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Classes

Old World vs New World Red Wines
Nov
24
4:00 PM16:00

Old World vs New World Red Wines

Born in the Old World, these popular grapes gradually took root in the New World, picking up unique nuances. One of the great joys of wine is exploring how the same grape can reveal exciting and nuanced differences depending on where it’s made. Join us as we look at some classic grapes and styles from the Old World and showcase one New World region where each has flourished, creating new benchmarks and expressions. Tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

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Lost Creek Black Friday Market & Tasting Event
Nov
29
12:00 PM12:00

Lost Creek Black Friday Market & Tasting Event

Join Lost Creek owner, Todd and Aimee, as we showcase 10 of our wines for a complimentary tasting and wine buying event just in time for the holidays! GIve the gift of Lost Creek or bring it to the holiday dinner party!

Complimentary tasting of Lost Creek Wines
New Wine Releases Available
Black Friday 50% Off Mixed Case Sale (12 bottles or more)
Click here to make a FREE Reservation

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Wine Varietals 101
Dec
1
4:00 PM16:00

Wine Varietals 101

A varietal is a wine that is made from a single grape or is primarily made from one grape. To be considered a varietal, a wine must be at least 75% of a specific grape. A great class to get oriented with single varietal wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Riesling. Tasting of 10 wines.

Click Here to Register - $35 per person | $30 per club member

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Holiday Wine Market & Wine Tasting
Dec
8
12:00 PM12:00

Holiday Wine Market & Wine Tasting

Looking for a special bottle for Holiday dinner? Great gifts for the wine lovers in your life? Join Aimee, Julie & Cathy as each of them has selected some special Holiday wines they each love and would like to share. A complimentary tasting of 15 wines perfect for the holidays that will be available for purchase at special prices. Please note: this is a walk around tasting that is complimentary and reservations are available every 15 minutes from 12pm - 3pm. If you are joining us for brunch please make a separate reservation.

Complimentary Tasting | Reservations Required
Click here to Make a Reservation

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A Guide to Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine
Dec
11
7:00 PM19:00

A Guide to Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine

If there is French wine that everyone deserves to taste, it’s probably Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s like the gateway drug to French wine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a French wine appellation known for its bold Grenache-based red blends. Officially, the region makes both red and white wines with up to 13 different grapes. (Unofficially, there are 20 varieties used in the region!). Let’s dig into the details of this historic wine and find out why Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the Southern Rhône’s most exclusive appellation. Tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 club member

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Wines of Tuscany
Dec
18
7:00 PM19:00

Wines of Tuscany

Tuscany is famous for many things — the glorious art, architecture and culture of Florence and Siena, the photogenic countryside, its beautiful rolling hills and, of course, its food and wine. In terms of wine, “Tuscany” and “Chianti” are synonymous to many people. Not only is this incorrect, but the region’s wine landscape is far more complex and dynamic. Join us to learn more about this complex wine region. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

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Douro Valley - Spain & Portugal
Jan
4
4:00 PM16:00

Douro Valley - Spain & Portugal

The Iberian Peninsula is home to many notable red wines. Tempranillo, often tannic and full-bodied, is the signature grape of Spain, and Port, a fortified wine, has been produced in Portugal since the seventeenth century and is sought after around the world. Join us as we taste through wines of these two wine regions of Spain & Portugal that follow the Douro Valley. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 Club Member

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Fireside Red Wines
Jan
12
4:00 PM16:00

Fireside Red Wines

Winter is a time of year to sit back and reflect, and also a prime opportunity to warm up by the fire at the end of a long day. Red wines are a perfect choice for even the coldest of winter nights, just begging to be drunk by the fire. We call these Fireside Reds, and they’re sure to keep you warm this winter. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve | $45 per person | $40 per club member

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New Era of Barolo
Jan
16
7:00 PM19:00

New Era of Barolo

Barolo has long been known as the King of Wines, and for many wine lovers, it remains the ultimate expression of Nebbiolo. But traditionally, enjoying the wines took immense patience: Since their robust tannins demanded long cellaring to soften, the wines were often austere in their youth.

Things began to change in the 1980s and 1990s, when a group of winemakers known as the “Barolo Boys” introduced new techniques and a distinctly modern style. Come taste classic vs modern Barolo! Tasting of six (6) Barolos.

Click Here to Reserve - $60 per person | $55 club member

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Napa Valley Pioneers
Jan
18
4:00 PM16:00

Napa Valley Pioneers

In 1839 the grapes were planted in Napa Valley by George Yount. Early grape-growing pioneers began establishing their wineries in the local region roughly 20 years later. Just over the hill in Sonoma County, Buena Vista Winery became the first established commercial winery in all of California in 1857. Charles Krug founded the first commercial winery in Napa Valley in 1861. To follow, Beringer Vineyards in 1876 and Inglenook in 1879.

These wineries paved the way for future winegrowers and undoubtedly elevated Napa Valley as a world-class wine-growing region. They made a lasting impact on the local wine-growing community and the international world of wine. In essence, these founders helped garner the clout and reputation for which Napa wines are known today.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 club member

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Single Vineyard Charm
Jan
22
7:00 PM19:00

Single Vineyard Charm

When it comes to wine, there are different designations of wine that can inform the consumer about the grapes and wine making practices. Single vineyard wines are made from grapes that all come from the one vineyard and can even focus on one or two vineyard blocks. Single-vineyard wines not only capture the true varietal character but also benefit from carefully chosen winemaking methods that amplify each wine's unique personality, Tasting of six (6) single vineyard wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

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WSET Level 1 Certification - Course & Test
Jan
25
9:00 AM09:00

WSET Level 1 Certification - Course & Test

$395 – Includes course tuition, study guide, postage for mailing of certificates and pins, and the final examination

This one day course meets in person at Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg on Saturday, April 27, 2024. There is no pre-study required; students will receive their study materials when they arrive for class.

Approximate Schedule
9:00am: Class begins
12:00pm: Short break for lunch*
12:30pm: Class resumes
2:15pm: Examination
*Lunch is not included in the registration fee. Students may bring their own lunch or visit one of the local eateries. 

6 Guided Learning Hours, including 45 minutes for the examination

This class covers the main types of wine, the most common grape varieties, wine service, storing and serving wine, tasting technique, how to describe the smell and taste of wine, and the basics of pairing food and wine. During the class, students taste eight different wines. Those who pass the exam receive the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines.

Click Here to Register - $395 per person
Please note: Registration is done through Capital Wine School

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Top Wine Regions of South Africa
Jan
26
4:00 PM16:00

Top Wine Regions of South Africa

In 1973, with the introduction of the wine of origin system, South Africa was divided into a series of official regions, districts, wards and estates. South Africa's vineyards are mostly situated in the Western Cape, however even here there are considerable differences in climate between these regions, which determine the viticultural practices and wines styles of each region. Tasting of (6) six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

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Cashmere & Silk - Wines of Texture
Jan
30
7:00 PM19:00

Cashmere & Silk - Wines of Texture

The texture of a wine is the tactile sensation it leaves in the mouth, and it's often described using words that refer to textiles. Cashmere and silk are two fabrics that can be used to describe the texture of a wine: Cashmere bering a soft, warm, and delicate texture and silk as a delicate and caressing texture. Tasting of six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member

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WSET Level 2 Certification - Course & Test
Mar
4
to Apr 8

WSET Level 2 Certification - Course & Test

$850 - Includes course tuition, study materials, postage for mailing of certificates and pins, and the final examination

This 5-class course will be held at Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg on the following dates: March 4, 11, 18, 24 and April 1 with the exam on April 8. Each class meets from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  The exam also begins at 6:00 p.m.

The aim of the course is to focus on the key grape varieties and regions of the world. While the course provides an overview of the wines of the world, including main wine grapes and regions, it also covers factors affecting wine quality and style, grape growing, and basic winemaking practices. The course emphasizes tasting assessment and the skills required to describe the aromas and tastes of wine. It helps to develop fundamental tasting and assessment skills. During each class session, students will taste 4-6 wines. The exam takes 1 hour and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. Those who pass the exam receive the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, an internationally recognized credential in the wine industry.

The course fee includes the 5 classes at Echelon Wine Bar; PDF copies of the class lectures; the WSET course book, study guide, and guide to the systematic approach to tasting wine; practice quizzes; wines for tasting during each class session; and the exam at Echelon Wine Bar.

Note: This is a structured educational class with seated tastings and classroom style lectures.

17 Guided Learning Hours (including one hour for the examination) and 11 hours’ private study.

Click Here to Register - $850 per person
Please note: Registration is done through Capital Wine School

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Top Wine Regions in the US
Nov
21
7:00 PM19:00

Top Wine Regions in the US

While California’s Napa Valley and Sonoma still reign supreme as the top wine regions in the United States, there are plenty of wine regions across the nation that are rapidly growing in prominence. Not only are these regions producing world-class wines, but they are also helping to create the basis of a thriving wine industry – everything from wine tourism to wine festivals. Tasting of six (6) wines from regions of Oregon, California, Washington, NY State, Virginia and Texas.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member

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Wines for the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
Nov
16
4:00 PM16:00

Wines for the Thanksgiving Dinner Table

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. What is the best wine to enjoy with your turkey? What are some wines that everyone will enjoy? What should I bring to that Thanksgiving celebration? Join us for a tasting of eight (8) wines that go perfectly with Thanksgiving. Wines will be available for purchase after the tasting at special pricing.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member

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California vs Oregon Pinot Noir
Nov
13
7:00 PM19:00

California vs Oregon Pinot Noir

What is the difference between California and Oregon Pinot Noirs? Climate is the key difference. California’s Pinot Noir regions such as the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast experience moderate, maritime climates whereas Oregon vines experience four full seasons with cold winters and hot summers. Oregon’s cooler climate results in lighter wines, with primary aromas and tastes of cranberry and cherry. California’s warmer climate results in bolder wines, with more black and purple fruits such as black plum and blackberry. Let's compare. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

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The Art of Food & Wine Pairing
Nov
9
3:30 PM15:30

The Art of Food & Wine Pairing

Join us as we explore sweet, savory, sour culinary bites alongside wines to compare and contrast the art of food and wine pairing. Tasting includes 4 bites/samples with 4 wines. Note: This tasting is educational to explore the pairings and not intended to be a meal. We are not able to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Click Here to Reserve - $60 per person | $55 per person

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Grower Champagne Tasting
Nov
3
6:00 PM18:00

Grower Champagne Tasting

Champagne is the most famous region in the world known for its magical bubbles. Champagne, like all wines, is an experience for all of the senses – color, aroma, texture, flavor and in this case sound too. But what is grower Champagne? “Grower Champagne” generally refers to wines from the Champagne region of France that are made and bottled by the same person who grew the grapes. This is different from wines produced by Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot. Tasting of six Champagnes from France.

Click Here to Reserve - $55 per person | $50 Club Member

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Wines of Montalcino Italy
Oct
26
3:30 PM15:30

Wines of Montalcino Italy

One of Italy's (and the world's) greatest wines, Brunello di Montalcino is small wine region in southern central Tuscany, producing particularly impressive wines from the Brunello grape – a local strain of Sangiovese. In Tuscany, its homeland, it perhaps ranks alongside Chianti Classico. On global markets it seems to command even greater attention. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 Club Member

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Cabernet Sauvignon is King
Oct
22
7:00 PM19:00

Cabernet Sauvignon is King

Known as the “King of red wines,” also known simply as “Cab,” this grape is small, dark and thick-skinned. ... In America, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are three of the most popular red wines. However, Cabernet Sauvignon is older and more aggressive than both siblings. Explore why Cab is King. tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $55 per person | $50 Club Member

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Vertical Tasting - Lost Creek Winery
Oct
20
3:30 PM15:30

Vertical Tasting - Lost Creek Winery

Join Lost Creek owner, Aimee Henkle, as she conducts a vertical tasting of their wines, Genesis & Provenance/Allure. What is a vertical tasting? A tasting of the same wine from the same producer across different vintages (aka years). Vertical tasting of 2013, 2016, 2019 Genesis & 2012, 2014, 2016 Provenance, 2019 Allure (new name for Provenance).

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 per club member (Echelon & Lost Creek)

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Major Roles of Minor Grapes
Oct
16
7:00 PM19:00

Major Roles of Minor Grapes

What do you mean by minor grapes? Think Petit Verdot or Malbec added to a Bordeaux blend or Sémillion added to Sauvignon Blanc, Graciano added to Tempranillo. They all play a role in making these these wine world-class and why do they work so well. Come taste and let’s talk about how these minor grapes bring things like acidity, freshness, lift to name a few things. Tasting of six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 per club member

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St Émilion vs Pomerol
Oct
9
7:00 PM19:00

St Émilion vs Pomerol

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol are the two great names associated with the Right Bank. Saint-Emilion itself is the driving force in terms of volume and accounts for some 40 percent of all wines produced on the Right Bank. Pomerol, in contrast, is smaller in size and producing impressive opulent wines, full of dark and spicy fruit, generally supple and more approachable than many of the other top wines in Bordeaux. Tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $60 per person | $55 Club Member

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Spanish Fine Wines
Oct
6
3:30 PM15:30

Spanish Fine Wines

Spain may not be the first wine region to come to mind when you think of expensive, luxury wine. But, there are several expensive, investment-grade wines that’ll fit right into your wine collection!

The Spanish red wines typically boast a bold structure, crisp freshness, a red fruit flavor, and other subtle wine tasting notes that include oak and spice. The finest reds come from sun-drenched regions like Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Levante, and Priorat. The grapes from these regions are harvested late and macerated longer, and the wines are aged in new French oak.

Spanish white wines from Rioja and Catalonia usually offer crisp minerality, a fruity complexity, medium acidity, and a citrus fruit flavor. However, the most delicate Spanish whites come from Galicia. The region is cool, boasts fertile decomposed schist soils, and has maritime influence from the Atlantic Ocean. The wines from this region boast earthy notes that express terroir.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 Club Member

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Celebrate Virginia Wine Month Tasting
Oct
1
7:00 PM19:00

Celebrate Virginia Wine Month Tasting

October is Virginia Wine Month! We can't wait to bring these hard to get Virginia wines to you. Join us as we kick-off the month with a tasting of some amazing Virginia wines from Lost Creek, Pollak, Early Mountain, Walsh Family, Barboursville, Linden, Gabriele Rausse, RdV, October One Vineyards and Thibaut Jannison. Tasting of ten (10) wines

Click here to register - $50 per person | $45 club member

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Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese Pairings
Sep
28
3:30 PM15:30

Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese Pairings

Both cheese and chocolate are delicious, complex, and nuanced. Both make you feel elated, but the ménage a trois—chocolate, cheese and wine—makes for a sensory-taste experience like no other. Tasting of 6 wines paired with a variety of cheese and chocolate.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 per club member

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Beyond Amarone - Styles of Valpolicella
Sep
25
7:00 PM19:00

Beyond Amarone - Styles of Valpolicella

Few regions have variety so baked into their identity as Valpolicella, however. The hallmark tasting notes – black cherry, cocoa powder and so on – will be found in all wines based on the region’s principle varietal, corvina, but the key to understanding them really lies in the various different ways and methods in which they are made. Tasting of six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 per club member

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Napa Valley vs Sonoma Wine Tasting
Sep
22
3:30 PM15:30

Napa Valley vs Sonoma Wine Tasting

The wines of Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are some of the best in California, the United States and the world. They are both in northern California and located right next to each other. So, you might ask “Is there really a difference between these two wine regions?” In a word, yes. Come explore why. Tasting of 6 wines.

Click Here to Register - $50 per person | $45 Club Member

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German & Alsatian Wines
Sep
18
7:00 PM19:00

German & Alsatian Wines

Alsace’s culture, architecture, language, food and wine are highly influenced by Germany because of its distinctive location and history and Alsatian winemakers have even adapted the German practice of labeling wines by grape variety rather than a place name. Join us as we compare these two culturally related regions with very different styles of wine. Tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 per club member

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Southern Hemisphere Wine Tasting
Sep
14
3:30 PM15:30

Southern Hemisphere Wine Tasting

The Southern Hemisphere offers some of the most delicious and affordable wines in the world. With its range of grapes and climates, the variety of wines produced south of the Equator is unparalleled. Taste wines from Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & Uruguay. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 Club Member

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Nebbiolo in a Nutshell Wine Tasting
Sep
10
7:00 PM19:00

Nebbiolo in a Nutshell Wine Tasting

Nebbiolo (“Nebby-oh-low”) is a full-bodied red wine more famously known by the two production regions of Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont, Italy. Nebbiolo wines are translucent (like Pinot!) and have a delicate smell, but when you taste them you are greeted with robust tannin and high acidity Tasting of 6 wines.

Click Here to Register - $50 per person | $45 Club Member

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Wine Simplified: Intro to Wine
Sep
5
7:00 PM19:00

Wine Simplified: Intro to Wine

A perfect course to get you started in the world of wine. A fun approachable introduction to topics like how to properly taste & assess wine, introduction to six noble grape varietals along with an overview of wine regions around the world. Course includes a tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Register - $45 per person | $40 per club member

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Wines of Greece
Aug
25
3:30 PM15:30

Wines of Greece

In the ancient world, Greece was once one of the foremost producers of wine. However, in contrast to the country’s important wine heritage, modern Greek wines are only recently reaching the rest of the world. These days, Greece offers outstanding wine value and new varieties to expand your palate! Tasting of 6 wines.

Click Here to Register - $45 per person | $40 Club Member

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Volcanic Wines
Aug
7
7:00 PM19:00

Volcanic Wines

Regions directly in range of a looming magmatic eruption, or soil filled with remaining expellants from volcanic explosions past, share something in common: the potential to grow some of the most mineral-laden and distinct wines on earth. And though Volcanic earth represents a mere 1% of the total surface of the planet, the grapes grown in this soil are vast and varied. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Register - $45 per person | $40 Club Member

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Textural White Wines of Italy
Aug
3
3:30 PM15:30

Textural White Wines of Italy

In white wines, “texture” as a description is more easily an indicator of particular grapes or blends of grapes (viognier, for example, has a distinctly different feel than pinot grigio), origin of the wine (such as gewürztraminer from Alsace, chardonnay from Alto Adige or friulano from Friuli), and treatment in the winery (skin contact, clay amphorae and oak vessels). Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 per club member

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Sparkling Wines from Surprising Places
Jul
28
3:30 PM15:30

Sparkling Wines from Surprising Places

What’s better than wine? Wine with bubbles, of course! The sparkling wine trend is booming. As prices rise for classic sparklers like Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, and sparkling wine from California, other regions and countries are emerging as new and unusual producers of high-quality bubbles. No longer is sparkling wine solely for special occasions; pop a bottle from one of these regions any day of the week! Tasting of 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 per club member

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