Tickets Available Now for the July 9 Event, Presented in Partnership with the 47th Annual Society of Wine Educators Conference
July 7, 2026 (Napa, CA) — With limited tickets remaining, Women For WineSense (WWS) Napa-Sonoma Chapter invites all wine professionals and enthusiasts, women and men 21+ to join them this Thursday, July 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the newly built Wine Spectator Education Center at Napa Valley College.
The Summer Grand Tasting, presented in partnership with the 47th Annual Society of Wine Educators Conference, brings together 11 acclaimed winemakers, viticulturists, and proprietors from across Napa and Sonoma counties, alongside a live, immersive art experience and live music, complemented by an assortment of seasonal appetizers for an evening that goes well beyond a traditional wine tasting.
FitzPatrick’s custom “Grand TasteLings” presentation—developed specifically for this evening—draws on his “Slow Tech” philosophy and research into neuroaesthetics to create a state of deep visual engagement he calls “Slow Fascination.” The performance of Elaine Herrick and Peter Krammer, bassist and guitarist of the Napa-based quintet Monkfish, will be woven into the arc of the installation, creating a genuinely multi-sensory complement to the wines being poured across the room.
Eleven Acclaimed Producers Pouring
The evening features an exceptional cross-section of North Coast winemaking, from storied estates to acclaimed independent producers. Guests will taste wines from Quintessa, one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated Rutherford properties; Chappellet, a Pritchard Hill pioneer with more than five decades of mountain viticulture prowess; Merry Edwards, a benchmark name in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, a longstanding Rutherford producer known for its commitment to sustainable winegrowing.
Rounding out the lineup are wines from industry powerhouses Aperture, Art Nouveau Wines, Ana Diago-Draper Wines, Lambert Bridge, Lost Valley Wines, and North Coast Wine Co./ Outerbound alongside wines produced by students and faculty at Napa Valley College Winery, one of the nation’s most respected academic winemaking programs.
Participating winemakers and producers:
- Ana Diago-Draper, Proprietor and Winemaker — Ana Diago-Draper Wines
- Hillary Sjolund, Director of Winemaking — Aperture
- Julie Lumgair, Proprietor and Winemaker — Art Nouveau Wines
- Stephanie Kunkel and Rian Ervin, Viticulturist and Assistant Winemaker — Chappellet
- Valentina Mendez Cortes and Lisa Bruich, Assistant Viticulturist and Associate Winemaker — Lambert Bridge
- Debra Becker Lamb, Proprietor and Vintner— Lost Valley Wines
- Brown Uzoechi, Estate Sommelier — Merry Edwards
- Phillip Dube, Lead Winemaker — North Coast Wine Co. / Outerbound
- Brooke Shenk, Winemaker — St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Rebekah Wineburg, Winemaker — Quintessa Winery
- Oscar Navarro, Winemaker — Napa Valley College Winery
Immersive Art and Live Music
Mintang FitzPatrick, a Napa-based immersive designer and producer with a 30-year career spanning fashion, fine art, photography, and new media, will present a custom “Grand TasteLings” experience created specifically for the evening. Drawing on his “Slow Tech” philosophy—a contemporary extension of the Slow Food and Slow Wine movements—FitzPatrick’s work is designed to slow the viewer down, activating a state of deep visual engagement. The installation incorporates projected wine-inspired imagery across multiple movements, including GrapeLings, VineLings, and LeafLings, inviting guests to spend extended time with the work as their experience deepens and evolves.
FitzPatrick’s “Think Outside the Glass” programs have brought immersive, multi-sensory experiences to the wine industry, drawing comparisons to landmark productions, including the highly regarded Immersive Van Gogh experience. His Lings series is rooted in research into neuroaesthetics and the psychology of visual perception, creating work that is as intellectually grounded as it is visually striking.
The immersive experience will be accompanied by live music from Elaine Herrick (bass) and Peter Krammer (guitar), members of the Napa-based quintet Monkfish. Their performance will be woven into the arc of the TasteLings presentation, adding a live musical dimension to what promises to be a genuinely singular evening.
“This is a can’t-miss tasting that will showcase so many noted producers that do not typically pour at events, said Julie Lumgair, president of the Women For WineSense Napa-Sonoma Chapter. “Between connecting with our incredible winemaker members, live art and music, food and an engaged audience, this is truly shaping up to be a magical evening.”
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wine Spectator Education Center, Napa Valley College (newly built hospitality center)
Parking: Campus parking included with ticket. Search “Napa Valley College Estate Winery” on Google Maps.
Admission:
- $40 for WWS Napa/Sonoma members
- $60 for all other guests
- Included with SWE Conference two-day registration.
- All women, men, wine professionals and enthusiasts 21+ are welcome!
Tickets: Available at WWS website.
The WWS Napa-Sonoma Summer Grand Tasting is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. Presenting Sponsors: Napa Valley College, Society of Wine Educators, and MINGTANG ART. Silver Sponsor: Portocork. Bronze Sponsors: DP&F and Pina Vineyards. Media Sponsor: NorCal Public Media. Women For WineSense Napa-Sonoma extends its sincere gratitude to each of these organizations for their commitment to wine education and community.
About Women For WineSense
Women For WineSense is a non-profit organization with 13 chapters nationally, each dedicated to advancing wine appreciation, professional education, mentorship and building community.
The Napa-Sonoma Chapter, founded in 1990, brings together winemakers, sommeliers, educators, and wine enthusiasts from across one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, hosting events and industry-focused roundtables that foster meaningful professional connections and knowledge, with a deep appreciation for the craft of winemaking and power of wine to bring people together. Learn more at: https://womenforwinesense.org/napa-sonoma-page-8/
About the Society of Wine Educators
The Society of Wine Educators (SWE) is a nonprofit organization that has provided wine and spirits education to professionals and enthusiasts since 1977. Its annual conference brings together wine educators, sommeliers, importers, retailers, and industry professionals from across the United States and internationally. Learn more at: https://societyofwineeducators.org/events/
About Napa Valley College
Napa Valley College is a two-year community college located in Napa, California, offering a nationally recognized viticulture and winery technology program. The college’s on-site winery produces wines under the guidance of faculty and student winemakers, providing hands-on training for the next generation of wine industry professionals. Learn more at: https://www.napavalley.edu/career-education/career-education-programs/viticulture-and-winery-technology.html
