Join Mariana Onofri, Heather Willens, and Michael Evans for three immersive days of exploration, education, and tasting in this year’s Wine Pro Masterclass.
January 21-23, 2026
WINE PRO
By The Vines
Global Wine Masterclass
Designed for both winemakers and passionate wine lovers – whether you’re just starting out or refining your expertise – this experience offers a deep dive into the art and science of wine, with a special focus on the blending techniques we develop alongside our partner winemakers. And this year, we’re bringing Wine Pro to the U.S., giving us access to an exceptional array of imported wines from across the globe. We’ll make the most of this through guided tastings, engaging discussions and unforgettable meals drawn from the local culinary scene. And when it’s time to unwind, you’ll have space to relax – or even tee off on one of Scottsdale’s legendary golf courses.
WHY YOU GO
• A WSET-type wine education for all levels of knowledge, over three days in a relaxed, casual setting – with our team of experts and with an eye toward helping you become better winemakers
THE ITINERARY
DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
MASTERING THE PALATE: THE ART & SCIENCE OF WINE TASTING
8:30 – 9:00 am – check in at the Mini Social Event Space
9:00 – 9:20 am – Welcome & Overview
We will kick off the Masterclass with a discussion of what we will be learning.
9:20 – 9:45 am – Creating the Perfect Tasting Environment
9:45 – 11:00 am – How to Taste: Whites
11:00 – 11:30 am – Coffee Break
11:30 am – 12:15 pm – How to Taste: Reds
12:15 – 1:45 pm Lunch – Beyond the Basics of Wine Pairing: Whites
The principles wine and food pairing have evolved over time, and gone to some surprising places. Over a casual tasting lunch we will learn by testing some of these new principles – today with white wines.
2:00 – 3:15 pm – The Art of Blind Tasting
2:15 – 4:15 pm – Recognizing Common Wine Flaws
4:15 – 7:15 pm – Rest and relaxation at your hotel
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town.
7:30 pm – Dinner: Thai & Bubbles – A Match Made in Heaven
We will dine at the home of our members the Mackins, learning which wines go best with the authentic Thai cuisine of one of the Phoenix area’s finest.
DAY 2 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
BECOMING A PRO TASTER: UNDERSTAND TERROIR & VARIETAL EXPRESSION
8:45 am – arrivals at the Mini Social Event Space
9:00 – 11:00 am – Terroir Expression Part I: Iconic Whites
11:00 – 11:30 am – Coffee Break
11:30 am – 12:15 pm – Terroir Expression Part II: Orange Wines & Rosés
12:15 – 1:45 pm – Lunch: Beyond the Basics of Wine Pairing – Rosés and Orange Wines (paired with Mexican Food)
2:00 – 4:15 pm – Terroir Expression Part III – Iconic Reds
4:15 – 7:15 pm – Rest and relaxation at your hotel
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town
7:30 pm – Dinner: Italian Nobility Wine Dinner
Tonight we’ll eat out at one of the city’s most beloved Italian restaurants, serving highly authentic, homemade Neapolitana cuisine, which we’ll pair with the noble grapes Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
DAY 3 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
UNLOCKING YOUR WINEMAKING POTENTIAL
9:00 am – arrivals at the Mini Social Event Space
9:15 – 10:30 am – Winemaking Philosophy & Techniques: From Vineyard to Glass
10:30 – 11:00 am – Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:15 am – The Magic of Blending
11:15 am – 12:15 pm – All About Oak Aging
12:15 – 1:45 pm – Lunch: Beyond the Basics of Wine Pairing – oak-aged reds
1:45 – 2:30 pm – Bottle Aging & Cellaring: Where Time Meets Terroir
2:30 – 3:30 pm – World Wine Trends
3:30 – 4:00 pm – Wrap-up & Discussion
4:00 – 7:15 pm – Early evening break
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town.
7:30 pm – Farewell Dinner: Our Favorite Wines from Around the World
Finally, we’ll enjoy an unforgettable farewell dinner at the home of our Scottsdale members, where we will share our favorite wines from around the world, bringing together everything we have learned to skillfully blind taste them. And of course you’ll receive your Wine Pro by The Vines certificate – congratulations, you are now a Wine Pro!
**Please note that each guest is asked to bring two favorite bottles of wine from around the world for the final night’s tasting wine dinner.
**Also note that there is no group hotel for this Experience – we encourage you to reserve a room at a hotel convenient to the event space.
**Vines itineraries are highly unique and customized, and the overall schedule, events and timing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
THE DETAILS
How to arrive
Members should fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport which is 10 miles from Scottsdale, and then transfer and check into their hotels on the day before the Masterclass (Tuesday, January 20). Please note that there is no group hotel for this event, and members are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation around Scottsdale.
PRICING INFORMATION
$3,500 per person inclusive of:
• The Masterclass (you will receive a Vines diploma upon completion) and all wines tasted and served at lunch and dinner (apart from the final dinner which is our BYO tasting)
• Morning coffee and snacks
• Educational wine pairing lunch during the three days of class
• Themed wine and food pairing, and blind tasting dinners on the three nights of the Masterclass
• Written and recorded materials from the Masterclass
Guests are responsible for their flights, airport transfers to their hotel, accommodations and transportation around Scottsdale.
Cancellation Policy
Please review the cancellation policy for this trip on the RSVP page.
FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS OR TO SIGN UP