Join Mariana Onofri, Heather Willens, and Michael Evans for four 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 two 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
WORLD WINE TRENDS & HOW TO TASTE
Check in at the Mini Social Event Space
Overview & World Wine Trends
We will kick off the Masterclass with a discussion of what we will be learning followed by an engaging tasting of wines from The Vines’ global portfolio, among others, to kickstart our discussion of world wine trends. These trends reflect the changing nature of the wine industry, influenced by environmental concerns, new technologies and shifting consumer behaviors.
Coffee Break
Become a Pro Taster: How to Taste
We’ll begin our deeper appreciation of the subtleties and complexities of wine this morning, diving right into the art and process of tasting (including blind tasting).
Lunch: Wine and Food Pairing 2.0
The art of wine and food pairing has evolved over time, and gone to some surprising places. Over a casual tasting lunch we will learn by testing some of the new principles of wine pairing.
Become a Pro Taster: Tasting Conditions and Wine Faults
Here we’ll continue our deep dive into the art of tasting, with a discussion of how to set up the perfect tasting (including glassware and wine temperature), and how to recognize the most common faults in a wine.
Early evening break
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town.
Dinner: World Wine Trends, continued
We will dine at a favorite of some of our members (Scottsdale resident experts), continuing to taste wines from different regions of the world as we learn more about them.
DAY 2 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
BECOME A PRO TASTER
Become a Pro Taster: Recognizing Wine Styles Part I
Today’s pro tasting features differing styles, allowing us to gain perspective (and tasting “memory”) on how different techniques influence a wine’s style. We will blind taste sparkling, white and orange wines.
Lunch: Wine and Food Pairing 2.0, continued
Become a Pro Taster: Recognizing Wine Styles Part II
We’ll continue honing our blind tasting skills, continuing along the spectrum to rosé, red and sweet wines, experiencing the range of styles within each category.
Lunch: Early evening break
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town.
Dinner: Pairing Wine with Mexican Food
Sit down for a fresh and flavorful Mexican meal at one of the city’s many classics, and let us show you how difficult pairings can be decoded and mastered.
DAY 3 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
BECOME A BETTER WINEMAKER
The Effect of Terroir
Today we’ll learn by comparing – tasting the same grape varietal from different regions, soil types and climates to witness in stark relief the effect that the all important terroir has on wine.
Coffee Break
The Influence of Oak
We’ll learn all about different oak barrel types and treatments, and how they affect the taste of a wine.
Lunch: Discovering the Potential of Blends
The magic of a well-made blend is that each varietal contributes its best attributes to the mix. With lunch today we will taste a few shining examples of this principle.
Bringing It All Together: Advanced Blending Session
Now that you are a tasting pro, it’s time to apply all this hard-won knowledge to create two blends: one designed to be consumed young and one built for the long haul. Our winemaking team will be there to accompany your session. Let’s put those pro brains to work!
Early evening break
You’ll have time to relax, hit the gym or stroll around town.
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 be joined by a special guest and share the favorite wines we have brought with us, 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!
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..
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 blind tasting)
• Morning coffee and pastries
• Educational wine pairing lunch during the two 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