About this Event
HOW IT WORKS:
To simplify this event - we have moved to flat pricing
When this event sells out at 18 guests - $10,000 worth of wine will be shared along with the talents of Tony Princotta and Ian Blackburn discussing a very unique set of classic wines - top rated and rare collectibles.
Event is now all inclusive at $595 per person.
Rioja is Direct Import by Hiram Simon - Chateau Direct; from 4 and 5 star vintages. Bordeaux is Direct Import by Duclot Napa Valley Legends are accumulated from various old men in the Hollywood Hills. Special wines at every level.
3 glasses will be poured
One will be from Spain
One will be from Bordeaux
One will be Napa
Which is which? We will debate Which is best? We will debate
We will pair each flight with a different cheese or charcuterie.
Pope Tony of The Cheese Store, Beverly Hills Ian B on wine and Duclot on History. This is a special gathering to tell your friends about. Be on time, this is sit down and very structured. We start at 7:45 so that you can have a light bit before But the food and wine will be abundant for those that participate.
WHITE WINE - Starter Flight
- Château Malartic Lagraviere 2016
96 Points Wine Enthusiast - Château Margaux du Pavillon Blanc 2016
96 Points James Suckling - Château "Y" d'Yquem 2016
97 Points James Suckling
OLDER RIOJA - 5 from 4/5 Star Vintages
- Cvne Vina Real Reserva Especial 1952
- Campo Viejo Reserva 1964
91 Points Jancis Robinson - Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva 1970
94 Points RPWA - Cvne Vina Real Reserva 1982
91 Points Tastingbook - Faustino V Reserva 1994
92 Points Decanter
OLDER BORDEAUX - 5 Amazing!
- Château Calon Segur 1982
94+ Points RPWA - Château Figeac 1988
93 Points John Gilman - Château Leoville Las Cases 1989
98 Points Jane Anson - Château Cos D'Estournel 1990
95 Points Vinous - Château Pichon Comtesse Lalande 1995
96 Points RPWA
OLDER NAPA CABERNET - 5 Legends of Napa!!
- Krug Cabernet 1968
- Inglenook 1955
- Mondavi Cabernet 1970
94 Points RPWA - Inglenook 1965
- Fifth wine TBA
DESSERT FLIGHT -- Blind Battle? Which do you prefer?
- Hetszolo 5 Puttonyos 2010
93 Points Decanter - Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2013
98 Points Falstaff - Château d'Yquem 2015
100 Points RPWA
Tony Princiotta thought he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. A Santa Monica native, Princiotta studied history and biology at UCLA. Ironically, both disciplines have served him well. As the discerning manager of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, Princiotta has traveled across Europe in search of rare and interesting wines and cheeses. History meets culture.
According to Princiotta, it’s the hunt that keeps him happy and inspired, along with the desire to please his customers. Princiotta knows most of his clients not just by name, but by their tastes.
“Barrel sampling is one of my favorite methods to provoke the customer’s interest. The wines aren’t ready yet, but you get an idea of what the vintage will be like. People patronize The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills to discover what’s new in food and wine. We pride ourselves on being the premier information and product resource, because we’ve done the research, know what’s out there, and make it available to our clientele, “ Princiotta notes.
Princiotta has earned an impressive reputation in the culinary community. Chefs, sommeliers, and staff from many of America’s most recognizable restaurants visit The Cheese Store and it’s Princiotta’s responsibility to educate them about new and exciting trends in the world of wine and cheese. In fact, Princiotta’s expertise is in such great demand that he's taught classes on wine and cheese at a number of prestigious wineries up and down the coast of California, as well as institutions including UCLA and The Mondavi Center.
After hanging out with wine makers in Sonoma, Napa and Santa Barbara counties for over 30 years, he ventured out as a Garagiste in 2003, and every year since, his wines, including Syrah, Chardonnay, Grenache, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, have all won awards.
Manager and buyer of wine and cheese for The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills since 1983, Princiotta devotes much of his time to research and travel. “Sometimes I read about an intriguing product or hear about an interesting wine or cheese from a customer. I’ve visited all the important wine making regions of the world, and while I like to discover unusual products, I still want to offer my customers value,” he declares.
Princiotta enjoys selecting products that aren’t always mainstream. “Customers are attracted to The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills because of our dedication to providing excellent selection and service. As a result, many great food trends start right here at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills.” Princiotta notes.
Princiotta spends his mornings on the international phone circuit, but likes to log as much time as possible behind the counter, interacting with the food and the customers. One of Princiotta’s most sought-after talents is his expertise in wine and cheese pairings. “The right cheese will make a great wine taste even better,” he explains.
Offering a choice bite of advice to anyone who likes to eat, Princiotta says of the exquisite offerings from The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, “It’s only food. Whether you’re cooking or buying cheeses, let your palate do the talking. And always take it one step further. That’s part of the process.”
Princiotta learned the language of food at an early age. His grandfather emigrated from Germany after World War I and opened what was to become the largest bakery in Alaska. His parents met at the bakery during World War II when his father was stationed in Juneau. A scion of two great food cultures (his mother is Sicilian) Princiotta recollects that his house was always full of interesting European foodstuffs. “The only time we ever ate at a restaurant was on Mother’s Day, “ he quips.
When he’s not traveling, tasting, or teaching, Princiotta tends his bountiful garden, replete with orchids, tropical plants, and succulents. He also cultivates an abundant cook’s garden, that lends zest to his recipes and joy to family and friends. Also calling Princiotta’s garden their home are two 50-year-old tortoises. But these 35-pound pals won’t be making it into the soup any time soon. “In food and wine, the language of nourishment is from the heart,” Princiotta avows.
Our team is dedicated to providing a home for people who just simply love food.
Since its inception, longtime owner Norbert Wabnig had been determined to build a store that combined new world love for gourmet food while embracing the charm and simplicity of an old world shop. New owner Dominick DiBartolomeo is bringing his own dedication and vision and the tradition of family ownership continues into what it sure to be an exciting future!
Founded by Colonel Sigmund Roth in 1967, Roth sought to build a store with exotic cheese and food at its core. In 1978, the store was sold to Norbert Wabnig to continue Roth’s vision. In 2022, Norbert sold the store to 20 year employee Dominick DiBartolomeo to continue the tradition and bring new energy to the store. While the Cheese Store prides itself on quality service, that service is built on the foundation of family. Our family spends holidays wrapping gift baskets, weeknights working wine tastings, and summer afternoons chatting over cheese.
ABOUT IAN BLACKBURN, WINE EDUCATOR - 25 YEARS OF INDUSTRY SERVICE
Ian discovered the wine industry at the ripe age of 21 while working for famous chefs such as Thomas Keller and Joachim Splichal in the top dining rooms of Los Angeles. The discovery of wine and his endless need for knowledge quickly engulfed Ian’s life. His passion would eventually redirect his career from restaurants and hotels to vineyards and education. In 1995 LearnAboutWine.com was born, becoming the first website dedicated to wine education.
With over 25-years of experience traveling the wine world, Ian is a published author (Wiley Publications, 2002), has 10 vintages of top level winemaking on his resume at Beekeeper Cellars, and is considered one of the region's best wine educators. Ian’s push to evolve and his ability to pivot has produced a strata of new concepts such as, ZoomIntoWine.com (virtual education), MerchantofWine.com (the family’s online wine store), and now the return of in-person gatherings with LearnAboutWine.com. Ian maintains high levels of entertainment and enthusiasm at his events by using all the great gathering spots in LA as potential venues. All while making a name for himself in the wine industry, Ian has never forgotten to give back to the community. Over the last few years he has raised over $650,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation, which donates to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to help fund research to cure cancer in children. The combined charity efforts of LearnAboutWine have raised over a million dollars for a variety of causes throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
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Our Policy
All tickets are non-refundable. We can adjust your menu for dietary needs up to 72 hours prior without any additional cost. Wines can change without notice, failure or corked wine at the dinner does not result in any type of credit or refund. We open one bottle minimum per paying guest, and can reduce the total number of bottles being opened so that the dinner does not have to cancel should ticket sales not reach the minimum. Fewer bottles equals larger pours - you will get the same quantity of wine and we always open the best wines for the quality of the event. Cancellation due to illness is not allowed, you may however take food to go - or assign your seat to someone else without fee. The perishable nature of our product requires no cancellation, no credit, no refunds for any reason - this is like an airline flight or Dodger game… once it goes, its gone.
NOTICE REGARDING ALLERGIES, FOOD RESTRICTIONS + LIMITATIONS INCLUDING BEVERAGES BUT NOT LIMITED TO WINE
*Please carefully review any programs you may be interested involving food/refreshment/beverages.
No refunds, cancellations, or date swaps allowed.
Unfortunately, refreshments and food & beverage substitutions are politely declined. We try our best to accommodate food limitations/restrictions, however, it is our policy is to inform you that we make no promises or guarantees of any particular food/ beverage accommodation, regardless of whether learnaboutwine or our third-party venue is providing refreshments/ food and/or beverages. We make no promises guarantees that if/ any refreshments/food and/or beverages are free of any allergens and/or health restricting products/elements. We will not be held responsible/liable for/if any illness that may occur while consuming at his/her/their own free will and at his/her/their own discretion.
*Please be advised, outside food and beverage is not permitted at any of our events.
*Adult Participants must be 21 and over. Valid government issued ID required to attend this event. The entirety of the experience is important and vital for the enjoyment of all adult participants. Our private events are created for adults 21-years of age and older and unable to accommodate minors. Minors are not allowed into any of our events.
*ALL/ANY TICKET SALE IS FINAL. WE DO NOT OFFER REFUNDS/EXCHANGES/CREDITS/TRANSFERS BETWEEN OUR PROGRAMS.
Email us - [email protected]
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine, and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects.
Email us: [email protected]
LearnAboutWine.com Office | 10am-4pm PST Tuesday-Friday | 310-451-7600
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Duclot Art Lofts, 1850 Industrial St, Los Angeles, United States
USD 620.80
