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
A designated meeting point will be shared for group transport to Santa Cruz.
Travel & Check-In
12:30pm
Depart for Santa Cruz
2:00pm
Arrive at hotel & check-in
Beach Toast & Dinner
6:00pm
Meet at hotel patio for welcome toast
6:45pm
Depart for dinner at Sea Bright Social
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
Wineries & Hosts
Gary Franscioni, ROAR
Paso Robles, Santa Lucia and Santa Barbara Regional Immersion
10:30am
Walk-around Tasting
Ridge Monte Bello
Single-vineyard wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains
12:30pm
Tasting & Lunch
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:30 - 6:45pm
Masterclass
History of California in a glass
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 Wines Masterclass
Overview & Tasting
10:15am
Dig deeper into winemaking excellence in this emerging region
Host
Stuart Spencer, Lodi Winegrape Commission
Napa Valley Vintners
Seminar
2:00pm
Exploration of Napa wines
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.
Peter Granoff
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.
Rombauer Vineyard
3:00pm
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:00 - 6:00pm
Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, CA
Please meet in the lobby at 6:00pm for a walk to dinner.
Thursday, July 10
Depart Hotel Trio at 8:30am
Overnight in Healdsburg at Hotel Trio
Balletto Vineyards
Pinot Noir Masterclass & Tour
9:00am
Explore California Pinot Noir excellence in this masterclass and tour
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.”
Winery Visit
2:00pm
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
Hotel Break
Please meet in the lobby at 4:45pm for departure to dinner
Hotel Check-In & Break
5:30pm
The Jay Hotel in San Francisco, CA
Please meet in the lobby at 6:45pm for a walk to La Mar restaurant.
La Mar SF
What's New in California Wines & How to Sell Californian Wines in Europe
7:00pm
Casual closing dinner
Hosts
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 (link forthcoming) for helpful reminders. Check back for a link to join here.
- 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
- Group coach transfer to SFO for departure on Saturday, July 11 has been arranged. Please meet in the lobby with luggage.
- 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: (TBD)
Facebook & Instagram: @CaliforniaWines
And don’t forget to include:
#CaliforniaWines
Stay connected on the Tour
If you haven’t joined yet, make sure to join the European Sommeliers WhatsApp group (coming soon)! 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.