Take the Leap

Elevate your next wine night, date night, or holiday party by adding a vertical tasting element.

For those unfamiliar, "verticals" are different vintages of the same wine. It is a truly unique experience that will allow your guests to enhance their understanding of the many factors that play subtle roles in a single wine.

Hosting a vertical wine tasting is a fun way to entertain your guests; it can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Vertical tastings are excellent because they allow participants of all wine knowledge levels to try different vintages of the same wine and discuss them with each other. Everyone can learn and gain new perspectives while having a great time.

Your Guide to Hosting a Vertical Wine Tasting Party

The Wine

Purchase three bottles of the same wine from the same winery but different vintages. Purchasing the three wines will allow your party to see how dramatically or subtly wine changes from year to year. Our Audentia Cabernet Vertical is an excellent option for your party, crafted from our Estate’s finest grapes.

The Setting

As you set up for your vertical tasting, avoid putting out any flowers or candles, as the aromas can interfere with your tasting. You may also want to include mood lighting and background music. Set up one glass of each wine for each guest; in this case, each guest would have three glasses.

The Tasting

When it’s time to taste, start with a two-ounce pour in each glass. Begin with the youngest wine on the left and the oldest on the right, then work your way as a group through tasting each wine. Have a pencil and paper for your guests to write down their thoughts.

The Food

The addition of food can take your vertical tasting to the next level. As you take your initial sips, a bite of a non-flavored cracker between wines can act as a palate cleanser. You should always take at least two sips when tasting a new wine. This will allow your palate to adjust and detect all of the subtle differences between each vintage. When you are done sipping each wine at least twice, adding a cheese and charcuterie board pairing can be a lovely way to bring out additional characteristics of the wines.

The Conversation

Have the winemaking notes available; you can find them on our website for each wine, along with vineyard and vintage information. Encourage conversations as you taste each wine and pour your guests a glass of their favorite at the end.

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To create a better experience for you across all of our brands, we’ll check this info with accounts across the Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio of brands: Beringer, Beaulieu Vineyard, Etude, Hewitt Vineyard, Stags' Leap, Sterling, Penfolds, and The Wine Shop.

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Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio

To create a better experience for you across all of our brands, we’ll check this info with accounts across the Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio of brands: Beringer, Beaulieu Vineyards, Etude, Stags' Leap Winery, Sterling Vineyards, Penfolds, and The Wine Shop.

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Complimentary Tastings, Priority Access, Exclusive Events, and More!

Host a Vertical Wine Tasting Party

Take the leap and elevate your next wine night with a Stags' Leap vertical tasting.

Take the Leap

Your Guide to Hosting a Vertical Wine Tasting Party

The Wine

The Setting

The Tasting

The Food

The Conversation

Explore our Collection

Visit Napa Valley

Shop Customer Favorites

Welcome, !

Thanks for creating an account.

Visit Napa Valley

Corporate Gifting

Visit Napa Valley

Complimentary Tastings, Priority Access, Exclusive Events, and More!

Host a Vertical Wine Tasting Party

Take the leap and elevate your next wine night with a Stags' Leap vertical tasting.

Take the Leap

Your Guide to Hosting a Vertical Wine Tasting Party

The Wine

The Setting

The Tasting

The Food

The Conversation

Explore our Collection

Visit Napa Valley

Shop Customer Favorites

Login or Register

Login

Create a New Account

Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio

Sign Up

CREATE AN ACCOUNT

Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio

Welcome, !

Thanks for creating an account.

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