Stanley's Wine Class - The Many Faces of Pinot Noir - September 02, 2026, 6-7:30pm

Think you know Pinot Noir? Well, considering that the Pinot Noir vine has exceptionally high genetic instability and variability, which has naturally generated nearly 100 registered clonal variations, affecting everything from berry color, cluster structure, ripening time, and flavor profiles, it’s a tall order to fully understand this grape in any “expert” sense. Pinot is notoriously difficult to grow, thin-skinned and temperamental, and yet it produces some of the most profound and sought-after wines in the world. It can also be, in the wrong hands, an absolute tragedy.

In this class, we'll use Pinot Noir's chameleonic nature as the lens. We'll open with a Blanc de Noir sparkling wine — Pinot Noir vinified as white, under pressure — and a rosé that shows the grape's delicate pigmentation at work. From there, four expressions that cover the full range of what Pinot Noir can become depending on where it's grown, how it's farmed, and what the winemaker chooses not to do. Six wines, one grape, infinite variation, undeniable pleasure and adventure.

*Please note $10 of the class fee is a service charge that goes directly to the staff supporting the event. Admission includes tastes of six wines, instructional materials, snacks, and the $10 service charge.