Wine Educational Tasting Series

Start your year fresh with a wine education series at Durant Vineyards. Designed for those newer to the world of wine (but can be enjoyed by wine veterans as well), we are offering four unique classes reviewing the basics of wine tasting, differences amongst varietals at Durant and the Willamette Valley as a whole, vineyard best practices and the process of making wine. This class will be curated and hosted by our very own wine educator Paul Mentzer.

Come to class ready to learn first hand what makes Durant Vineyards one of the premier winemakers in the Willamette Valley, all while sipping some of the greatest wines we have to offer. You will leave these classes confident and knowledgeable about the world-class wines this area has come to be known for.

Wine 101: Wine Tasting Basics – 2/20/2021
Whether this is your first-time wine tasting or you have been a fan of wine tasting for years, this class will walk you through an approachable yet thorough way to analyze and enjoy wines. After reviewing the various components of what gives wines their unique flavor profile, you will learn how to look, swirl, smell, sip, and describe your way through each wine. Though there is no one way to enjoy wine, the skills you leave with are certain to enhance your wine tasting experience in the class and beyond.

Meet Paul Mentzer
Following the award of his BSc from Purdue University in Horticulture, Paul Mentzer began his professional career in research at Purdue while simultaneously completing master’s level coursework in Entomology. Paul continued his career in geological sciences and technology until which time he discovered a latent interest in wine sparked through employment in wine sales in the Phoenix area commencing in 2001.