I booked the Hot Havana Nights cooking class for the evening of Saturday, 11/19/17 for my boyfriend and I as part of a birthday surprise. This class is part of the Fusion of Flavors series that features an internationally inspired menu focusing on a cuisine from a different country each class. There were three staff members present to help with the flow of the class -- one chef (Chef M.), and two assistants. Chef M. was phenomenal. She led the class with confidence as she gave demonstrations, useful tips, and instructions. If I could rate her separately, she would easily receive a 5-star rating from me. The class was full the night we attended. I believe there are somewhere between 16-20 seats per class. About 80% of our class was made up of a large party celebrating a birthday. To say they were a rowdy, slightly annoying bunch would be an understatement. This is when I learned lesson #1: YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE OTHER ATTENDEES. After a slightly slower start, thanks to pausing for the large group to take selfies and group photos before we began, we went right into preparing the meal. The meal consisted of 3 courses -- salad, entree, and dessert. The group was slit into teams -- we paired up within the teams to tackle each menu item. The recipes were easy to execute -- nothing too daunting. Plus, Chef M. and the two assistants were on hand whenever you had a question. Chef M. walked around and checked our progress regularly. Ohh I should mention, wine was available before during and after class :-) When all was said and done, we sat down at the table to have our meal. This is when the wine pairing section of class began. We were given several wines to taste throughout the course of the meal. Unfortunately, by the time I got to the table with our main dishes, NO chicken was left. Apparently, one of my classmates took two pieces, leaving me with only side dishes and salad. This is when I learned lesson #2: GET YOUR FOOD EARLY. If someone gets a double helping in your class, be sure to make a fuss. You spend $80 for a nice dinner, not two sides and some wine. Overall, I enjoyed the way the class was structured, the kitchen/venue, and the staff. My only regret is that I went the same night as the large group that basically took over our class. read more

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I was disappointed when I went in to find out the "events" on the website were no longer offered. I fully expected to purchase a GC that day as a gift for my brother & sister in-laws same day birthday. The cashier made no attempt to sell another experience instead. Really? I can't imagine any business having so much business that they turn-away a sale. read more

Rob was the best host we could have asked for as he guided us through a six course wine tasting. Three whites and three reds. What a lovely time and location. I wish I had found this place sooner. You walk in and wonder how is this place not packed and over flowing with people, but it's just right. The staff will guide you through wine country around the world and have you dreaming of your next vacation. See ya soon! read more

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Great place for a date or girls night out! The small plates are so tasty and you can sample hundreds of wines - what could be better than that! It also makes good presents: you can buy this preloaded card for a wino friend and they can use the card to try so many different types of wine. The best present I have bought for my friend thus far! They also host corporate events (team cook offs?), host group cooking classes, Michael, the owner, even told me they host little kids birthday parties where they made pasta and cupcakes (obviously without the alcohol or just wine for the parents). They do training for wine makers to get certified or just for people who are more interested in learning more about wine and/or cooking. I hope to take some classes some time soon! [The events and classes are actually under a different name, Vino Venue, but is attached to the Atlanta Wine School and owned by the same people] Great place and I can't wait to go back! read more

Attended the beginner's wine class and was underwhelmed. My SO recently decided that not every glass of wine tastes like Franzia and wanted to learn more about how to taste wine, different types of wine, wine lingo, etc.. I've done 4-5 intro wine classes in the past and realize there's a decent variation in what is discussed/taught. This was probably my least favorite. I think the instructor assumed a level of knowledge that just wasn't there (e.g. how to taste wine, look at wine in a glass for different attributes, tell if it's "corked:, etc.). He referenced a lot of wine terms without explanation and would not stop talking about his expensive bottles of wines and trips to wine country, villages in France, etc. Not particularly educational and kind of out-of-touch with the experiences and interests of a newbie. #scotch4life. read more

How do I begin to tell you how wonderful this place is? Everyone here is super awesome, professional and fun! Michael, Debbie, Sharon, Sue- who run this place are exceptional beings. The instructors are full of knowledge and have a wonderful way of sharing this knowledge and passion with you. Big fan of Jane Garvey and Michael. I have been a loyal fan for several years now. I first started off as a novice taking classes here and there. I then decided to take it up a notch and did the Intro to Wine I and II. After that, I really took it up a notch and dove into the CSW (certified wine specialist) course and passed! :) I was not in the industry-- it was just something I truly enjoyed. If you haven't taken a course here- you should for sure give it a try! Oh, and if you think this whole vino thing is too snooty- believe me if you enjoy having a drink along with some yummy cheeses, meats and chocolates, meeting some cool folks and taking away a lil tidbit of what your ingesting give it a try you won't regret it! Great for girls night, date nights and or just because. ;) read more

This is a really great restaurant/wine bar/ school! They have so much to offer! I attended the Steakhouse cooking class which was 2.5 hours long. It is the type of class where you participate in the preparation of the food. The chef and the assistants serve the wine and the food once it is done. The food was good although I did not care for the kale salad. The butternut squash salad, steak, sauces, and the dessert were amazing! I can't wait to get the recipes! AWS gives a 10% discount to anything in the store if it is purchased the day of your cooking class. I recommend this place for dates, corporate functions (probably up to 50 people), and for gifts! It is worth stopping in just to see the place one day if you don't have time to stay for dinner or wine! read more

They had 3 days of soft opening and officially opened today. The space is simply amazing! Very tastefully decorated, bar area, lounge area and 3 EnoMatic wine dispensers that you simply have to experience for yourself. The staff was very attentive and extremely knowledgable about the wines...as they should be since they also run a wine school! It is great to have such a trendy place making its home in Dunwoody, and being able to shop for wine with help from wine experts while enjoying a few pours from the EmoMatics will have me coming back for more! read more

Atlanta Wine School - Atlanta Wine School's Vino Venu is just awesome! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Attended their wine pairing cooking class. First I want to say it was a great experience but when I compare the experience to the Viking Cooking school in Atlanta, The Atlanta Wine School comes up as needs some improvement. Chef Blakeley Dunn needs a cooking assistant to help with the food prep so he can focus more on the class and speed things up. They need to have bar stools for the class because you are left standing the whole prep period. Because Chef Dunn is a one man show your food is cold by the time its ready to eat. I will recommend and try again hoping it gets better with time. read more

Horribly rude customer service and unwillingness to reschedule a class. Was really looking forward to the experience that I received as a gift for Christmas, and when I called to reschedule after miscommunication on the class date and time I was rudely told "oh well". I have never been spoken to so poorly over the phone. The class date and time in the confirmation email says "OPTIONS", and there are no reminder emails or phone calls to confirm your class time. Really disappointed in Vino Venues staff and their inability to provide good customer service. As you can see from the comment below, this organization does not take into account that when classes are purchased as gifts then it is helpful to have some sort of reminder or email or phone call to confirm the date of the class. It is very disappointing to see that they are willing to do absolutely nothing to accommodate for a paying customer. I was given the class as a Christmas gift by my mother who is older and not very computer savvy, and she is extremely sad and disappointed that this gift went to waste based on a misunderstanding of when the class was. It's unfortunate that this organization is not more understanding and does not have a follow up email, phone call or reminder as part of the sign up process like most other organizations who have invested in events of this size. read more

i believe i participated in the 'novice course' tonight, and let me tell you, it was terrific! the best teachers are the ones who LOVE the subject they teach...LOVE is an understatement when Michael Bryan is the teacher - this guy is the real deal, and he's sincerely passionate about empowering the shy wine spectator to evolve into a true wine enthusiast. you know those people who could describe the plainest piece of buttered toast and something about their talent for expression makes you WANT that toast...you're gonna want to taste the toast! i'm going back! read more

I had the best evening with Peter Mondavi Jr and the staff at The Atlanta Wine School. This was a wine tasting that was informative but exciting. We learned alot about the vineyards and how their wines are made. Sampling is also a plus. The staff made the night enjoyable and very attentive to all our needs which included some nibles of cheeses and meats. What an enjoyable night with friends. read more

Awesome place to have fun, learn, and expand your wine knowledge!!! This is not just another tasting..... but a true learning experience. Sit back, relax, and have a glass of vino while you learn form their amazing staff. About once a month we travel 130 miles to attend a class....it's worth it!!!!! I can't say enough about the Atlanta Wine School!!! You have to give it a try!!!!!! read more

My fiancé and I took the beginners class in late January. I found it to be a great value as you get to try several types of wine in addition to food on top of the education. The instructor did a good job of explaining everything clearly while keeping the material light and interesting. read more

My friends and I wanted to attend the Mrs. Padmore's Kitchen class and went online to register. We found a coupon code for 50% off the class, used the code and completed the purchase, obtained a receipt. AWS later emailed stating there was an error with the code - that they would only honor a portion of the code and that we "could pay the difference" when we arrived for the class. AWS also emailed us, accusing us of "abusing" the code - No, AWS. We found a coupon code online and used it, just like any other consumer would. It is your fault that you chose not to honor the discount due to your own mistake - not the consumer's fault or "abuse". AWS later changed the date of the class because they chose to book a private event on the same evening. Luckily we were all able to obtain a refund, as after the poor customer service, we were all left with a foul taste in our mouths. read more

I never made it in the front doors to review the product because the management turned me (and my friends) away rather than admit their error. Here are the facts: I signed up for a downton abby evening, I found a discount code online to apply, AWS's system accepted the code, AWS accepted my CC, AWS charged me and sent me a paid invoice - done, the product is bought and paid, for - sold by AWS to me, it's mine. After, AWS said, sorry you can't use that coupon, it was my fault (ther customer) for using it (not theirs for not keeping up with their software) and if I want to stay in the class, I will need to pay them more money. Look it's like this: you go into a store, you buy and item onsale, you purchase it and leave the store and then the store manager tells you it should not have been onsale so give us more money. NO! Blame the store, blame the cashier, but don't blame the customer for your error. You may not be happy with it but the error was on AWS's side not the customer. Maybe one day, the business side of AWS will take ownership and understand the importance of customers and then I (and my half dozen friends) can try the products they offer. Could have been repeat customers. read more

Super disappointing experience signing up for an event. We had a group of 8 that was in the process of signing up when we became aware of a coupon code which two of us used. We were emailed the next day stating "our GNO coupon code was not working properly. You were given a 50% discount rather than a 10%. I'm going to give you a 20% discount for the inconvenience and you can just pay the difference tomorrow night." Not quite the tone you take to grow repeat business by making a technical issue the customer's problem. When our other friends began to sign up as full price and questioned why they were not accommodating the two other orders, the same representative told her "Whether that was intentional misuse or deliberate, I do not know. But it was utilized by them improperly. In reviewing all of the communication with your group, I have found that our employees have reacted professionally and gone above and beyond in offering a discount that was not required." The same person reviewed her own responses. In the end, the event date was moved for a higher paying corporate client. Myself and group are choosing not to ever do business with Atlanta Wine School given their choice in how to handle the matter. For the price they command for their events, hope this helps as a window in to level of professionalism you will receive. read more