• Key events in California wine history and identification of key figures who helped shape the state’s wine industry
• Geographically important factors and phenomena that affect winemaking in the region, such as rivers, mountain ranges, including the Coastal Range, Mayacamas Mountains, Vaca Range and Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Deep dive into seven of California’s most important grape varieties with a focus on site and distinct flavor profiles.
• The Year in the Vineyard; the annual life cycle of the vine and review of related terms, flowering, bud break, véraison, trellis, pruning, green harvest, harvest time, etc.
• The basics of winemaking, barrel binding (French vs. American vs. other European oak) and how the wine style is affected by the choice of oak.
• Deep dive into California’s historic AVAs in the Lodi and Sacramento Deltas; Mendocino County, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Monterey County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.