curated trips to the world’s best wine regions, that bring you behind the scenes of top wineries and food artisans, and create a community of wine & food enthusiasts

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May 16 - May 27, 2027

We cannot wait for YOU to join this growing community of wine enthusiasts!

what to expect from this trip...

Our thoughtfully curated journey will feature outstanding wineries and authentic food and cultural experiences, and the warm hospitality that makes Northern Spain one of the world's great destinations for food and wine lovers. Whether you've traveled with us before or are considering your first The Educated Grape Wine Country Experience, we invite you to save the dates: May 17-26, 2027 and join us for an unforgettable journey of wine, food, friendship, and discovery.

  • a 9-day trip from May 17-26, 2027 (Wednesday, May 26 is a travel day)

  • in addition to world-class wine experiences, dynamic food and local cultural experiences

  • regional food and wine pairing events

  • cooking class featuring local cuisine and wines

  • free time opportunity to explore different regions

  • boutique hotels in 4 unique regions

The trip of a lifetime in Spain!

A Wine, Food & Cultural Journey

Please join us as we explore one of Europe's most celebrated wine and culinary destinations. From the legendary vineyards of Rioja and Ribera del Duero to the vibrant cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián and the rich traditions of the Basque Country, our next Wine Country Experience will celebrate the very best wine and food of Northern Spain. The wines of Northern Spain, from powerful and expressive Tempranillo to versatile and savory Grenache to bright and vibrant Txakolina, played a pivotal role in my wine journey and appreciation. I am excited to share these wines, regions, and regional dishes with you. 

Our Wine Country Experiences through the years

2027 will mark our 5th Wine Country Experience trip, and each year's destination has had its own significance and purpose, and next year will be no different.

2022 Napa & Sonoma - Many people's first big trip post-pandemic, and we were excited to go all out and experience the top-name wineries in Napa & Sonoma. We came out with a bang in this first trip, and the biggest takeaway was the sense of community we had built. Many of us met for the first time on this trip, after a year of solely virtual wine classes. The memories made on this trip set the stage for each Wine Country Experience moving forward.

2023 Willamette Valley & Walla Walla - After seeing the profoundly well-known Napa and Sonoma Valleys, we were eager to introduce these regions. They are both well-renowned regions in their own right, but can get overlooked when you have Northern California right next door. In this trip, many of our attendees called these regions a revelation, and were shocked to discover how good Pinot Noir was from Willamette and Walla Walla.

2024 Santa Barbara & Paso Robles - A return to California, but this time we went South! This was another exploration to highlight two of the most diverse and emerging regions in the Northern Hemisphere with contrasting terroir. We experienced the cooler climate, ocean-influenced Chardonnay and Pinot in Santa Rita Hills, and then explored the contrasting Bordeaux and Rhone varieties in the warmer climate of Paso Robles. The wineries we visited and the winemakers we spoke with are the pioneers of this region, and we were privileged to get to explore these regions in their youth.

2025 Northern Italy - Our first international trip! This has been a dream since the beginning, and Northern Italy was the perfect place to host our first European trip. It's the region we are most passionate about in Italy, and it was important to us to share that with our community. The theme of this trip was diversity- white wines, red wines, sparkling wines, varying climates and terroir, and our first immersive and food-centered events! We got to experience the pinnacle of wine in Italy with our days in Barolo and Barbaresco, visiting some of the finest producers. The hospitality and intimacy of the events we experienced were unmatched, and are an example we hope to set moving forward.

Lasting impressions of past Wine Country Experiences

  • “Every day, every experience was a master class. I enjoyed everything about it - the itinerary, the detailed information provided, the amazing group of fellow travelers, the quality of the places we visited, the cuisine, the wine, and the culture. We were so fortunate to have George and Christi leading this experience. Their organizational skill matched with wine knowledge, and their relationships with many iconic owners and winemakers from the area gave us exceptional access and experiences.”

    Beryl C. from our 2025 Wine Country Experience to Northern Italy

  • “This trip was a once in a lifetime experience; great wine, great food, great wineries, great group! Management and logistics were excellent. Thanks!”

    Peter G. from our 2022 Wine Country Experience to Napa & Sonoma, CA

  • “Honestly, this was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Everything was so well planned and thought out. We just had to show up and enjoy! I haven't stopped telling people about it since we got home. Thank you, team!”

    Pat G. from our 2022 Wine Country Experience to Napa & Sonoma, CA

  • “Every little detail was taken care of, and each place we went provided an opportunity for learning and pleasure - there was a reason for each visit. I made new friends and many memories that I will cherish forever.“

    Karen W. from our 2025 Wine Country Experience to Northern Italy

  • “Another winner!!! Excellent time with George and Christi. Great experiences with food and wine. My husband and I could not have ever, in our wildest dreams, organized a curated trip of this magnitude.”

    Ingrid D. from our 2023 trip to Willamette Valley, OR & Walla Walla, WA

  • "As we experienced each winery & dinner I would think ~ this will be the highlight of the trip! However each one became a highlight in their own unique way. "

    Susan D. from our 2024 trip to Santa Barbara & Paso Robles, CA

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