With a kick off this Thursday February 28,  World of Pinot Noir returns to the Bacarra Resort just north of Santa Barbara this weekend with events on Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2.

This will be my third year attending, and I can say without a doubt that THIS is the event for Pinot Noir lovers: last year the 2018 World of Pinot hosted nearly 3,500 people and featured more than 250 wineries from around the globe.

Not only do you have the opportunity to taste a plethora of Pinot Noir at the Grand Tastings each afternoon, but there are also a series of insightful seminars taught by industry leaders and amazing dinners that feature central coast wines and wines from around the world.

Last year at World of Pinot Noir I was fortunate to sit in on David Glancy’s Master Class on Burgundy; he will be repeating a variation this year on Saturday, March 2.

SATURDAY BURGUNDY SEMINAR & LUNCHEON:
Tasting the Signature Styles of Burgundy – 9 am – 2 pm
Founder of the San Francisco Wine School and Master Sommelier David Glancy – along with a panel of Burgundy experts and winemakers – will lead a fun and educational tasting exploring the varied winemaking styles that distinguish the top Burgundy houses, including those that ferment “whole cluster” versus those who do not. Via this tasting of Burgundy’s most notable producers and acclaimed vintages – including marquee wines from Domaine Chanson – the panel will also discuss the nuances of Burgundy’s sub-regions, and the region’s current and coming trends. The seminar includes a three-course Pinot Noir-paired lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers.View Menu

• Price – $275

I expected it to be top notch because World of Pinot. And San Francisco Wine School. And David Glancy.

But what I didn’t expect was for David Glancy to be such a good teacher.

And I should know about good teaching:  I’m a college teacher who has taught graduate classes in teacher ed.

What makes David Glancy so good at what he does?

He’s funny, interactive and incredibly knowledgeable;.

Looking around the jam-packeted room, I saw that the audience was riveted.

And we all learned a lot about Pinot Noir;

For exmple, David helped me to understand how Burgundy was so long and narrow.

Geology is so fasciantaitng and important!

So much to learn!

Just do it!

Fri-Sat Mar 1 – 2 World of Pinot Noir, Bacara Resort Santa Barbara

Also of note: this year, after the devastating fires and floods, organizers will donate funds to the Bucket Brigade in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and CA Wine Strong in Northern California.

Other seminars of note include:

FRIDAY SEMINAR & LUNCHEON: Exploring the New World of Pinot Noir – 9 am – 2 pm
Keynote speaker Elaine Chukan Brown – the American Specialist for JancisRobinson.com, and a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine – will lead a winemaker panel discussion and tasting exploring the exciting wines being produced in New Zealand, Oregon, Chile and California. The discussion will explore how these pioneering regions are helping shape the future of Pinot Noir. Panelists include: New Zealand – Erica Crawford of Loveblock Wines; Oregon – Brianne Day of Day Wines; Chile – Rodrigo Soto of Ritual Wines; and California – James Ontiveros of Native 9 Wines. The seminar includes a three-course lunch paired with Pinot Noir and cool-climate wines prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team, with wine service by World of Pinot Noir Sommeliers. View Menu Price – $275.

The menu includes Loveblock’s Pinot Gris which was a game changer for me, and I love Day’s Chardonnay from biodynamically grown grapes and I’d love to taste the wine that they will be serving at lunch. And hey — heck that out for those of you who want a little variety with your pinot noir!

On Friday, as a member of the press, I will be attending:

FRIDAY VIP GRAND TASTING – 2:30 – 6 pm
This exclusive VIP ticket provides you with early entry to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s Grand Ballroom, where you’ll be able to meet winemakers, be the first to bid on silent auction items, and taste through hundreds of Pinot Noir producers from around the world. And there’s more! Exclusive for VIP pass holders is the VIP room filled with special wines and cheeses with a comfortable place to sit. View Menu

• Price – $150

And I’ll also be attending:

FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT SEMINAR: WALT Vertical Tasting – 4:30 – 6 pm
New to World of Pinot Noir 2019, WALT invites you to a unique Vertical Tasting led by acclaimed winemaker, Megan Gunderson Paredes. The rare tasting experience will include eight vineyard designate wines from two premiere vineyards – Clos Pepe, Sta. Rita Hills AVA and Sierra Mar located in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Each wine will be showcased for guests to taste through in a four-year vertical format. Sonoma-inspired charcuterie boards will be included. Based in Sonoma, WALT focuses on 1,000 miles of Pinot sourcing grapes from as far South as Santa Barbara and as far North as the Shea Vineyard in Willamette Valley. For more information, please visit www.waltwines.com. View Menu

• Price – $100

On Saturday morning, I’d love to retake David’s class, but I may not get in so I’ll be at the Foley Family Wines private tasting in their tasting room at the Bacara on Saturday from 10-11:30 am. While winemakers will be pouring during the main events, this just gives me a more intimate setting to taste some of their top wines. Plus as a member of the media, I have access to the media tasting room.

That afternoon, before attending the Grand Tasting — which offers all different wines than Friday — I’d love to attend Elaine Chukan Brown’s seminar on wines of the Willamette Valley:

So many wines to taste so little time!

Remember to spit!!

See you at World of Pinot Noir!