TASTINGS are held once a month in San Francisco. They start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and conclude around 7:30 p.m. 12 wines are tasted in blind-conditions (meaning that participants know the varietal, but do not know which wine is in which glass).

Each wine is poured into a separate, lettered Riedel cristal wine glass. 12 glasses for 12 wines. The taster is seated comfortably and is presented with a semi-circle of glasses for analysis of the wines. To facilitate concentration, a quiet atmosphere is maintained until each taster has completed his or her evaluation at which point consensus discussion begins. White tablecloths enhance visual evaluation. Tasting sheets and other aids are provided. The specific wines are identified only after tabulation of all the scores and rankings has been completed, the consensus discussion at each table has been concluded, and the results announced. These results, which are of tremendous interest to consumers and wine professionals all over the world, are also published electronically. Over the past 37 years, members have been enriched by approximately 1,500 educational tastings and events.

POST-TASTING DINNERS: Recognizing that wine is made for enjoyment with food and friends, the tastings are frequently followed by an optional moderately-priced dinner at which the tasted varietal is paired with food. These dinners conclude around 9:15 p.m. They are designed to advance participants' knowledge of the tasted wines and to add to the camaraderie.

PRICE & CANCELLATION POLICY: Tastings are discounted for members and are priced between $65 and $165. Post-tasting dinners, also, are discounted for members and range between $120 and $130 (all wines, 20% gratuity, corkage and tax included). Non-member prices are higher. Tastings and events routinely sell out quickly. Waiting lists are common due to seating space and glassware limitations.

The announcement for each event specifies a cancellation deadline. This facilitates proper preparation for the event. Should an unforeseen circumstance preclude attendance after the cancellation deadline has passed, you may call the Vintners Club up to four hours prior to the commencement of the tasting to donate your seat. The Club will then offer your seat on a scholarship basis to a full-time student and send you a letter acknowledging the donation.

OUTREACH PROGRAM: So as to further wine education as a public benefit, and with the goal of educating young consumers, a limited number of half-scholarships are offered to full-time students over age 21. Students at Stanford University, University of California at San Francisco, the California Culinary Academy, University of California at Davis, University of California at Berkeley, University of Southern California, and University of San Francisco have availed themselves of these opportunities. Students from other institutions are also welcome.

Bruce Gray, a semi-conducter executive, serves as the Co-Ordinator of the Outreach Program and can be reached through the Club’s offices.

ELEGANT WINE EDUCATION DINNERS are organized from time to time at restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Often, the wines for these dinners are donated by our members, many of who have extensive wine collections. The Club strives to introduce members to American and foreign wines with which they may not have much familiarity. Appropriate pairing of the wines with food is an important component of these educational events.