Glasses of Champagne being poured at an event

Program & Schedule

Program & Schedule

  • 2 pm to 3 pm — The first hour is a structured wine education session that blends essential wine law insights with a guided appreciation of each pour. Guests will explore key regulations, deepen their understanding of wine craftsmanship, and refine their tasting skills in an engaging, informative setting.
  • 3 pm to 4:30 pm — The second half is a relaxed, open-format tasting where guests can mingle, revisit wines, and engage in casual conversations at their own pace. It’s a social hour designed for connection, enjoyment, and appreciation of the wines in good company.

From Vineyard to Glass: Wine Law and Wine Appreciation

A Legal and Sensory Exploration Featuring European and California Wines

This one-hour course is designed for lawyers and legal professionals who want to explore how national and international wine laws shape the wines we enjoy. Through a guided tasting of two European wines and two California wines, we’ll examine how different legal frameworks govern the production, classification, labeling, and sale of wine — and how those frameworks manifest in the glass.

Using real-world examples and sensory comparisons, the course highlights how regulatory choices — from France's appellation rules to the U.S. three-tier system — affect everything from what appears on a label to how the wine is sold and shipped. Alongside tasting and discussion, participants will gain insights into cross-border issues, compliance risks, and labeling constraints that affect producers, importers, and retailers alike.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Key differences between EU and U.S. systems of wine classification, including appellations and AVAs
  • How legal definitions of varietals, geographic indicators, and production methods shape consumer expectations
  • The role of national authorities (e.g., INAO, TTB) in regulating labeling and trade
  • How estate bottled designations, blending restrictions, and origin claims are policed
  • Overview of export/import restrictions, compliance concerns, and recent enforcement trends
  • The impact of the three-tier distribution system and tied house laws on domestic wine commerce

What You’ll Experience:

  • A comparative tasting of four wines, structured to reveal how legal systems influence style and identity
  • Real-time discussion of how each wine navigated legal and logistical hurdles to reach your glass
  • A unique chance to taste legal theory — and its consequences — through wine