10 Master, Advanced Sommelier Candidates Visit Napa Valley

“We are honored to be hosting an enrichment program that will help eager Sommeliers further their education as they continue on their paths of becoming Advanced and Master Sommeliers in the Court,” said John Blazon, Master Sommelier and Vice President of the Spire Collection for Jackson Family Wines.

"I look forward to introducing the world-class vineyards and wines of Napa and Sonoma to these candidates and with the success of this program we hope to continue to host more like it in the future. It’s not only an opportunity to share wines from our Collection, but other top producers as well.”

The summit will include visits to and intensive educational tasting seminars with Cardinale, Frog's Leap, Kistler, La Jota Vineyard Co., Lokoya, and Vérité, as well as give the Sommeliers an opportunity to taste other world-class wines from Napa and Sonoma.

Participants will learn about mountain vineyard farming and winemaking with Chris Carpenter and Mariano Navarro and dry farming and biodynamics with Frog’s Leap.

On the last day participants will also partake in a blind tasting seminar hosted by a panel of Master Sommeliers.

About The Spire Collection:

The Spire Collection is a portfolio of fine wines from world-class growing regions. With wines from the renowned mountain vineyards of Napa and Sonoma to the unique hillside terroir in Bordeaux and Tuscany, the Spire Collection includes such esteemed wineries as Cardinale, Vérité, Lokoya, Arcanum, Château Lassègue, La Jota Vineyard Co., and Anakota.

About The Guild of Sommeliers:

The Guild of Sommeliers is a non-profit, member-run organization, committed to excellence measures, development, inspiration and exchange of information for wine service professionals and wine enthusiasts across the U.S.