What Your Nose Knows: A Wine Sensory Afternoon at Great Bear Vineyards

 Saturday, May 23
 12:30–4:30pm

Most of us drink wine. Far fewer of us truly taste it.

Join us at Great Bear Vineyards for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience designed to unlock the hidden language of wine — and train your palate like a pro.

Led by renowned winemaking consultant and UC Davis lecturer Zoran Ljepovic, this immersive afternoon workshop will take you beyond “I like this wine” to understanding exactly why you like it. Using a professional Wine Aroma Kit and wines from the Great Bear cellar, you’ll explore the fascinating aromas and flavors that define exceptional wines.

 During this hands-on experience, you’ll learn:
 How to taste wine like a professional
 The difference between primary, secondary & tertiary aromas
 How fermentation, aging, and barrel time shape flavor
 How to identify common wine faults with confidence
 Structured sensory evaluation techniques used by experts

 The afternoon also includes a guided tasting of six or more wines from the Great Bear portfolio, featuring whites, rosé, and reds.

We’ll follow the classic:
 See →  Swirl →  Sniff →  Sip →  Spit

Please arrive fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, or scented lotions) so every nose in the room can perform at its best!

 Even better: all profits benefit DEVO, a student-led nonprofit working alongside the UC Davis Department of Viticulture & Enology to support future wine industry professionals.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a devoted wine lover, this is an unforgettable afternoon of discovery, education, and delicious wine.