Tasting, Entertaining, Chatting, Dining:
Aspects of a Festive Meal

Lunch or Dinner with The Wine Tutor

When you are hosting a group in Napa or hosting a wine themed dinner anywhere and want to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests, talk with The Wine Tutor. He will explain the many possibilities for tasting, talking, dining -- all as a way of putting Napa and its wines in full perspective. And The Wine Tutor will work with you to build your event using several integrated activities -- tasting games, casual commentary, monologues and individual tutoring.

For example, a full wine and food evening might start with a reception taking the form of a wine tasting game, both amusing and educational. A slightly more serious moment would be a lively monologue that in just 12-20 minutes reveals the remarkable historical depth to the culture of wine that flourishes now in Napa but can be traced back to 5,000 BC. Dinner proceeds with The Wine Tutor briefly introducing wine discoveries as they are poured for each course. Finally, he chats with guests table by table, giving individuals a chance to ask any question about their own wine and food interests.

A luncheon would take a structure more simple than dinner but could actually gain in intensity of learning and of pleasure. A late morning focused tasting -- dozens of themes can be invented -- leads to a lunch one of the perennial wine questions such as "Red wine or white with this dish?" Guest taste one red and one white side by side through the whole lunch. A cleverly chosen menu will reveal no simple answer. Guests go away amused, bemused and wiser.
As with The Wine Tutor's Tours and Excursions, each of these festive events has its own shape and emphasis worked out between the client and the Tutor. Call or email John to start planning your event!

Other Speaking Topics:
1. Napa History: The wild ups and downs of 170 years.
2. Napa, Robert Louis Stevenson "bottled poetry and "the smack of California earth".
3. Wine and words: Almost Anarchy

Wine Tutor Fees dinner and lunch events:
Because each lunch and dinner program poses unique challenges in both planning and execution, The Wine Tutor's Professional Fees vary. $1500 - $2000 is the starting point, plus travel and lodging if relevant.

For more information:
Details of a Wine Game Reception
Explanation of a Wine Tutor Monologue
The Role of The Wine Tutor at Dinner (or Lunch)

"Thoreen's seminars are an appealing mix of facts, local lore and sensible advice on how to taste and describe wines. 'The tricky part of wine tasting is to help people gain confidence in their palates and be able to articulate their preferences. It's a linguistics class as much as a wine-tasting class,' says Thoreen, a former humanities professor."
- FOOD AND WINE: A Lesson before Dinner by Eileen Daspin

"John Thoreen, aptly named the Wine Tutor, brings twenty-five years of experience educating consumers about Napa Valley vineyards and wineries. His knowledge, with, and Napa Valley winery friendships provide consumer with a unique experience during their visit."
- Margaret Duckhorn
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS