09/15 IAN BLACKBURN, LEARN ABOUT WINE, WINE LA, BRANDON MAEDA, THE WESTIN KAANAPALI OCEAN RESORT VILLAS, PŪLEHU, “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN” AUTHOR, FRANCES MAYES, A TOAST TO TUSCANY

IAN BLACKBURN – FOUNDER, LEARN ABOUT WINE AND WINE LA 

Ian Blackburn, Professional Sommelier and Candidate for the Master of Wine drinks wine for a living and plans 100 public and private events a year.  Ian stays busy buying collectable wines for high profile clients, planning luxury wine trips for his audience, hosting corporate events, and studying for his Master of Wine.

Since 1995, LearnAboutWine has done the hard work of building a better culture for fine wine, opening the doors for more quality products to enter the marketplace and has taught over 800,000 students.  With a reach of over 80,000 current subscribers and followers, LearnAboutWine now focuses on the best quality events and classes, and wine credential programs which have graduated over 1000 wine students in the last 9 years with a Junior Wine Executive credential (JWE).   See what is happening NOW at our new website www.wineLA.com

Classes and Events
• Sat, Sept 26th – Bordeaux vs Napa vs The World – a Cabernet Taste off!  Hutchinson
• Sun, Sept 27th – LearnAboutWine School – 4-week Credential Program – Hutchinson
• Mon, Sept 28th - LearnAboutWine School – 4-week Credential Program – Faith & Flower
• Sat, October 3rd – Wine Business 101 – I want to work in the wine business – Downtown
• Sat, October 3rd  - LA Opera on the Pier – Santa Monica Pier
• Sat, October 10th – Wine Camp – Introduction to Wine – Eat.Drink.Americano – Downtown
• Wed, Oct 21 – Tasting South American – Argentina and Chile at PENINSULA (40 wineries)

Wine Travel and Adventures
• November 2015 – We visit Greece!  (Now accepting deposits)
• Jan 29, 30 - 2016 – Annual trip to Napa Valley (interest list) (optional date Jan 28th  additional)
• April 2016 – Sicily, Italy April 2-9 (interest list)

Credential Programs 
LAW SCHOOL – LearnAboutWine School – Wine Credential Program
Sundays starting Sept 27 or Monday’s starting Sept 28th  - for four consecutive weeks.  
4-class program that provides consumers & trade professionals with credential education and results in worldwide wine competency.   Course includes: Tasting Instruction, Taste approx 100 wines, Professional Educator, Professional textbook, Exam & Credential Certificate & Pin  
$395 Advanced  - perfect for pre-CSW, pre-Somm School, or for the passionate consumer

CSW PREP - ADVANCED Wine Certification – SUNDAYS in Oct/Nov 10.25, 11.1, 11.8, 11.15 and call in fifth session.   The Society of wine educators CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) program is now an industry standard and a great way to advance your love and appreciation of the world of wine.  Price includes 10 sessions (5 dates – 2 sessions per date currently), two books, wine tasting, 20 hours of instruction and tasting enhancement.  You also can sit for your CSW exam (valued at $600) inclusive in this program $1095.00 (Special price / $1295 regular)

WWW.LEARNABOUTWINE.COM
WWW.WINELA.COM


BRANDON MAEDA - FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR, THE WESTIN KAANAPALI OCEAN RESORT VILLAS - A TOAST TO TUSCANY 

PŪLEHU, AN ITALIAN GRILL INVITES YOU TO TOAST TUSCANY WITH “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN” AUTHOR, FRANCES MAYES 

Event tickets and room packages now available through The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Kā‘anapali, Hawai‘i – This September, un-wine-d at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas. The AAA four diamond resort today announced that its award-winning Italian restaurant, Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, will host “A Toast to Tuscany” on Sept. 23 at 6:00 p.m. with Frances Mayes, author of the New York Times bestseller, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” This culinary and wine experience will feature Mayes’ wine label, Tuscan Sun Wines. In celebration of “A Toast to Tuscany,” the resort has also announced two room packages, one which provides 15 percent off of villas booked at westinkaanapali.com.

“A Toast to Tuscany” will feature a four-course dinner designed by both the restaurant’s recently appointed chef de cuisine, Alvin Savella, and the resort’s executive sous chef, Matt Skaletsky. The menu will be paired with Tuscan Sun Wines, which will be added to Pūlehu’s thoughtfully collected wine list post event. “A Toast to Tuscany” will also include a meet and greet with Mayes and a screening of the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Tickets are available for $125 per person. To purchase, please visit honoluluboxoffice.com or call 808-667-3254.

In celebration of “A Toast to Tuscany," The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas has announced two room packages: TOAST TUSCANY and TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE. TOAST TUSCANY offers great savings with 15 percent off of studios, 1-bedroom villas and 2-bedroom villas at the time of booking on westinkaanapali.com. It also includes a bottle of Tuscan Sun Wines in your room upon arrival and two tickets to “A Toast to Tuscany.” The length of stay is flexible but the trip must include the event date of Sept. 23, 2015. Please note, ticket charges will not appear in your online cart at time of purchase but will automatically be charged at resort check-in. This package is limited.  The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas also offers TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE. This package includes a thoughtful selection of wine and a gourmet charcuterie board and cheese display in your ocean-view villa upon arrival. It also features two tickets to “A Toast to Tuscany.” In addition, TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE offers a private, ocean-front dinner for two, complete with a live musician and personal chef who will prepare a culinary experience to remember. Top off your stay with The Wine Down Body Wrap and Mini-Facial for two at Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin. This treatment uses products from Farmhouse Fresh featuring resveratrol from winery grapes designed to help renew your skin. The TOAST TUSCANY DELUXE package has a minimum three night length of stay. Stay dates are flexible but must include the event date of Sept. 23, 2015. This exclusive package starts at $4,700 and is limited. Please call 808-662-2614 for more information.

Winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2015, 2014 and 2013, and Gold ‘Aipono Award for Best Italian from Maui No Ka Oi Magazine for three consecutive years (2015, 2014 and 2013), Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, presents classic Italian cuisine perfected and served with a local, sustainable twist. It is open Thursdays – Mondays from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit pulehurestaurantmaui.com or call 808-667-3254.

About Pūlehu, an Italian Grill 
Winner of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s ‘Aipono Award for Best Italian (Gold) in 2015, 2014 and 2013, Pūlehu presents classic Italian cuisine perfected and served with a local sustainable twist. Overlooking the koi pond gardens of The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, the restaurant is famed for its delicious pastas and pizzas prepared in a woodstone oven. The resort’s talented chefs have also partnered with local farmers to present signature touches to the menu that boasts fresh catch and homegrown ingredients. Menu specials include award-winning Molokai Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Duetto of Bruschetta, Poached Kaua’i Prawns, Risotto Crusted Pesce (island catch), Eggplant Caponata and Lasagna. Pūlehu, which means to cook over an open flame in Hawaiian, is highly-popular for its affordable 3-course Menu, extensive wine list and wine pairing dinner events. A private room is available for special occasions. Free self-parking. Visit pulehurestaurantmaui.com.

About The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas 
Located on 26 oceanfront acres of North Kā‘anapali Beach, The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas provide spacious villa accommodations with Westin amenities such as the Heavenly Bed, whirlpool tubs, fully equipped kitchens and washers/dryers. The resort also offers convenient outdoor grilling areas, general stores with a deli, excellent restaurants and bars, outdoor pools, Westin Kids Club, full-service Spa Helani, golf and resort activities for all ages. Other fun pursuits such as whale watching (November to April), catamaran sailing adventures, hiking, horseback riding and championship golfing are easily accessible. The resort also offers a multitude of watersport activities, as well as complimentary shuttle services to Lahaina town. Visit westinkaanapali.com.

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