The Culinary Institute of America offers wine and food classes at its campus in the historic Greystone building in St. Helena. What an adventure to combine a trip to the wine country with a wine or a cooking class. If nothing else, a traveler to the Napa Valley should wander in on this lovely historic building that was once the winery and monastery of the Christian Brothers.
Besides food and wine classes, there is a first class restaurant, the Wine Spectator Restaurant. The Campus Store is loaded with gourmet items and a great selection of books on food and wine. One can browse the barrel room, take a tour, or just walk around and view the old stone winery building that was built in 1889. This building is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the Napa Valley.
The CIA courses are aimed at the person who is in the food and wine industry or those seeking a career in this area. There are plenty of introductory courses that anyone who wants to develop and improve their knowledge of food and wine can take. Check CIA Web site for their “Enthusiast” line of classes.
In checking the CIA calendar at Greystone, we see that Robert Parker is scheduled for a Pinot Noir seminar and tasting in October. The cost is $500 per person and limited to 100 guests.