At Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California, groups learn to detect the different aromas in wine through an educational session that lasts 45 minutes. Staffers use fruits, flowers, chocolates, nuts, and more to help guests develop their sense of smell while participants taste a selection of wines and describe the aromas they detect in them.
Also in Santa Ynez, Gypsy Studios hosts outings that invite corporate groups to paint in vineyards throughout the region. During the two-hour sessions, studio owner Christi Schaeffer leads guests through painting the surrounding landscapes with step-by-step guidance. All painting materials and aprons are provided, and guests are also treated to a glass of wine from the host winery. The activity can accommodate as many as 30 guests.
In Northern California, Napa Valley Bike Tours offers customized, abbreviated versions of its Classic Napa Valley and Classic Sonoma Valley wine tours for corporate groups. Lasting four to five hours, the tours let guests pedal bikes at a leisurely pace and include stops at two local wineries for tastings and a picnic lunch. The company can host groups of as many as 200 guests, and larger groups are split up for tours of from 10 to 12 riders each.
At City Winery in Chicago, corporate groups can participate in a private wine blending experience. A member of the winery leads guests through the hands-on activity, which lets participants taste different blending varietals and concoct their own blends based on personal tastes. Guests can also be divided into separate groups for a teambuilding activity that lets teams compete to create the best blend. The activity can accommodate as many as 75 guests and typically lasts two hours.
Known as the Standup Sommelier and the Wine Coach, Laurie Forster is a Maryland-based wine expert and comedian who leads teambuilding experiences for groups throughout the country. One of her offerings, "Something to Wine About," combines a one-hour comedy show with a wine tasting and includes audience participation and games. Throughout her act, Forster offers wine education. Group sizes vary depending on location.
Eat This, Shoot That organizes food, wine, and photo tours in Santa Barbara, California. During its roughly two-hour Wine and Photo Tour, groups wander through the historic El Paseo building, which houses six tasting rooms. Guests take frequent stops to sample small bites and locally made wines. Along the way, tour guides offer tips for taking better wine and food photos (guests tote along cameras or smartphones) and also share details of the region's history. The tour can accommodate as many as 14 guests per guide.
