SDSU Debuts Wine Education Abroad with Exclusive Wine & Cuisine Immersion in Spain

San Diego State University is offering a Professional Wine & Cuisine Immersion in the Catalonia, Rioja, and Basque regions of Spain on Oct. 9-17 as the first-ever trip in the new Wine Education Abroad division of its College of Extended Studies professional certificate program in the Business of Wine.

“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 this fascinating excursion.

Trip highlights include:
 Eating lunch at an old-century wine cave in Spain
 A Cava tasting course along with lunch and guided tour at a small, private Spanish winery
 Crushing grapes underfoot, tasting wine straight from a barrel, walking through vineyards by the sea, and 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 created relations 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 and open to all. 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, email wine@mail.sdsu.edu or visit neverstoplearning.net/winetravel

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).