Gibbston Valley Wines international sales manager Claudio Heyes and Queenstown Resort College sommelier and wine tutor Paul Tudgay are planning a wine-tasting course aimed at making wine fun.
Their "Welcome to Wine" classes will introduce people to different wine styles, demonstrate how to appreciate and taste wine and what food goes best with different varieties.
With four tastings per class, participants will experience wines alongside each other and learn about the regional differences which make wine distinctive.
Mr Tudgay hopes people will be challenged to look at wines in a different way.
"People often link into one variety and stick to it for years," Mr Tudgay says.
"We want to give them some practical information, such as storage, how long wine can keep in the cellar and demystify some of the complicated language."
The pair are keeping class sizes small - "around 12 people" - so they can adapt the course to what people want to know.
They are already thinking a second course could start in September, if there is enough demand.
The four-week course begins on August 7.
"We aim to get maximum enjoyment out of the month," Mr Heyes says.
To find out more about the Welcome to Wine course, contact Queenstown Resort College reception on 409-0500.
