Vineyard rows and wildflowers on a hillside overlooking a lake

Tastings

Guided wine experiences, wherever you are

Turn your dining table, patio, office, or rental home into a relaxed tasting evening. Manuel brings the wine knowledge and the structure, you bring the guests.

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Private • Educational • Thoughtfully Curated

Our in-home wine tastings are designed to meet you and your guests where you are. Whether you're new to wine or looking to deepen your understanding of regions, styles, and quality, each experience is built around education, engagement, and confidence, with a relaxed and approachable format.

Guided by a WSET Level 3 sommelierWine sourcing availablePrivate parties and company eventsBring your own venueTransparent, upfront pricing

Experiences

Choose your tasting

Every experience is guided in person for private parties, company events, and any venue you choose. See the pricing below, then get in touch to start planning.

Experience 01

Intro to Tasting Experience

The Intro to Tasting Experience is designed to build confidence and curiosity around wine. This guided session introduces a structured, approachable way to taste and talk about wine so you can better understand your own preferences and communicate them with confidence. The focus is on fundamentals: how to observe, smell, taste, and describe wine, without intimidation or jargon.

Format

Typically features 3 to 5 wines, guided in a classroom-style tasting with open discussion and questions encouraged.

What's included

Guided tasting using a structured approach
Instruction on the 5 S's of tasting (See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, Savor)
Introduction to basic wine characteristics (acid, tannin, body, sweetness)
Vocabulary development to help articulate preferences
A curated wine selection aligned to your goals, with optional wine sourcing

Who it's for

Beginners and casual wine drinkers
Anyone who wants to feel more confident ordering or buying wine
Groups looking for an educational but relaxed experience

Experience 02

Theme-Based Tasting Experience

The Theme-Based Tasting Experience explores wine through a focused lens, such as a region, grape variety, style, or comparative concept. These tastings are designed to deepen understanding while keeping the experience engaging and conversational. Each theme is curated to highlight contrasts, patterns, and storytelling that bring the wines to life.

Format

Typically features 4 to 6 wines, structured as a guided tasting with storytelling, discussion, and comparative analysis.

What's included

A curated wine lineup built around a specific theme
Context on regions, grapes, climate, and winemaking styles
Guided tasting and discussion highlighting similarities and differences
Flavor and style takeaways to help inform future wine choices
Optional wine sourcing, with wines curated to fit your theme and budget

Who it's for

Wine enthusiasts looking to expand their palate
Returning clients who have completed an Intro to Tasting
Groups interested in learning through comparison and exploration

Experience 03

Food Pairing & At-Home Dinner Experience

The Food Pairing Experience integrates wine seamlessly into an at-home dining experience. Wines are thoughtfully curated to complement your menu (wine sourcing is available), enhance each course, and elevate the overall flow of the evening. This experience focuses on how wine and food interact, and how thoughtful pairing can transform a meal.

Format

Wine selections are paired by course and enjoyed alongside the meal, with optional guided commentary woven naturally into the dining experience.

What's included

Professionally curated wines paired to each course
Optional wine sourcing for the dinner, with wines selected to match your menu
Quantity planning based on guest count and pacing
Pairing notes and light guidance throughout the evening

Who it's for

Hosts planning dinner parties or special occasions
Clients who want a polished, end-to-end wine experience
Anyone interested in understanding how food and wine work together

Pricing

Simple, upfront pricing

Two fees cover the tasting and, if you choose it, the wine sourcing. Wine itself is billed separately at retail cost.

Professional tasting fee

$100per hour

2 hour minimum ($200)

This fee includes

Guided tasting led by a WSET trained wine professional
Customized theme and session design based on your interests
Structured tasting format with guided discussion
Educational context on regions, styles, producers, and winemaking
Setup, hosting, and facilitation throughout the tasting

Most tastings run 2 to 2.5 hours, though timing may vary with group size, topics, number of wines, and depth of discussion.

Wine sourcing and handling

Strongly recommended

$50flat fee

You are welcome to provide your own wine, but many clients choose to have it professionally sourced for a cohesive, well paced tasting.

This service includes

Curated wine selection aligned to your theme and budget
Purchasing and coordinating wines for the tasting
Transportation and proper handling of bottles

Wine costs and the flat fee are billed separately at retail cost and confirmed in advance.

Wine selection guidelines

A minimum of 3 distinct wines is required for all tastings
The total number of bottles is set by guest count and number of wines, so pours and pacing stay appropriate
Wine quantity and style are discussed in advance as part of the planning process

What to expect

Built around your group

What to expect

Every tasting is fully customized and may include:

Guided tasting using a systematic, easy to follow approach
Insight into producers, regions, climate, and winemaking decisions
Interactive discussion and Q&A throughout the session

Customization options

All tastings are customized. These elements can be built around your group's interests and learning goals, and all are included in the professional tasting fee:

Blind tasting formats
Comparative tastings (including Premium vs. Value)
Advanced or WSET style deductive tasting approaches
Food pairing guidance and discussion

Glassware and educational tools

Professional tasting glassware available for groups of up to 12 guests
Laminated WSET Level 2 SAT lexicon cards used during the guided tasting
Aroma and flavor wheels to support aroma and flavor identification
Educational materials are provided for in session use only

Group details

Ideal group size is 6 to 14 guests
Tastings are educational in nature and focused on responsible enjoyment

How it works

What's included, what you provide

Manuel Patterson sipping a glass of white wine between vineyard rows with mountains behind — Limoges Cellars, Cleveland, Georgia

Included

What Manuel brings

Setup, hosting, and facilitation throughout the tasting
Professional tasting glassware for groups of up to 12 guests
WSET Level 2 SAT lexicon cards and aroma and flavor wheels
Wine sourcing, purchasing, and transport if you choose it

Your part

What you provide

A suitable tasting space with a table or surface for guests and glasses
Water for guests, plus light palate cleansers if desired
Your guest list, ready to taste and ask questions

In the room

What a tasting looks like

A relaxed pour, a few good bottles, and guests who end up swapping opinions.

Guests laughing together with glasses of white wine on a shaded patio

Red wine being poured into a glass held by a smiling guest beside a pool

Three bottles of wine lined up on a stone counter with a glass of white wine and a snack plate

Manuel Patterson pouring white wine into a row of glasses at an outdoor bar

A bottle of sparkling wine being poured into glasses on a granite counter

Manuel Patterson arranging glasses and bottles at an outdoor bar before a tasting

Manuel Patterson pouring white wine for guests holding glasses in a home kitchen

A rosé, a white and a blanc de blancs standing on a kitchen island with guests chatting behind

A long wooden board of cured meats, cheeses, fruit and edible flowers beside sliced baguette

Manuel Patterson explaining a wine to a group of guests gathered around an outdoor bar

A group of guests holding wine glasses and listening to Manuel Patterson on a covered patio

Manuel Patterson presenting a wine to guests standing around a kitchen island

A group of smiling guests holding wine glasses posing around a table with Manuel Patterson

FAQ

Questions about tastings

How much does a private wine tasting cost?

The professional tasting fee is $100 per hour with a 2 hour minimum ($200). Optional wine sourcing and handling is a $50 flat fee. Wine itself is billed separately at retail cost.

How long does a wine tasting last?

Most tastings run 2 to 2.5 hours, though timing varies with group size, topics, number of wines, and depth of discussion.

How many guests can attend?

The ideal group size is 6 to 14 guests. Professional tasting glassware is available for groups of up to 12 guests.

Where does Manuel host tastings?

Anywhere you choose, including a dining table, patio, office, or rental home. Manuel serves the Atlanta metro area and is available for travel.

Do I have to buy the wine through Manuel?

No. You are welcome to provide your own wine, but many clients choose professional sourcing for a cohesive, well paced tasting.

How many wines are in a tasting?

A minimum of 3 distinct wines is required. An Intro to Tasting typically features 3 to 5 wines and a Theme-Based Tasting typically features 4 to 6.

What do I need to provide?

A suitable tasting space with a table or surface for guests and glasses, water for guests, and your guest list. Manuel brings setup, hosting, and glassware.

Learning at the source

Stories from the cellar

Time spent in cellars and vineyards is where the stories behind the bottles come from.

Taylor Port House Cellar

Know better. Drink better.

Each tasting is thoughtfully designed for your group and occasion. To ask about availability or start planning, please get in touch.

Check dates and get a quote