California Dreaming 2025
Sommelier Tour
July 6-11, 2025
Exploring the Central Coast, Santa Cruz, Lodi, Napa Valley, and Sonoma County
Welcome to California
This tour will bring together 25 top sommeliers from across Europe for a meaningful and memorable week of learning, exploring, and experiencing. Through expert-led masterclasses and seminars, exclusive tastings, and behind-the-scenes vineyard visits guests will gain an in-depth understanding of California’s viticultural excellence.
This site provides the itinerary, helpful travel information & tips, and California wine resources. The week before your trip, this site will also link to a digital wine catalogue on the Bottlebooks platform. The platform will provide the full list of wines you will taste throughout the week. We will share more information and guide you through the tool so you can maximize the functionality.
Arrive SFO
11:45am
Meet at the luggage carousel for group transport to Santa Cruz.
Travel & Check-In
12:30pm
Depart for Santa Cruz
2:00pm
Arrive at Dream Inn & check-in
Beach Toast & Dinner With Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries
6:00pm
Please meet downstairs at the hotel pool patio for a welcome toast on the beach with Caraccioli Cellars.
6:45pm
Depart for dinner at Sea Bright Social with Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries including Madson Wines, Storrs Winery, Sandar & Hem Wines and Birichino.
Monday, July 7
Depart Dream Inn at 11:30am with luggage
Overnight in Lodi at Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
Introduction to Central Coast Wines
Masterclass
9:00am
In collaboration with representatives from the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans and Santa Barbara Vintners Association
Hosts:
Alison Laslett, Santa Barbara Vintners
Gabriel Fabela, Tyler Winery
Christopher Taranto, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Gwen McGill, Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans
Gary Franscioni, ROAR
Scott Caraccioli, Caraccioli Cellars
Paso Robles, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Barbara Regional Immersion
10:15am
Walk-around Tasting
Hosts:
Alison Laslett, Santa Barbara Vintners
Gabriel Fabela, Tyler Winery
Christopher Taranto, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Gwen McGill, Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans
Gary Franscioni, ROAR
Scott Caraccioli, Caraccioli Cellars
Ridge Monte Bello
Single-vineyard wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains
12:30pm
Tasting & Lunch
Host:
Katie Blakely International Sales Director
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:30 - 6:30pm
Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa in Lodi, CA
Please meet in the lobby for a 6:30pm departure to dinner.
Oak Farm Vineyards
Exploring Wines from Lodi, Livermore Valley and The Delta
6:45pm
Dinner
Hosts:
Stuart Spencer, Lodi Winegrape Commision
Participating wineries include Wente Family Vineyards, Bogle Winery, LangeTwins, Ironstone Vineyards, Klinker Brick Winery, Turley Wine Cellars, Sandlands, St. Amant, and Oak Farm Vineyards.
A History of California Wine in 5 Glasses
Masterclass
8:30am
In-depth tasting of California’s wine history
Hosts
Evan Goldstein MS
Evan Goldstein MS
Wine Writer, Educator, and Master Sommelier
Evan Goldstein, MS, is one of the nation’s leading food and wine experts. He began his career at 19, training in renowned kitchens in Paris, Napa Valley, and Berkeley. In 1984, he partnered with his mother, Chef Joyce Goldstein, to open San Francisco’s acclaimed Square One, where his award-winning wine lists earned widespread recognition.
Lodi Uncovered: White Wines, Old Vines, and Vineyard Dogs
Masterclass
10:15am
Dig deeper into winemaking excellence in this emerging region
Hosts:
Stuart Spencer, Lodi Winegrape Commission
Tegan Passalaqua, Turley Wine Cellars & Sandlands
Susy Vasquez, LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards
Historic Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley
Panel Tasting at Beaulieu Vineyard
2:00pm
Led by Gillian Balance MS and Napa Valley Vintners
Hotel Check-In & Break
4:30 - 5:30pm
The Archer Hotel in Napa, CA
Please meet in the lobby at 5:30pm for departure to dinner.
Louis M. Martini Winery
6:00pm
Dinner & Tasting
Reception with Massican Wines and Winemaker Dan Petroski
Hosts:
Zach Watkins, Louis M. Martini Winemaker
Marie Weiss, Business Development Manager, Luxury
Matthiasson
9:00am
Tour & Tasting
Hosts:
Jill and Steve Matthiasson, Co-Owners
Derrick Harrison, Brand Ambassador
Peter Granoff MS
Master Sommelier, Wine Educator & Speaker
Peter Granoff, a Master Sommelier since 1991 and James Beard Award winner, co-founded Virtual Vineyards, pioneering online wine sales and secure e-commerce. He has taught for the Court of Master Sommeliers and Culinary Institute of America, and co-owns Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant. Peter also consults on wine, technology, and innovations like Coravin.
Chardonnay Exploration at Freemark Abbey
Masterclass
11:00am
Tasting and Lunch
Hosts:
Peter Granoff MS
Tiffany Stewart, Jackson Family Wines
Rombauer Vineyard
Bennet Lane Vineyard
3:00pm
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
Host:
Richie Allen, Senior Director of Viticulture and Winemaking
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:00 - 6:00pm
Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, CA
Please meet in the lobby at 6:00pm to depart for dinner.
Dry Creek Vineyard
Sonoma County Vintners
6:15pm
BBQ dinner and tasting with the Sonoma County Vintners
Hosts:
Ashley Boyle, Trade Relations & International Programs Manager
Kim Stare Wallace, Dry Creek Vineyard President
John Doxon, Dry Creek Vineyard Director of Sales
Thursday, July 10
Depart Hotel Trio at 8:30am
Overnight in Healdsburg at Hotel Trio
An Exploration of California Pinot Noir
Masterclass & Tour
9:00am
Explore California Pinot Noir excellence in this masterclass and tour at Balletto Vineyards
Speaker
Karen MacNeil
Karen MacNeil
Speaker, Author & Consultant
Karen MacNeil is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. These include the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. In a full-page profile on her, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” Karen has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine.”
Small Vines
Vineyard walk and lunch with West Sonoma Coast Vintners
12:00pm
Tasting & Lunch
Hosts:
Kathryn and Paul Sloan, Owners and Vintners, Small Vines. Joined by representatives from Boars’ View, DuMOL, Littorai, Peay Vineyards, Senses Wines, and Three Sticks.
Hotel Break
Please meet in the lobby at 4:45pm for departure to dinner
Silver Oak
Wine Pairing Dinner
5:00pm
Hosts:
Vivian Gay, Director of international sales
Laura Oskwarek, Director of Winemaking for Silver Oak
Kistler
Soil Pit Demonstration
9:00am
Tour & Tasting
Hosts:
Leila Pearson, Vice President Sales & Marketing
Jason Kesner, President & Winemaker
Kai Kliegl, Assistant Winemaker
DuMol
11:00am
Tour & Tasting
Hosts:
Andy Smith, Winegrower/Chief Winemaker & Proprietor
Marc Guerguy, Director of Sales & Partner
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:30pm
The Jay Hotel in San Francisco, CA
Please meet in the lobby at 6:45pm for departure to dinner.
ABACA
What's New in California Wines & How to Sell Californian Wines in Europe
7:00pm
Closing dinner
Host:
Evan Goldstein MS
What to wear
Afternoons and evenings can be cool and windy, especially in coastal areas. Bring a jacket or sweater with you at all times.
- Casual, jeans ok. Please dress for vineyard & winery visits with sturdy footwear – closed toe shoes
- Winery Dinners: Smart casual (Tip: Avoid wearing heels)
What to bring
- Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
- Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
- Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
- Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!
Tips
- Join the tour WhatsApp Group for helpful reminders.
- Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. We kindly ask everyone to be on time.
What is covered in your stay
- Hotel stays, group transportation, transportation to and from SFO
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What is not covered
- Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
- Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference and regional tours.
- Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance as Wine Institute is not able to do this for you.
Airport transportation on Sat., July 12
- Group coach transfer to SFO for departure on Saturday, July 12 has been arranged. Please meet in the lobby with luggage at 11:00am for departure.
- TRAVEL ISSUES: If your flight is canceled or delayed, or if any other logistical constraints arise, please contact your California Wines representative directly or Ceci De La Montanya at cwi@colangelopr.com).
Wine, Dine & Tag!
While you’re enjoying the tour, don’t forget to connect with us on social media! Share your photos and tag us to join the conversation. Use our official tour hashtag: #CADreamingSommTour and #CaliforniaWines
Facebook & Instagram: @CaliforniaWines
And don’t forget to include your regional California Wines accounts to amplify your voice:
@californiawineseurope
Stay connected on the Tour
If you haven’t joined yet, make sure to join the European Sommeliers WhatsApp Group! It’s a great place to connect with fellow tour members, share photos and updates, and stay engaged with our growing community.
Meet your fellow travelers
See the incredible lineup of sommeliers from Europe! Get to know your fellow travelers and the tour guides who will accompany you throughout the entire week.