SDSU Business of Wine Program Goes Abroad
The course will debut Wine Education Abroad, an exclusive wine and cuisine immersion program in Spain.
San Diego State University is offering a Professional Wine and Cuisine Immersion program in the Catalonia, Rioja and Basque regions of Spain.
The trip is the first in the new Wine Education Abroad division of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies professional certificate program in the Business of Wine. The program will take place Oct. 9 through 17.
“If you ever wanted to explore the wine and food of Spain, have someone take you to places you cannot get to on your own, and experience the essence and heart of three Spanish areas, this trip is for you,” said Deborah Lazear, CSW, a certified Spanish wine educator who will provide 12 hours of instruction during the excursion.
Trip highlights include:
- Eating lunch at an old-century wine cave
- A Cava tasting course along with lunch and guided tour at a small, private winery
- Crushing grapes underfoot, tasting wine straight from a barrel and walking through vineyards by the sea
- Discovering the best-kept Basque secrets of producing and serving cide
The tour is led by Spanish guide Ana Gabriela Serra, who specializes in providing tailored itineraries in this region.
“This trip is very exclusive,” Lazear said. “Our tour guide has relationships with wineries that are not open to the public but will be open to us.”
Students will travel by private transportation, enjoy private sommelier-level tours, experience private tours of vineyards and museums, and have private daily wine classes. Their instruction time will count toward one elective or intensive course in the Business of Wine program.
“Spain is not new world — it’s old world,” Lazear said. “Students will get a first-hand experience of how history has molded wine in Spain and influenced the world.”
The experience is limited to 16 participants but anyone can apply to attend. The cost per person is $4,227 (double occupancy) or $5,117 (single occupancy). This price is based on 12 participants and will decrease if more than 12 register. Airfare is not included. The first trip deposit is due March 2.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit the program website.
