Mexico Sommeliers 2025
March 30 – April 5, 2025
Lodi, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, San Francisco
Welcome to California
This Capstone Immersion Tour will bring together 10 sommeliers from Mexico for a meaningful and memorable week of learning, exploring, and experiencing. The week will offer a deeper understanding of California wines.
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
11:19am
Pure Luxury Dispatch: 1-800-626-5466
12:15pm
Depart to Lodi
website
Vineyard Visit
Casual Lunch
2:00pm
Casual lunch in vineyard
4:15pm
Check-in hotel
Lodi Masterclass
Panel Discussion, Walk-around Tasting, Lunch & Tour
8:30am
Masterclass with Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of Lodi WineGrape Commission
Lodi Program
Walk-around Tasting, Lunch & Tour
10:30am
Walk around Tasting with Lodi wineries
Tuesday, April 1
Depart at 7:15am (with Luggage)
Overnight at the Archer Hotel in Napa Valley
Charles Krug Winery
Overview, Tasting and Tour
9:30am
Overview on Napa Valley with Desmond Echavarrie MS
Tour with Charles Krug
Desmond “Des” Echavarrie MS
Master Sommelier
Desmond “Des” Echavarrie, Master Sommelier, founded Scale Wine Group in 2016, representing over 25 boutique wine producers nationwide. His career includes roles at The French Laundry, Realm Cellars, Soutirage, and as consulting Master Sommelier for American Airlines. Above all, he values his roles as husband to Genevieve and father to Eloise.
Long Meadow Ranch
Lunch at Farmstead
12:00pm
Tour & Lunch
Hosts
Brad Groper, Long Meadow Ranch
Gustavo Rodriguez, Spottswoode
Matthew Sharp or Andy Demsky, Shafer Vineyards
Hoopes Vineyard
Tour & Tasting
3:00pm
Vineyard tour, animal sanctuary, regenerative farm & tasting
Host
Lindsay Hoopes, Proprietor
Trinchero Napa Valley
Tour & Dinner
6:20pm
Walking tasting and tour of Trinchero Napa Valley followed by dinner on-site.
Hosts
Oscar Espinosa, Sales Director México
Eric Martinez, Executive Chef
Jean Martin, Director of Hospitality
Madison Kreamer, Senior Manager, Wine & Spirits Education
MAVA (Mexican America Vintners Association)
Panel Discussion at MaCo Tasting Room
9:00am
Panel Discussion with MAVA wineries
Panel
Casa Martinez
Encanto Vineyards
MaCo Vineyards
Bazan Cellars Home Ranch
Lunch hosted by MAVA Wineries
11:30am
Lunch with MAVA Vintners
Wineries
Aldina Vineyards
Bazan Cellars
Honrama Cellars
Maldonado Vineyards
Matthiasson
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
2:00pm
Tour with Steve Matthiasson, Proprietor
4:30 – 5:45pm
Hotel break
The Prisoner Wine Company
Dinner
6:15pm
Dinner information
Host
Paulina Hernandez, Sales Director
Thursday, April 3
Depart the Archer hotel at 8:15am (with Luggage)
Overnight at Healdsburg (Harmon House)
Sonoma County Program
Presentation & Tour
9:30am
Welcome Pasteris & Coffee
Sonoma County Sustainability Overview
10:00am
Farm of the Future Vineyard Walk & Photo
Host
Karissa Kruse, President & CEO, Sonoma County Grape Growers Association
Masterclass
Sustainability in Sonoma County
10:45
Featuring 10 wines from five wineries, showcasing various appellations, varietals, and sustainability efforts
Panel
Dutton Ranch Winery
Vineyard Tour & Lunch
12:05pm
Vineyard tour with Steve Dutton and Joe Dutton, followed by lunch with pilot farmers, focusing on our pilot programs and sustainability initiatives.
Host
Steve Dutton, Proprietor
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Tour
2:40pm
Tour of Sustainability initiatives
Host
Justin Seidenfeld: Senior Vice President of Winemaking & Winegrowing
Check-in Hotel & Break
3:45 - 5:30pm
5:30pm
Please meet in lobby at 5:30pm to depart for dinner.
La Crema
Tasting & Dinner
6:00pm
Walking tour of Estate, seated tasting and dinner
Host
Ben Fine, Educator
Friday, April 4
Depart Harmon House at 8:40am (with Luggage)
Overnight in San Francisco
Silver Oak Cellars
Masterclass
8:45am
Preserving Our Roots’ Masterclass
Panel
Keith Hammond, Emeritus Vineyards Winemaker
Christopher Strieter, Senses Wines Founder
Sonoma County Tasting
Walk-around Tasting
10:30am
Discover Sonoma County Walk-around Tasting
Wineries
Buena Vista/DeLoach
Emeritus Senses
Landmark/JUSTIN
Naidu Balletto
Ramey Wine Cellars
Rodney Strong
Seghesio
Silver Oak/Twomey
The Donum Estate
Three Sticks Wines
DuMOL
Tasting & Lunch
12:15pm
Deep Dive into DuMOL/RRVD
Panel
Andy Smith, Winegrower, Chief Winemaker & Proprietor
Marc Guerguy, Partner and Director of Sales
Small Vines
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
2:15pm
Tour & Tasting
Hosts
Paul and Kathryn Sloan, Founders and Owners
Finale Dinner
Restaurant Abaca
7:00pm
Dinner info
Evan Goldstein MS
Wine Writer, Educator, and Master Sommelier
Evan Goldstein, MS, is one of the nation’s most prolific food and wine industry veterans. His food and wine career started at age 19 in the kitchens of the Restaurant Le Saintongeais and the Hotel Lancaster in Paris, Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, and Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley, California. In 1984 he joined his mother Chef and Author Joyce Goldstein in opening the celebrated San Francisco restaurant Square One where as sommelier his wine lists received a myriad of awards.
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. 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
- We are happy to provide an Uber Voucher to cover your rides to and from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), should you choose to use it.
- UBER VOUCHER: https://r.uber.com/rMiuO1VBM1O.
- TRAVEL ISSUES: If your flight is canceled or delayed, or if any other logistical constraints arise, please contact your California Wines representative directly or Rebecca Johnson (+1-707-287-3046).
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: #CWMXSomms2025.
Facebook & Instagram: @CaliforniaWines
And don’t forget to include:
#CaliforniaWines
#CWMXSomms2025
Stay connected on the Tour
If you haven’t joined yet, make sure to join the Mexico 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 Mexico! Get to know your fellow travelers and the tour guides who will accompany you throughout the entire week.