Festivin 2024 at The Wrigley Mansion

The Wrigley Mansion is inviting guests to the return of its highly-anticipated event, Festivin 2024. From Jan. 11 to Jan. 14, guests will enjoy a celebration of wine, food, and education, featuring exclusive dinners, classes, demonstrations, and a Grand Tasting. A portion of proceeds will benefit Almost There: A Mom and Pups Rescue.

Thursday, January 11

Festivities kick off with two dinners on the opening night. The Unplugged and Uncorked dinner combines wine and music with the acclaimed Master Sommelier Michael Jordan alongside famed winemaker Fred Scherrer. Wines from Jackson Family Wines and the Scherrer family will be paired with the meal at Geordie’s.

Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion will again host an exclusive Louis XIII dinner. This multi-course dinner and wine experience is created by Chef Christopher Gross and Guillume of Louis XIII de Remy Martin. They will take guests on an immersive experience of the finest Cognac. Food and wine pairings are included, and guests have the option to purchase an engraved bottle of Louis XIII.

Friday, January 12

The Decades Dinner will allow guests to go back in time with a luxury dinner that explores the food and wine of the past. Starting in the 1990s and going back to the 1940s, guests will be treated to a dish and wine from each decade while seated at the Chef’s Table.

The Battle on the Hill: Chef vs. Chef dinner in the main Geordie’s dining room will feature Geordie’s own Executive Chef David Brito against Rochelle Daniel of Atria Restaurant. Each chef will match a dish to a wine selected by Wrigley Mansion’s Master Sommelier Mark Guilladeau, Advanced Sommelier Jason Caballero, and Certified Sommelier Devon Jessee and the guests will choose the best dish-to-wine pairing.

Saturday, January 13

The day kicks off with a Cooking Demo led by Geordie’s Executive Chef David Brito. Guests will learn how to make some of his favorite dishes, each of which will be paired with wines from Giuliana Imports, which specializes in the importation and education of wines from Italy, Spain and Argentina. Chef Christopher Gross will also host a Cooking Demo to demonstrate how to make his classic dishes. He will share personal stories of his travels and touring vineyards.

Attendees can then hop into one of the many seminars/classes planned for the day (reservations are required):

Champs and Caviar: This is a unique experience pairing different caviars with Special Club Champagnes. Led by Christine Mercnik of Grace Under Pressure and Christopher Klapp of Petrossian Caviar, guests will learn what makes caviar unique and how the grading system works, while also being informed about the production process for Champagne.
Deep Dive into the Heart of American Wine Country: Learn all about Napa, from its climate to its history to the famed winemakers who make it so special. Guests will taste incredible wines from different AVA’s in the region and will hear directly from a winemaker from Napa.
Dirt to Grape: What happens in the vineyard is just as important as what happens in the winery. Guests will try wines that have undergone different farming techniques and how various practices affect what is in the glass.

A Masterclass in Blending: Guests will get to blend and make their own wines with direction and teaching by Master Sommelier Michael Jordan. Each guest will have their own equipment to blend wines right at their table, and once complete, they will be able to taste their creation.

Australia, A World-Class Wine Country: Learn about the amazing wine from Down Under. From classic Shiraz, to many new wines that you’ve probably never heard of, Australia is a wine country to be reckoned with. Jane Lopes will be teaching this class herself. Lopes was featured on “Uncorked” on Lifetime Channel, is a Master Sommelier, and is co-author for “How to Drink Australian.”
Blind Tasting: Ever wonder how a sommelier can tell what a wine is from just smelling and tasting it? Get it straight from the source and learn valuable tricks of the trade. Guests will learn how to Blind Taste from some of the country’s best Sommeliers, including what markers in the wines mean, and how different processes for winemaking, vineyard work, oak and more can change the taste and smell of wine.
The Allure of Pinot Noir: Come learn about one of the most famous grapes in the world. Guests will have the opportunity to try a diverse range of Pinot Noirs from all over the globe. Winemakers and Sommeliers will break down what Pinot Noir is, how it’s grown, and how its flavors can differ depending on its origin.

Grape to Glass: If you’ve ever wondered how a grape turns into that beautiful beverage in your glass, this class will teach you the science and art behind turning grapes to wine. Guests will learn all the different steps that a grape will take from when it’s harvested to how it becomes the wine you drink. This includes fermentation, maturation, pressing, and so many other practices that can each result in different wines.

A Hidden Gem in the Wine World: A region not talked about nearly enough. Learn all about the wines coming from Austria. Led by Arizona’s only Master Sommelier, Mark Guilladeau, the class will discuss what is unique about the country, what wines they make, and what foods they work with, all while getting an opportunity to taste the wine and engage.

Following a busy day of cooking demos and classes, guests can enjoy a light drink and snack at the Aperitivo Hour before dinner.

The LVMH Dinner will take you on a journey through the LVMH high-end beverage portfolio, from Dom Perignon to Hennessey and everything in between. The dinner will be focused around some of the best Champagne in the world, coupled with an over-the-top menu by Chef David Brito and served at the Chef’s Table. The Battle on the Hill: Somm vs Somm Dinner will feature Wrigley Mansion’s own Master Sommelier Mark Guilladeau. He will go head-to-head with Jonathan Eicholtz, a Master Sommelier. Chef David Brito will prepare a menu and each Master Sommelier will pick wines to accompany. Happening in the main dining room of Geordie’s, this will be a double-blind experience, meaning that no one will know the wines or who picked them until the end. Only one Master Sommelier will be crowned a winner!

Sunday, January 14

Festivin will conclude with the Grand Tasting in the Garden Room and on the Garden Terrace on Sunday, January 14 from 3 pm – 7 pm. This event serves as an opportunity to walk around and taste wines that are not always offered to the public. With over 150 wines from numerous winemakers, distributers, suppliers, and importers to choose from, you are bound to find a new favorite – which can also be purchased. Along with Chef David Brito providing his amazing cooking at numerous stations throughout the event, there will be DJ entertainment and adorable puppies from Almost There. Relax, sip and savor!

For more information, visit exploretock.com/wrigleymansion.