina’s wine country. Experiences include sunset tastings overlooking the Andes Mountains as well as tours of the Uco Valley (one of the most important wine-growing areas in the country), Mendoza City, and the beautiful and historic wineries of Luján de Cuyo. As you journey through 13 wineries and approximately 80 types of wines, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what makes this important New World region so unique. Learn the history of Argentina’s premiere wine regions and meet the important influencers who are driving it forward.
Indulge in a journey of the senses in Piemonte, where you’ll experience a truffle hunt, 2 star Michelin dining and intimate visits with some of the best wine producers and vineyards in the region. Your home base for this wine excursion is Bra, a city famous for artisanal food, Baroque style architecture and, of course, Barolo wine. Join Napa Valley Wine Academy’s Christian Oggenfuss, dipWSET, and local Piemonte expert Anna Savino for in-depth exploration of this northern Italy wine country, where you’ll taste over 100 wines, enjoy expert-led seminars and sample local cuisine.
There is perhaps no other wine region in the world so influenced by its terroir than Bourgogne. Gain a sense of place with this immersive exploration of the region, unpacking its complexity through expert-led seminars and tastings of over 125 wines. Enjoy several intimate visits each day with some of the best wine producers and vineyards, led by Napa Valley Wine Academy CEO and Official Bourgogne Ambassador, Christian Oggenfuss, dipWSET. Guided cultural visits include the Athenaeum Wine Bookstore, Vézelay Basilica and the Clos de Vougeot Château — a 12th century wine farm and 16th century chateau that have become one of the very best “table d’hôte” of France.
Visit the birthplace of Riesling and Pinot Noir with a trip to the German wine rivers: Rhine, Nahe and Moselle. German Master of Wine Romana Echensperger offers a behind-the-scenes experience of German wine culture and the unique wines it produces, taking you through millennia-old cities and famous vineyards. You’ll tour and taste at the wine cellars of historic producers as well as promising newcomers. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the University of Geisenheim, one of the most important wine universities in the world and the only research center for organic and biodynamic viticulture worldwide.
Join Napa Valley Wine Academy and Greek Grape Wine tours for a rare look at Greece’s ancient but emerging wine regions. Greece is a study of contrasts, home to a viticulture nursery that is helping resurrect endangered and extinct ancient wines, as well as one of the most technologically advanced vineyards in the viticulture world. You’ll enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of both, as well as explore Greek cuisine and culture as you wind through Greek wine country, with overnight stays in Thessaloniki, Naoussa and Athens. You’ll taste over 100 wines and enjoy 6 private winery tours and tastings, 6 gourmet wine-focused lunches and two masterclasses with two of Greece’s top wine educators.
TRIP TESTIMONIALS
This trip exceeded our expectations. Not only was it educational, but also very enjoyable. Our study of the wines of Bourgogne provided a wonderful context in which to expand our knowledge about the history, topography, and culture of the region. This trip wetted our thirst for more in-depth knowledge of the other wine regions throughout the world. I can’t wait for our next trip with Napa Valley Wine Academy!
Thomas GreenWood
The Bourgogne wine tour was amazing! Each day included numerous hands-on educational activities; I learned so much about wine production in the area. Meeting the many wine producers and the wine tastings and were fantastic. I hope to be able to participate in future wine tours.
Kathy Wright
This was the trip of a lifetime. It was the best example of experimental learning I have had the opportunity to enjoy. We started the day with excellent lecture format instruction, and then we’re off to the appellations and region to experience in person. Amazing! The lunches and dinners we enjoyed together, always paired with the wines of the appellation were all unique and spectacular in their own way. Christian is the perfect, gracious host and an excellent teacher. And he ensured that each of us was well supported, no matter what was needed. Suffice to say I am IN for the trip to Piedmont 🍷😬
Irene Fuller
The highlight of our educational journey so far came when we attended the WSET Level 3 Harvest Boot Camp in Napa this past September. The experience, too put in a few words, was “life-changing”. During the 7-day course we were able to meet with Napa Valley winemakers and learn their grape growing techniques, walked through their vineyards and helped them harvest grape varietals, got our hands dirty crushing and fermenting wine, talked with them about aging styles and closed the week with a gourmet vineyard dinner with a magnificent vista view.
We are so grateful to Napa Valley Wine Academy for helping us to find our passion for wines. We would like to personally thank their amazing instructors and support staff, including Catherine Bugue, Jean Cox, Gus Zhu, Amy Oggenfuss, Carina Dimarcellis, and Regina LaConti.
We are so grateful to Napa Valley Wine Academy for helping us to find our passion for wines. We would like to personally thank their amazing instructors and support staff, including Catherine Bugue, Jean Cox, Gus Zhu, Amy Oggenfuss, Carina Dimarcellis, and Regina LaConti.
Irene Fuller