Upcoming Local DC Events
WTWS World Tour: Australia
Saturday May 9th 12pm - 4pm
A very special limited series:
The Welcome To Wine School World Tour!
Stop No. 4
Australia, a guided tasting built around one of the most dynamic wine countries in the world, where bold, powerful styles meet a new wave of precision and restraint. The old reputation only tells half the story. This is a daytime experience that’s structured, fun, and designed to make wine feel simple without dumbing it down.
You’ll taste five wines total, including a welcome sparkling from Tasmania that we’ll simply enjoy without the full certified grid, followed by a focused white flight that contrasts Australia’s signature tension and texture, and a red flight that explores how site, climate, and winemaking shape everything from elegance to controlled power.
This tasting is built around a more focused lineup, giving us the opportunity to spend more time with each wine and explore the depth, detail, and character that define top Australian producers.
Lite bites provided by RIS Catering. I chose RIS Catering, led by Chef Ris Lacoste, because WTWS is curated start to finish, always the highest standards, down to the last detail.
Event Location: Glover Park, near the National Cathedral.
The exact address will be shared in your ticket confirmation email after purchase.
Price: $119 per person
WTWS: The Drift
Four Ways To Sparkle
Saturday June 6th 6pm - 9:30pm
A very special limited event:
The Drift
A guided tasting experience built around movement, contrast, and discovery. Set in the evening along the Potomac, this is a more relaxed format designed to let you explore at your own pace while still offering the structure and insight that defines Welcome To Wine School.
As the sun sets over the water and the pace of the day begins to shift, so does the experience. It’s social, easygoing, and intentionally less rigid, while still grounded in thoughtful wine selection and clear, engaging guidance.
You’ll taste a curated lineup of sparkling wines, each representing top bottlings from their respective regions and producers. These are benchmark expressions chosen not just for quality, but for how clearly they show place, style, and technique. Rather than moving through formal flights, you’re encouraged to revisit, compare, and discover what stands out to you.
This tasting is built around a focused selection, allowing more time with each wine and a more personal connection to what’s in the glass.
Food provided by RIS Catering. I chose RIS Catering, led by Chef Ris Lacoste, because WTWS is curated start to finish, always the highest standards, down to the last detail.
Event Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Boarding Location: The boardwalk in front of Fiola Mare. We will board and return to this location. Full details will be shared in your confirmation email after purchase.
To preserve the feel of the experience, this event is limited to 14 guests.
Price: $275 per person
WTWS World Tour: South Africa
Saturday June 13th 6pm - 9:30pm
A very special limited series:
The Welcome To Wine School World Tour!
Stop No. 5
South Africa, a guided tasting built around one of the most compelling and rapidly evolving wine countries in the world, where old vines, dramatic landscapes, and a new generation of winemakers are redefining what’s possible. The legacy here runs deep, but the modern story is sharper, fresher, and far more exciting than most people realize.
This is a daytime experience that’s structured, fun, and designed to make wine feel simple without dumbing it down.
You’ll taste five wines total, including a welcome sparkling that we’ll simply enjoy without the full certified grid, followed by a focused white flight that explores the tension, salinity, and texture that define South Africa’s best coastal wines, and a red flight that highlights the balance between power and restraint, shaped by site, climate, and thoughtful winemaking.
This tasting is built around a more focused lineup, giving us the opportunity to spend more time with each wine and explore the depth, detail, and character that define top South African producers, from historic estates to the new wave pushing the country forward.
Lite bites provided by RIS Catering. I chose RIS Catering, led by Chef Ris Lacoste, because WTWS is curated start to finish, always the highest standards, down to the last detail.
Event Location: Glover Park, near the National Cathedral.
The exact address will be shared in your ticket confirmation email after purchase.
Price: $119 per person
Serve The Wines Everyone Will Be Talking About This Holiday Season - A festive guided tasting led by Certified Sommelier Gary Russell
Join Certified Sommelier Gary Russell for an unforgettable afternoon of wine, food, and festive inspiration.
You’ll taste an exceptional lineup of sparkling, white, and red wines—all personally selected for their quality, versatility, and gift-worthiness. Every bottle featured retails between $30 and $100, making it the perfect addition to your holiday table or a thoughtful present for the wine lovers in your life.
A curated assortment of artisanal meats and cheeses will accompany the tasting, designed to complement each wine and elevate your experience. But make no mistake—the wines are the stars of the show. I really wanted to splurge on the quality of the wines to celebrate the holiday season. We’ll be enjoying many outstanding wines from Special Club Champagne to Second Growth Bordeaux!
The tasting is led by one of DC’s favorite sommeliers — Gary Russell. He’ll guide you through each pour with insights, stories, and a few surprises along the way.
Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase their favorite wines directly through District Champagne, with pickup available in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Come sip, learn, and celebrate the season in good company.