Understanding Wine: From Vine to Glass
Three Saturdays from 12:00 - 3:00pm
Instructor: Len Tolstunov (Calistoga Wine Society)
Price: $65 per class
Member Price: $48.75 - $58.50 per class, depending on membership level (click here to learn more about membership)
March 21
Bordeaux Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: France versus California. Wine seminar and blind tasting.
April 11
Wines of Italy, Spain, and California: Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Cabernet: Game of Thrones. Wine seminar and blind tasting.
May 2
International white wines of Germany, France, and California: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Wine seminar and blind tasting.
Understanding Wine is a relaxed, small-group wine classes that takes the mystery (and intimidation) out of wine. In each session, we dive into the stories, terroir, and larger-than-life personalities that helped shape the wine world, with a spotlight on a few wine varietals per class. Enrollment is intentionally limited, making it easy to ask questions, share impressions, and learn together. We wrap things up with a fun, informal open and blind tasting that lets you put your new knowledge into practice—no prior expertise required, just curiosity and a sense of adventure.
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
Since graduation from UCSF, Len Tolstunov has been working as an oral surgeon in San Francisco for the last 30 years, as well teaching and doing research. He wrote three books in his medical specialty and had always been a passionate teacher. Len and Marina have been coming to Calistoga for the last 25 years. After taking a WSET wine education course, level 3 with honors in 2016, they started to spend more time in Napa and eventually bought a house in Calistoga. In 2022, Len started Calistoga Wine Society for our town as a unifying force for those who loved wine and wanted to meet and learn more about wine. In 2025, CWS celebrated its 3-year anniversary. From a small passionate wine-loving group to a 300-member strong society, this organization became an intimate part of the local community with social and educational wine events. For the last two years, Len has become a writer-contributor for the Calistoga Tribune newspaper publishing wine articles in the “Conversations Uncorked” column as well as “Winemaker interviews” with local Calistoga-based winemakers. “Understanding Wine: from Vine to Glass” wine class is the natural continuation of many private wine seminars, now in a brand-new beautiful facility – Brannan Center of Calistoga.
