Norway Somm Tour 2026
January 19-24, 2026Mendocino, Sonoma County, Napa Valley, San Francisco
Welcome!
The Norway Tour will bring together a variety of sommeliers for a week of learning, exploring and experiencing California wine. The program is designed to offer a deeper understanding of California wines through vineyard visits, tastings, master classes and more.
This site provides your itinerary, helpful travel information, key resources on California wine and will also link to a digital wine catalogue on the Bottlebooks platform. The catalogue includes a complete list of the wines featured during the program. We will share instructions on how to use the tool to maximize its functionality.”
Monday, January 19
Bus departs to Hopland at 3:30pmPure Luxury Dispatch at 1-800-626-5466*Please meet bus outside with entire group
Check-In Hotel
5:30pm | Thatcher Hotel
Please meet in lobby at 6:20pm to depart for dinner.
Welcome Reception
6:30pm | Mendocino Whites
Osha Thai Restaurant
7:15pm | Dinner with Mendocino Wineries
Wineries
Bonterra Organic Estates
Dancing Crow
Masut
Masterclass
9:00am | Evan Goldstein, MS – A History of California Wine Through the Lens of 8 Glasses’
Bonterra Organic Estates
11:00am | Tasting & Lunch
Host
Rodrigo Maturana, President of Marketing
Anderson Valley Vintners
3:00pm | Regional Tasting at the Weatherborne Tasting Room
Wineries
Brick & Mortar, Cobb Wines, Goldeneye, Lichen, Lussier Wine Co., Maggy Hawk, SEAWOLF, Wentworth, Thomas T Thomas, Roederer Wines
Hotel Check-In
4:45pm | Boonville Hotel & Madrone Hotel
Please meet in lobby at 5:45pm to depart for dinner.
Goldeneye Winery
6:00pm | Dinner
Hosts
- Kristen McMahan, Winemaker
- Lyle Dowsett, Assistant Winemaker
MacMurray Ranch
11:00am | Tour, Tasting & Lunch
Host
Ellie Haun, Wine Ambassador, E & J Gallo
Littorai
1:45pm | Vineyard & Overview Tasting with West Sonoma Coast
Wineries
Fort Ross Vineyards (Jeff Pisoni)
Gros Ventre (Chris Pittenger)
Littorai (Ted Lemon)
Check-In Hotel
5:00-5:45pm | Hotel Trio
Please meet in lobby at 5:45pm to depart for dinner.
Marimar Torres Estate
6:30pm | Walk-around & Dinner
Russian River Wineries
Bricoleur Vineyards, Donelan Wines, Marchelle Wines, Marimar Estate, Mon Premier Wines, Notre Vue Estate, Scherrer Winery, Three Sticks Wines
Thursday, January 22
8:20am Departure with luggage
Sonoma County Vintners Program
8:45am | "Hidden Gems of Sonoma County" Masterclass
Panelists
- Anthony Beckman, Winemaker, Balletto Vineyards
- Christopher Streiter, Co-Founder, Senses Wines
- Kim Stare Wallace, President, Dry Creek Vineyard
- Mark De Vere MW, Brand Ambassador, Donum
- Andrea Card, Winemaker, Francis Ford Coppola
Sonoma County Vintners Program
10:00am | Discover Sonoma County' Walk-Around Tasting
Wineries
Breathless, Dry Creek Vineyard, DuMOL, Gary Farrell, Hirsch, Naidu, Notre Vue, Ramey, Rodney Strong, Senses, Small Vines, WALT, Williams Seylem
Emeritus Vineyards
11:30am | Vineyard Walk, Tasting & Lunch
Hosts
Mari Jones, President
Riggs Lokka, Vineyard Manager
Sustainability Overview
1:45pm | Presentation with Kate Venugopal, Director CWI & Sustainability Specialist
Silver Oak Alexander Valley
2:15pm | Sustainability Tour & Tasting
Hosts
- Dan Kemp, Winemaker SO Alexander Valley
- Craig Jacobi, Managing Director International
- Sean O’Carroll, Region Manager EMEA
Check-In Hotel
4:55-6:00pm | River Terrace Inn
Please meet in lobby at 6:00pm to depart for dinner.
Friday, January 23
8:10am Departure (no luggage)
Chateau Montelena Winery
9:00am | Napa Valley Vintners Program
Introduction to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Panelists
- Chateau Montelena TBD
- Sal De Lanni, Winemaker, Truchard Vineyards
- Carlton McCoy MS, CEO, Lawrence Wine Estates/Stoney Hill
- Dan Blakely, Winemaker, Matthiasson
Robert Mondavi Winery
11:30am | Tasting & Lunch
Hosts
David Welch, Wine Educator
Clos du Val
2:45pm | Tour & Tasting
Hosts
Doug Hong, Market Development & Export Manager
Aaron Horwitz, Trade Ambassador & Sommelier
Hotel Website
Hotel Break
4:15-5:45pm
Please meet in lobby at 5:45pm to depart for dinner.
Saturday, January 24
8:30am Departure with luggage
Black Stallion Winery
9:00am | Tour & Tasting
Host
Jing Jin, Director Sales and Marketing Operations
Schug Winery
11:45am | Tasting & Lunch
Hosts
Johannes Scheid, Winemaker
Kristine Schug, Executive Chef
Check-in Hotel
4:00pm | The Jay Hotel
Sunday, January 25
11:00am
Check-out/Store luggage at hotel
1:15pm
Shuttle departs to SFO from hotel
4:40pm
Flight # SK936
Guest Travel Information
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.
Guest Travel Information
Stay connected on the Tour
If you haven’t joined yet, make sure to join the Vietnam 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 Vietnam! Get to know your fellow travelers and the tour guides who will accompany you throughout the entire week.
Level Up YourCalifornia Wine Knowledge
Capstone is California’s premier wine certification program, designed for both professionals and wine enthusiasts. With four levels of study, it covers everything from geography and viticulture to producers, the wine business, and more. Developed by leading global experts, the multilingual curriculum offers a comprehensive path from novice to expert.