Great instructors, very communicative! I am currently…read moretaking a course with Kasia. She is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about wine! Would definitely recommend!

I took 2 WSET exams at the school. Both were conducted in a very professional and friendly manner…read more The registration prior to the exam handled by team member Kirstyn Kralovec was very efficient, So was the service later on, to deliver the Certs.

The drive over the mini bridge was so scenic at sunset and super fun! There is plenty of seating…read moreand the views are awesome! There is a dog that roams around and she is very sweet if you encounter her! All of the food was good and fresh. The wine flight was presented very nicely too. Prices are worth it compared to other wineries in the DMV. Service was quick and friendly. Definitely worth a visit if you're visiting the Shenandoah/Luray areas!

The Ambiance and tasting is great! The drive into the winery is a little tricky as it's a small…read moredirt road. But the view from the winery and the upper deck is very nice.

Had a great time, learned lots and had wonderful bread to eat!! what could be better except a five…read morestar review?

I've been following Melinda for a while and was really excited to attend her class in Middleburg…read more Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles that kept getting in the way, like coordinating with my family. However, things fell into place during our layovers and we were able to join the open class during our available time slot. It turned out to be a lively and enjoyable experience overall. In the class, you have everything you need to succeed right at your table. You'll be sharing a table with another baker, so I recommend bringing a friend or family member along. Additionally, you'll receive a folder and a recipe sheet with a pencil to follow along with. The class is very hands-on, and I was lucky that my partner was able to take some photos while my hands were covered in flour. While we were working, we had the option to enjoy some refreshing beverages like lemonade, water, and tea. We worked diligently from 1pm to 5pm without any breaks. By the time we finally got to eat around 5:15, I was quite hungry. As someone with a creative mind, I would have loved to have some time to experiment with different dough designs or decorate the Danish pastries. It would have been exciting to incorporate bold flavor choices into our rolled-up croissants as well. Perhaps in the future, there could be a class dedicated to a creative open studio session day. Another suggestion I have is to have a grazing station with chilled snacks near the drinks, so we could nibble on something while working or receiving instructions. However, since we were on the go all day and didn't eat, that was on us for arriving to class hungry. I highly recommend this class. The community of students and Melinda herself create a wonderful atmosphere. You can tell that she goes beyond just teaching the course and keeps the conversation going. If you don't have any experience in bread making, I suggest starting with the fundamentals course and then progressing to the intermediate and advanced levels. Make sure to check the website for the available classes, as they tend to sell out quickly. It took us years to find a class that fit our schedules, but we would definitely do it again. It was a lot of fun!

Chef Matt delivered an amazing experience for 4 people! Our friend has a baby and a toddler and…read moregreatly appreciated a fine dining experience coming to her house! He brought all the ingredients and taught us tips like how to cut an onion without crying and the right way to cut a mango! The best mai tai of my life started us off. Then he made mahi mahi with chutney, and a Caribbean themed main dish of mango sauce marinated ribs and slaw. Dessert was bananas foster due to time, he had other options including flan, but flan takes too long. Generally, it's a 4 hour night with eating at the end, so plan accordingly. The perfect Friday evening hang out with friends and learn something new. Highly recommend, especially as a gift to friends.

9 years after getting a milestone birthday gift certificate I finally cashed it in for a cooking…read moreclass with Chef Matt. What an absolutely fun day! Chef Matt takes care of everything -- the food, the cooking utensils and cookware and the cleanup. All you have to do is select a menu, pick a date for the cooking session in your home kitchen and decide how active you want to be during the class. I chose a Spanish theme so we made patatas bravas, Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Serrano Ham, Manchego, Pear and Carmelized Onion Puff Pastry Bites, and Vegetarian Paella. I cook and bake a lot, so it was great being able to pick Chef Matt's brain for tips and tricks to improve my skills. If you have a foodie in your life this is an awesome gift/experience for them!

My husband treated me to two cooking classes with Chris, and I learned immensely at both. First…read moreoff, the space is gorgeous. You feel like you're in such a welcoming and relaxing environment, and Chris is generous with drinks to make people feel at home. Her style is really approachable, and she tries hard to offer tips that will stay with you when you're cooking at home. I've learned so much from her: I use old T-shirts to dry my meat, I never salt my potatoes before roasting them, I crank up the heat real high to roast chicken, and I make my pizza outside on the grill. She has helped me expand my food horizons and feel comfortable experimenting in the kitchen. She's also an all-around amazing individual who has been around DC a long time and has good stories to tell. In short, it's a great activity for a night out with friends or even as a couple, and she offers useful recipes that will make you more comfortable in the kitchen to boot. I wish I still lived in DC so I could take regular classes with her.

If you're planning a small cooking class among your closest friends, look no further than Just…read moreSimply... Cuisine. For my wife's birthday, Chris put together a customized menu with a focus on local, organic, and healthy. Her "slow food" approach has long been a staple in her instruction, long before it became cool to go green. She walked us through a five course meal, teaching new techniques while entertaining topics on food and life. We particularly enjoyed the roasted butterflied chicken with fresh sage. Our afternoon session ended with a simple, yet divine treat of strawberries with balsamic and whipped cream. Just Simply... Cuisine is one of the best kept secrets in DC. Let Chris host you in her lovely home and delight you with recipes that you'll want to try on your own over and over again.

I recently took a virtual wine class led by Ashwin and organized by my apartment's management…read morecompany. He emailed everyone with photos and a description of the two bottles of wine that we should buy for class, with alternatives suggested. Was very impressed with Ashwin's ability to engage us over Zoom, educate us in an approachable and warm way, and answer our questions without pretentiousness (what's the best glass for this type of wine?). What distinguishes Ashwin from, say, just Googling a question about wine is that Ashwin actually has a point of view that he isn't shy about sharing (like his opinions about the homogenization of the big champagne brands vs. grower-made champagnes). Especially during the time of COVID, his Zoom classes are a welcome distraction--and an excuse to drink more wine. Totally recommend his classes as a fun group event.

Ashwin did a virtual wine class through my apartment building - what a fun time! In times of COVID,…read moreit is hard to see what virtual events are worth it - Ashwin's definitely was! He did an excellent job of managing the technology, creating smaller groups to reflect in, and leading a large class! I learned so much and had such a great time drinking wine and learning about the knowledge and history. The impression I got was of a sommelier who wants to not only teach people about wine, but help us reflect on our own culture, our experiences, and how we view the world (and therefore wine!). I went into this class with a fair level of background knowledge, but I still felt like I learned something and I found several good bottles of wine! I would love to take another class with Ashwin!

The winery has all the charms of a place that has been there for many decades, unlike a lot of…read morewineries with enormous new construction tasting rooms. There were cozy rooms to sit in. The staff were so friendly and you could tell they really loved the wines they poured and the family they worked for. The scenery outside was lovely with a view of a fountain and the vineyard on their very spacious patio area. With all that said, my friend and I did not enjoy their wine. I don't want to discourage others from trying this place and all tastes are different but none of the wines we tasted were to our liking and actually tasted off to me. But I am still giving this place three stars because the people were just so nice and accommodating. If I were to only give stars for the wine itself, this place would've sadly only received one from me.

If wine therapy was a thing, this would be my therapist's office. Mediterranean Cellars in…read moreWarrenton, VA is my go-to weekend reset--laid-back, rustic, and welcoming. The old wood walls and cozy furniture give it a timeless vibe, and every visit feels like catching up with friends over something truly special. Louis Papadopoulos, the winemaker and owner, brings decades of Greek winemaking heritage into every bottle. Today I did a white and red tasting with eight themes, and GeorgeAnna--absolute legend--threw in four extra pours just because she's that kind of person. Her hospitality is the heart of this place. The wines are next level. The port-style wines are rich and unforgettable. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is bold yet smooth, and the Moscato--especially the grapefruit and mango versions--hits you with bright, juicy perfection. My personal favorites? Nostalgia, Mejortage, and Latif's Jewel, each with its own personality--silky reds with just the right mix of oak, fruit, and charm. For me, Mediterranean Cellars isn't just a winery. It's that happy place where family, laughter, and seriously good wine come together. One visit and you'll understand why I keep coming back with a trunk that's mysteriously always full of bottles.

My girlfriend and I were staying at a nearby Vrbo cabin located on North Mountain and after a day…read moreof antiquing decided to wind down. We found this adorable winery the day after Christmas and I'm glad we did. The property is absolutely beautiful and the inside was very cozy. The tasting room provided a 360 view of the property through large glass windows. We passed the time playing cards and games located on site. The staff was very friendly and accommodating making wonderful recommendations. I love their flights and how neat the design is. We even got a bottle of their holiday spice win to go. If you're in the area please give this place a try! You won't be disappointed.

What a great find! We took a chance when we saw the sign from the highway. Such a cute spot…read more Lots of wine to choose from. And some award winning wines! They give you a full rundown on all the wines. Fun decor and some trinkets you can buy. The wine was good. Nothing blew our socks off but it was tasty.

Great wine and really friendly service!! I'm working on my Trifecta bingo card - everyone was…read moreexcited about my progress.

Their Farmhouse store gets 6 out of 5 stars!!! We love this place and feel welcomed everytime we…read morecome. There aren't many food options at the Farmhouse but you can bring food and there's usually a good truck just a short walk away. Children aren't allowed past a certain point on the property though. We usually come here after visiting the alpaca farm across the street. The rooms upstairs are very warm and cozy. The staff will pop in to check on you every once in a while but you can also go downstairs to get/ask for whatever you need. I appreciate that they don't hover. The people that work here are amazing. The wine is fantastic. And the property is beautiful. I've mostly been to the Farmhouse because we always come with children, but the couple of times I've been quickly up the street, the properties looked very nice and elegant. Highly recommend.

Stone Tower Winery is a winery in Leesburg. It's a little hard to find on maps, but definitely…read moreworth the drive. There's 3 gates - the first one is general admission and the second one is 21+ only. If you're going with a group, make sure to tell them which lot you're parking in and where to find you since it's very easy to get lost. There's sooo much seating and it looked like you can make reservations for groups, so the ambiance is great for big parties or to celebrate an occasion (like a birthday or bachelorette). You can either be indoors or outdoors, but this place is very conducive to any type of group energy. Also, there's so much scenery and seating, it's soooo beautiful - great for pictures. To order food, you place an order outside at the barn and get a pager. It'll buzz and let you know when your food is ready for pickup. You can also order wine downstairs by the bottle and get as many glasses as you'd like for sharing. There's also a small gift shop as well. The food was expensive, but good quality overall. The chicken strips and fries with a peach tea was $20, but the vibe was worth it so I didn't really mind. I'd definitely come here to celebrate something with a group!

Outstanding wines served at a great winery with soothingly scenic views. I was so impressed by the…read morewine quality that I joined their wine club. Everyone we met with for wine, food, and vinicultural knowledge was exceptionally pleasant and helpful (Rebecca, Kevin, Maureen and Elizabeth). We planned on 1-1/2 hours, yet spent 3 delightful hours there. The cellar tour was both enjoyable and informative, especially since it was accompanied by glasses of wine so we could taste what was being described in the barrels. Can't wait to return.