The course will debut Wine Education Abroad, an exclusive wine and cuisine immersion program in Spain.
SAN DIEGO (February 2, 2015) — San Diego State University is offering a Professional Wine and Cuisine Immersion in the Catalonia, Rioja and Basque regions of Spain. The trip is the first in the new Wine Education Abroad division of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies professional certificate program in the Business of Wine. The program will take place Oct. 9 through 17.
“If you ever wanted to explore the wine and food of Spain, have someone take you to places you cannot get to on your own, and experience the essence and heart of three Spanish areas, this trip is for you,” said Deborah Lazear, CSW, a certified Spanish wine educator who will provide 12 hours of instruction during the excursion.
Trip highlights include:
- Eating lunch at an old-century wine cave
- A Cava tasting course along with lunch and guided tour at a small, private winery
- Crushing grapes underfoot, tasting wine straight from a barrel and walking through vineyards by the sea
- Discovering the best-kept Basque secrets of producing and serving cider
The tour is led by Spanish guide Ana Gabriela Serra, who specializes in providing tailored itineraries in this region.
“This trip is very exclusive,” Lazear said. “Our tour guide has relationships with wineries that are not open to the public but will be open to us.”
Students will travel by private transportation, enjoy private sommelier-level tours, experience private tours of vineyards and museums, and have private daily wine classes. Their instruction time will count toward one elective or intensive course in the Business of Wine program.
“Spain is not new world; it’s old world,” Lazear said. “Students will get a first-hand experience of how history has molded wine in Spain and influenced the world.”
The experience is limited to 16 participants but anyone can apply to attend. The cost per person is $4,227 (double occupancy) or $5,117 (single occupancy). This price is based on 12 participants and will decrease if more than 12 register. Airfare is not included. The first trip deposit is due March 2.
For more information, visit neverstoplearning.net/winetravel.
SDSU’s College of Extended Studies
SDSU’s College of Extended Studies reaches out to San Diego, the nation, and the world with a wide variety of lifelong learning opportunities, and more than 50 certificate programs for career advancement. Topics range from contract management, construction, and craft beer, to grant writing, marketing, and human resources. And many programs are available online. The CES also offers one of the largest ESL programs in the U.S. through the American Language Institute; and university-quality courses to students age 50 and better through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Other opportunities include seminars, study abroad, corporate education and access to regular SDSU classes through Open University. For more information or to register, visit neverstoplearning.net or call (619) 265-7378 (SDSU).
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a major public research institution offering bachelor’s degrees in 89 areas, master’s degrees in 78 areas and doctorates in 21 areas. The university provides transformative experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, for its 34,000 students. Students participate in research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. The university’s rich campus life features opportunities for students to participate in, and engage with, the creative and performing arts, a Division I athletics program and the vibrant cultural life of the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.
