“I have taken both courses. The instructors tell it how it is, simply and eloquently without
intimidation. This instills the confidence to explore wines on our own, as well as encouraging us to
develop and express our own opinions and preferences. I really enjoy the personal stories about the
different wineries and wine makers around the world. I was always entertained while learning at the
same time.”
— Liz, Director of Trade & PR, Southcorp Wines
The Bruce Cass Wine Lab offers fun, informational, and entertaining wine education in evening classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Experience 12 - 16 fantastic wines each night, accompanied by lecture, discussion, plus an assortment of bread & cheeses!
A Gift Certificate makes a great gift for any wine lover. Many of our classes sell out, so register early for best availability.
Fundamentals of Taste & Smell
Our most popular class! ‘Fundamentals’ is a perfect introduction to the basics. A 3-session course designed to create a strong foundation for wine appreciation while developing your confidence about wine.- Begins July 8, 2008 – San Francisco, SFSU Downtown (Westfield Mall)
- Begins September 17, 2008 – San Francisco, Fort Mason Center
- Begins September 30, 2008 – Menlo Park, Burgess Recreation Dept
- Begins October 27, 2008 – Berkeley / Oakland location TBA
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Fundamentals of Taste & Smell Weekend
Our most popular class, now offered over 3 consecutive weekend days! Great for visitors from out of town looking for a San Francisco weekend experience!- Begins May 16, 2008 – San Francisco, Fort Mason Center
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The Essentials of Great Wine
Our 8-session ‘Great Wines’ program is designed to help wine enthusiasts broaden their wine knowledge with expert instruction and tastings. The course includes an in-depth look at all the major grape varietals and winemaking regions around the globe... plus the culture, history, and personalities that bring the world of wine to life!
Over 110 wines worth $4,000 will be shared in class – a complete wine experience for beginners and experts alike. After this class, you'll buy wine more confidently, serve it with greater enjoyment, and take much more satisfaction in your own wine tasting.
Register online for the complete 8-session course. On a limited basis, we make Part I (sessions 1 – 4) or Part II (sessions 5 – 8) available independently for $329. Call for availability.
- Begins October 15, 2008 – San Francisco , Fort Mason Center
- Begins October 21, 2008 – Menlo Park, Burgess Recreation Dept
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California & Pacific Northwest Wines
This 3-session program showcases the delights and differences among the major wine growing regions of California and the Pacific Northwest. Understand how the topographies, soils, and climates are different—and which grape varieties do best in certain conditions. Sample delightful wines from each region, including rare and older wines, while Bruce shares highlights of history, local lifestyles, and emerging regional cuisines. Discover dining and accommodation destinations, wineries and attractions that will enhance any wine tasting excursion along the Pacific Coast. Available as a weekend program for Summer 2008!- Begins August 15, 2008 – San Francisco, Fort Mason Center
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Restaurant Dinner Programs
Bruce Cass Wine Lab is uniquely situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, where experimentation with food and wine pairing is almost a social obligation. The currents of several historic cultural cuisines intermingle here with the flow of a dynamic wine industry, a salubrious climate able to produce foodstuffs year-round, and the pulse of a diverse, well-traveled population.
It is our intention to take advantage of these resources by offering wine dinners with Bruce in excellent restaurants where 8 to 10 courses of food will be matched with 16 to 20 wines in a sit-down, family style format. These top-of-the-line restaurants are chosen for the quality of their food. Bruce will bring the wines--a selection of superb examples from all over the globe. At restaurant prices, the wines alone would cost $100 to $150 per person.
- Begins July 30, 2008 – Ozumo (161 Steuart St, between Mission & Howard)
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Southern Hemisphere Specialty Class
This 2-session program is ideal for wine enthusiasts curious about the exploding wine industries of Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, but also South Africa, Chile, and newly emergent Uruguay.
Australia today sells more wine in London than France does. The South African wine industry is a hundred years older than either the Australian or the Californian industries. The highest vineyard in California is 3,600 feet ~ Argentines routinely plant above 4,000 feet, and have two wineries with vineyards over 11,000 feet. New Zealand has taken the world by storm with Sauvignon Blanc, and is threatening to do the same with cold climate Pinot Noir. All these countries are making unique wines of extraordinary value, but equally important they are beginning to also produce consistent, world-class, artistic efforts which toy with triple-digit retail prices. Come see the whole range.
Bruce Cass has worked the crush in Australia and in South Africa. He has traveled extensively in New Zealand and South America as recently as the last two years. He will entertain you with personal vignettes, and open your eyes to some extraordinary new wines.
- Begins November 13, 2008 – Fort Mason, SF
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Gift Certificates
A Bruce Cass Wine Lab Gift Certificate makes a unique gift for any wine lover. Order a Gift Certificate today!
Class Format
The Bruce Cass Wine Lab is objective education, not promotion! We do not have a commercial agenda to push. Class consists of half-hour lectures each night, then a one-and-a-half hour discussion and tasting. Glasses, bread, cheese and all course material are provided. Twelve to 16 wines are tasted each session side-by-side for best vocabulary development. Wines are carefully selected to clearly illustrate points from the lecture.
Our Wine Dinners with Bruce pair expertly selected wines with skillfully-crafted dishes for an engaging and educational evening out at a renowned San Francisco restaurant. A multi-course meal along with tax and gratuity are included.
Class Attendance Policy
If you are unable to attend a particular session, please contact us 48 hours prior to the session. You will have up to one year to reschedule and attend the session at a later date. We regret that we are unable to offer make-up classes for our California & Pacific Northwest, Wine Innovations, and Southern Hemisphere courses.
Wine Dinner Policy
There are no refunds or exchanges with our Wine Dinners, although you can send someone else in your place.