EVENT DISCLAIMER: For events that require reservations, you will see a sign up request at the bottom of this page. To secure a reservation, please fill out the form and click Sign Up. After we recieve your request we will call you to confirm availability and secure payment information. Please make certain you can attend as cancellations will not be accepted. If there is a waiting list for a class we will attempt to find a replacement for your slot. We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a class because of insufficient enrollment. We may substitute wines based on availablity. Our classes are for adults over the age of 21.

A 10% discount on retail store items will be given to students on the day of their class with the exception of wine, Riedel and sale item purchases. If you have questions or would like to RSVP for an event, please call 412-391-1709.

Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners “Grapetastic” Wine Tasting!

Friday, July 10 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM

For many years Palate Partners and Dreadnought Wines in Pittsburgh's Strip District have been giving wine lovers the opportunity to try specialty wines before buying them at their First and Third Friday Wine Tastings at their store at 2013 Penn Avenue.  In a recent survey of attendees, Palate Partners asked what the Friday tasters would like to see at Palate Partner events. Many of the regular attendees commented that they would like to participate in tastings involving higher end wines.  The result is that Palate Partners listened, and have created a new event that will occur on the second Friday of months containing five Fridays, called ‘Grapetastic!’.

Wine aficionados will gather to sample two red and two white wines, all averaging $30 per bottle, carefully selected by owner Mike Gonze, complimented by breads and fine cheeses, and to enjoy the company of other Oenophiliacs.  Although this tasting will be as casual in nature as the Friday Wine Tastings Palate Partners have become known for, it will be more structured and informational in regard to the higher end wines.  This tasting will also be limited in capacity, and only 36 tasters will be accepted, with prepaid reservations being required.

Uncorked this evening:

Mansfield Chardonnay 2007 - California
Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2007 - France

Chateau du Trignon Gigondas 2004 - France
McKenzie Muller Cabernet Franc 2004 - California

Mike Gonze has taught classes for Community College of Allegheny County for over twenty years and created their wine education curriculum. Along with presenting seminars for the local Chapters of the American Wine Society, and the AWS National Conference, Mike frequently presents custom wine seminars for local corporations like Bayer, American Express and First Tier Bank. Mike is a, Meeting Professionals International (MPI). He is an active member of the Society of Wine Educators and has attended their conferences in Oregon, Seattle and Vancouver. Mike is a frequent visitor to wineries in the US, has visited wineries in the Loire Valley, Italy and the Southern Rhone regions of France, and regularly attends tastings sponsored by importers, distributors, the Culinary Institute of America, and boutique wineries. Mike maintains a personal wine cellar with over 1000 bottles specializing in lesser known wines from the US and around the world.

Needless to say, Mike knows his wines.  And he loves bringing that knowledge to Pittsburghers.

After sampling the Dreadnought Wines sampled for the evening, patrons can order the wines they like, and pick them up two business days later (as required by state law).

Pittsburgh wine lovers can meet and greet each other at this fine wine sampling on July 10, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Palate Partners/Dreadnought Wines store at 2013 Penn Avenue in the Strip District. The event is open to the public at the cost of $25.00 per person and a prepaid RSVP is necessary. For more information, call (412) 391-8502

Signups closed for this event