Mark Phillips,

Mark Phillips is one of the most popular wine speakers in the nation. His irreverent approach and humorous delivery makes each talk an entertaining educational experience. He was "discovered" by a public television executive who was convinced Mark was just the person Americans needed to teach them about wine. His PBS show made its debut in March 2006 and has broken all records. No group is too small or too big. Mark has conducted wine tastings for 2 people up to 3000. And with the price as low as $15 per person, it's quite affordable. Contact Mark to find out which of his unique wine tasting formats is right for your group.

More info:

Available to travel.

• m.phillips@winetasting.org
• www.winetasting.org
• 630-592-4107

Patrick W Fegan

Year-round 5 week courses and 1-night seminars ranging from the basic to the advanced levels.

More info:

1942 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60608

• pwfegan@aol.com
• wineschool.com
• 312-491-0284

Krunch Kretschmar,Ph.D

Krunch Kretschmar, Ph.D. is one of 24 International Grand Confrerie Sommelier�s in the world. This elite group serves world leaders, heads of state and Fortune 500 members. Krunch brings his love of wine to life through engaging & educational wine tasting, classes and consultation. He�s been a featured guest on the CBS2 news to discuss theme-based wine parties. Krunch�s expertise also been tapped for wine investments, personal cellar consultation, restaurants, benefit auctions & up-scale wine retail. Krunch conducts entertaining wine tasting for large & small parties and looks forward to helping you make your next wine venture a memorable one. Cheers!

More info:

3332 W. Foster Ave. #345
Chicago, IL. 60625

• Ekrunch@gmail.com
• 773-782-6706

Tom DiNardo - The Wine Zealot

Tom DiNardo has worked in the wine industry in both California and Washington. With a reverence for the grape, Tom continues his passionate pursuit today as a wine consultant and educator who teaches others about oenology and wine collecting. Mr. DiNardo is a sommelier diplomate with the International Sommelier Guild and a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He is a freelance writer for Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, Santé and Wine Adventure Magazines, and is a regular contributor to Wine Squire.com and WineandSpiritsJobs.com. Tom is a featured auctioneer for Chicago based ERI wine auction gallery, and has sold some of the finest and rarest wines from around the world. Mr. DiNardo is also a certified master appraiser. Through these unique experiences, Tom has gained invaluable knowledge about the wine industry.

Prior to his wine immersion experience, Tom DiNardo founded DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers in 1993. A true entrepreneur and veteran charity auctioneer, Mr. DiNardo now had a unique opportunity to marry both his passion for wine and fund-raising auctions together in pioneering what is today one of the most exciting and newly emerging trends: charity wine auctions. Since its founding, DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers has achieved an outstanding reputation for fund-raising, record setting auction revenues (5 world records), and client satisfaction. Tom has been a featured auctioneer on TLC's "Wrecks to Riches" television program. DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers is ranked as one of the “Top 4 fundraising auction firms" in the nation, and Tom DiNardo has been referred to as "one of the nation’s preeminent charity wine auctioneers.” Tom welcomes the opportunity to serve your organization. Visit my Auction Calendar.

More info:

PO Box #11

Lynden, WA 98264

• info@DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com
• www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com
• 888-503-0828

Just Grapes

Our wine education program focuses on keeping it simple, fun and functional. Our program includes wine courses and private tastings (on-site or at your home or business). We offer a wide variety of wine courses for all levels including the dabbler curious to learn more, corporate executive wanting to feel more confident ordering wine at a restaurant or an enthusiast looking to continue to pursue their passion. All course material is accessible online 24/7 to allow you the convenience of learning about wine on your schedule. We complement each course with a live in store tasting to demonstrate the information you learn online with a focus on real word application of wine. You can either attend the scheduled tasting for each course or utilized our revolutionary self-serve tasting machine at taste at your own pace. Call now to take one of our wine courses. Our private tasting program is perfect for corporate entertaining, team building, holiday party or just some good friends getting together to sip some wine. The private tastings are led by our knowledgeable and friendly wine education team. We conduct our tastings on-site in our full facility Private Cellar equipped with LCD, 8x6 screen, wireless internet, full audio and decorated with 30 American Oak barrels. We also offer private tasting at your home or business. We offer a full service and drop off catering menu to complement any private event. Call us now to book your own private tasting.

More info:

560 W Washington Blvd #100, Chicago, IL 60661

• wineguy@justgrapes.net
• www.justgrapes.net
• 312-627-1845

WineKnow Productions

At home, work, off-site meeting or party, WineKnow Productions is your full service wine edutainment and catering source. Offering creative, informative and fun integrated wine-based productions for 1 to 50 people, WineKnow Productions will create a customized event based around a variety of package options that will ‘wow’ your guests, co-workers or friends.

More info:

1907 N. Milwuakee Ave., #206
Chicago, IL 60647

• rls@winesellersltd.com
• 8472753918

Winediva Enterprises

Learn to swirl, sniff, and sip like a pro in no time! Whether you are throwing a couple's shower, an elegant dinner party, or an educational event for your sales staff and clients, Winediva can customize a tasting that will be perfect for your group. You choose the venue, you choose the theme, you choose the wine budget. Christine Blumer, former Director of Wine Education for Sam's Wine & Spirits, leads you through tastings that are about fun and a bit of education along the way. There is no sales pitch of any kind and information is tailored to all skill levels. The focus is on you and your guests.

More info:

• winedivaent@msn.com
• winedivaent.com
• 312-343-DIVA

American Wine School, Marianne Frantz CWE

American Wine School, a satellite of Cleveland Wine School, is an Approved Programme Provider for the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Founded in 1969, WSET is the world's leading program. www.americanwineschool.com

More info:

American Wine School Satellite Locations:
Talbot Hotel
20 East Delaware Place
Chicago, IL

Fairfield Inn & Suites
216 East Ontario St
Chicago, IL

• mfrantz@americanwineschool.com
• www.americanwineschool.com
• 216-831-9919

Candid Wines

Damien Casten lived and worked in France for four years before deciding he enjoyed the post-meeting meals more than the meetings themselves. After formal training at the New England Culinary Institute he cooked for two years in Paris, including a stint at the Michelin three star Lucas Carton. He recently co-founded Candid Wines with an equally gourmand partner where he organizes unique food and wine experiences for busy professionals in the Chicago area. Candid specializes in pairing its own hand selected wines from around the world with the creations of some of Chicagoland’s best chefs.

More info:

• candidwines@yahoo.com
• 630.485.0860

Chicago Wine Council

President Tom Zullo and the Chicago Wine Council are Chicago's friendly and most welcoming educators the city of Chicago has seen . . . No high brow types here! We are the wine school without the "school" . . .no grades, just education and many wines to sip! About us: Since 1999, we have been educating the Wine Curious and the Wine Educated located in Chicago. Our wine forums are well organized and considered social in nature. We have lowered the "wine bar" so you can learn easily without stress or pressure to know what "is" OR 'is not" a great wine. Our "trademark "Wine Diary" has become a standard in tasting wines and wine education. To everyone's benefit, our educational events are open to all. To register, just go to our website, www.chicagowinecouncil.com and provide us your email and we will keep you informed of our next time we gather to swirl, sip and learn!

More info:

3319 N. Seminary Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

• chicagowinecouncil@gmail.com
• www.chicagowinecouncil.com
• 773 687-0784

DiCarlo's Fine Wine and Spirits

Mike DiCarlo from DiCarlo's is now offering "Vineyard Tours @ Home" where he will present wine seminars right in your home. You can learn about food and wine pairings as well as learn about the many varieties of wine. For more information, call Mike or go to the website and click on "Vineyard Tours @ Home".

More info:

425 Townline Road
Mundelein, IL 60060

• mike@dicarlofinewine.com
• www.dicarlofinewine.com
• 847-566-4600

Vino di Savino

Vino di Savino is passionate about wine and passionate about sharing our knowledge with you! We bring the world of wines to your doorstep by organizing private tastings in your home or place of business. You don't have to be an avid traveler or even own a passport to experience the world. We'll pop open and serve you a bottle of wine from the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, France, or a Barolo or Barbaresco from Piedmont, Italy, and you will instantly be transported to the beautiful rolling hills and vineyards of these major wine producing regions and countries. Through private wine tasting parties and events, it is our mission to educate others about wines from around the world, and to make the process fun, unintimidating and easy, all within a relaxed and comfortable setting. We can customize any event to meet your needs and provide a Sommelier to provide the knowledge and experience to make your event a success. Contact us for more information.

More info:

• vinodisavino@hotmail.com
• www.vinodisavino.com
• 312-560-5747

Era of Elegance

Era of Elegance is a small woman-owned company focused on offering the best in wine and food education. We believe that wine education should be fun and accessible to everyone. We show you how to pair great wines with your favorite dishes so that you can impress your guests at your next party, picnic, or BYOB adventure. In addition to offering educational classes to the public, we also offer catering and wine pairing services and educational seminars for private groups, non-profits, businesses, and other organizations.

More info:

Let Them Eat Chocolate
5306 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL

• ridgely@eraofelegance.org
• www.eraofelegance.org
• 773-447-2047

Wine Goddess Consulting

Wine Goddess Consulting offers private wine tastings and seminars for individuals, private parties, and businesses. Tastings focus on fun and are led by Diana Hamann, one of the original wine merchants at Napa's Wine.com, and previously the Wine & Spirits Director for Chicago's Le Colonial and Japonais restaurants. Please see www.winegoddess.com for more info.

More info:

• info@winegoddess.com
• www.winegoddess.com
• 773-547-3685

Mike Ganino

Wine should be fun! Take back the cork and enjoy the bottle. Wine education for 1-100 on topics ranging from basic tasting rules to country specific tours.

More info:

Chicago, Il 60625

• mike.ganino@yahoo.com
• 312-730-5242

Charles Schneider

History, Geography, and an unquenchable desire for drink has guided me in the journey to learn and inform on the ever changing landscape of wine, spirits, beer and food. I combine my degree in education, Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a dash of "Grandpa's story tellin'" to provide fun and informative tastings for all.

More info:

2036 N Bissell
Garden Unit
Chicago, IL
60614

• cschneider76@gmail.com
• 9135303550

Chicago Wine Concierge

The Chicago Wine Concierge provides wine education/sommelier service, personal wine shopping, rare wine procurement, and wine cellar management and consulting services to collectors, busy professionals and businesses. We can help wine enthusiasts build a world class collection or inventory and organize existing collections. We work with individuals to help them select wines for a special occasion and with restaurants to help them develop a spectacular wine program. Anything related to wine, we can provide.

More info:

Chicago, IL

• wineconcierge@mac.com
• 773-330-5779