We went for Valentine's Day and had a great time. This was our first time and we will go again. We learned a lot and Ian Blackburn was very knowledgeable and a good host. They had very high quality product and we not only learned about wine, but also cheese and chocolate. read more

Every event organized by Ian Blackburn that I attended through LearnAboutWine.com was absolutely outstanding. The amount of passion, knowledge and professionalism that Ian demonstrates is very inspirational and dazzling. I was passionate about learning about wine before I started taking classes and attending events with Ian (I am preparing for my CWS certification and taking a preparation course with Ian), but just a month later I feel so much more confident, inspired and ready for the wine industry. Ian's classes/events are great for passionate and curious beginners as well as experienced industry professionals. There is always so much to learn and enjoy during the classes/events! This has been the most fun and enjoyable school I have ever attended. Ian's wine defective abilities are incredibly strong and always very entertaining to watch. I am a huge fan of Ian's work and his team. He is making an important impact on California's wine industry by teaching, consulting and producing a premium delicious Zinfandel wine at Beekeeper Cellars. read more

Update: After writing this review Ian looked up my personal email address (based on my Yelp nickname) and sent me really rude comments. I saw that he did that to someone else, too--very, very unprofessional. SO DISAPPOINTING! This review is for the Eat Drink Americano wine, chocolate and cheese tasting. You would THINK you can't go wrong with a wine, chocolate and cheese tasting, but apparently you can!! What a terrible RIP OFF! While you do get a good amount of good cheese and decent chocolate, you get completely ripped off with the wine tasting. Each taste of wine was less than 2 tablespoons per taste! Out of 10 tastes of wine we maybe got the equivalent to one glass of wine. It's not that I need to chug a bunch of wine, but if I'm paying almost $100 per ticket ($95), I should end up with an actual wine tasting experience. All of my friends and I were really upset that we spent that much money for a couple sips of wine. And it's not like the wines were super expensive. The bottles he commented on that were supposed to be more expensive were $20 and $38. For the cost of my boyfriend and my tickets ($190) we could have purchased much more expensive wine and drank the entire bottle of it (not just a few tablespoons) as well as had appetizers and 2 thick steaks. That would have been money much better spent!!! What's was also disappointing is that the host spoke the whole time and lectured about wine. I suppose this could be good for someone expecting a whole night of a lecture and learning, but as other events from Learn About Wine have been quite social, and as it was Saturday night, I was expecting a more social setting. It would have been so much more fun to hear a brief lecture, sip wine and chat with the other guests and have a pleasant social experience. Instead, it was an environment where everyone was supposed to be quiet while the host speaks and I felt guilty to even whisper a few comments to my friend. read more

I try to attend as many Learn About Wine classes and events as I can afford! Wine expert Ian Blackburn runs classes that are highly informative and fun. He's like a walking wine encyclopedia! He always chooses delicious, quality wines for tasting. A variety of classes are offered at all levels, and it's an opportunity to meet interesting new people. I've been to many different classes, but for some reason I keep making up excuses to come back to the wine, cheese, and chocolate sessions... The locations of the events are always classy, beautiful, spacious, and laid-back. The atmosphere is never pretentious and stuffy. My favorite event was located at the Architecture and Design Museum across from LACMA. Sampling numerous wines from Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, eating slammin' Argentinean food, while watching beautiful tango dancing under the stars is not a bad way to spend a Friday night. Nor is harmlessly flirting with a few of the cute wine servers ;-) read more

I've been reading some of the posts below, specifically Kate B., and I feel it so ridiculous I felt compelled to post; If you want to get buzzed find the closest bar with a happy hour and drink until you're drunk. Ian is one of the most informed, unassuming, and unpretentious wine educators I've ever met. Every class I have ever been a part of I have learned something new and I'm in the Hotel and restaurant business. I taste wine 3-4 times a week and I don't possess half of Ian's knowledge. To think you can judge a class because you've been to napa 3x is like saying I'm ready to coach the Lakers because I played youth basketball at the local rec center. When I take a Learn About Wine class I want to have my head educated not inebriated. Regardless, I always leave with a smile on my face. read more

ok...so i'm a little late on reviewing my lovely experience at the Malibu Wine Classic with some yelping ladies... but seeing as its an annual event... its not TOO late! despite the fact that i went into this experience with a guaranteed good time considering the awesome group o' gals we went with... i was pleasantly surprised by the participating wineries and restaurants. it was held at a great location right off the beach, with just enough space to not feel over crowded but still close enough to interact with other attendees. the ocean breeze kept the HOT day absolutely enjoyable. i am never a fan of the whole "park and shuttle" process as it tends to bring out the pushy side in people (oh hold me back!) but everything was perfectly spaced out, there were enough shuttles for all and i ate and drank my little heart out! couldn't have asked for more. the one thing i would not suggest, is stopping to pig out AGAIN at gladstones on the way home... ooof, i need a nap just thinking about it. read more

I really enjoy the Sunday School classes through LearnAboutWine. I think I have been to four different classes (Wine and Cheese; Wine and Chocolate; Bordeaux; something else Italian - all were great). It is nice because it is a very unpretentious setting with a very knowledgeable leader. Ian, the instructor, is great because he knows so much yet is so down-to-earth, and he presents all the information in a very approachable and fun way. The wines are always interesting and it always seems like they throw in a few "bonus" wines just because the discussion has taken us in a particular direction. During the classes, there are always breads and cheeses and water to help you keep your thoughts together. It is sorta funny how the classes start off with everyone paying very close attention and making notes, and then in the second half of the class, everyone is talking and laughing and making NO notes because they're all a little tipsy and having such a fun time. I do feel for Ian because he has to corral the unruly group at this point but he does a great job. I highly recommend the Sunday School classes to learn a little and have a lot of fun. read more

We attended the Stars of Cabernet event at the Beverly Hills Peninsula Hotel last night. We had high expectations from the winery list shown before the event. We were not disappointed. So many amazing wines there wasn't enough time to get to them all (unless you like to spit but I don't!). They were all high end wines like Paul Hobbs, Ackerman, Loam, just wonderful. Nice food offering as well (carved prime rib, pastas, cheese and desserts. Even if I had paid full price ($120) it would have been worth it but for $70 and $75, even better deal. I can't wait to go again next year! read more

I've been to many "Learn About Wine" events and it is always a good time. The tastings are very organized with great wineries participate. I always look forward to going to these events....a fun "different" thing to do in LA! read more

I am overwhelmed with how many positive things I can say about Learn About Wine, and am honestly having a hard time putting my thoughts together because there are so many great things that I have to say that I don't want to forget. I guess I will just keep it short-ish and simple. Ian and everyone else I have dealt with at Learn About Wine have been absolutely incredible and shown the utmost professionalism. Not only are they professional, but also very responsive and helpful. Now to talk about Ian in particular. Ian has an incredible knowledge of wine and loves to share it and help others to learn (at least that is the impression that he gives when teaching). You will never find a better person to learn about wine and all if it's intricacies from. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, he is so kind. No question is stupid, no matter how basic and he doesn't come across as snooty or pompous, but rather patient and eager to share his love and knowledge of wine with others. Last, many of the wines you will taste in the classes are wines that are no longer available in that vintage, so this may be the only opportunity that you have to taste them, and the wines he chooses for his tastings will not disappoint. If you love, or even like wine, go to one of his classes. You will not regret it! read more

I love Ian's events and have been going to them for 10+ years since moving to LA. He is always a gracious host and I always have an amazing time and taste some fantastic wines. His events are classy and a great value for the price and allow you to experience wines that you would otherwise never know to buy at almost all price levels. It's a great experience that will allow you to develop your palette and discover what you most like and what you don't and be more proficient at navigating a restaurant wine list. He is extremely knowledgeable and sweetheart of a guy. Cheers! read more

Over the past 6 years I have been to many Learn About Wine events--too many to count-- and they have never disappointed!! Tasting dinners, classes and wine tasting parties...there is something for everyone whether you are a novice or a conoisseur. My personal favorites are the TASTE events. Ian always finds cool, unique venues to make them extra special. Bottom line, if you enjoy good wine & good food in a beautiful setting, you will love his events!!! read more

I've been to about 10 of their wine events over the last two years. They always do an amazing job. If you want to a smaller arena where you can really pick up a lot of information about a particular style of wine, or want to learn about the business of wine, or just get an introductory lesson about wine, the classes are for you. Ian teaches them at his loft downtown and they are really lively and fun - there is usually music, art to view, and a yummy food plate. If you just want to hang and be social and taste A LOT of wine in one night (it's often hard to get through them all) then go to one of his tastings. They are usually held at restaurants, galleries or museums and attract a large group of people. I have found some of my favorites wines at these events (where else can you taste 50 pinot noir in one night!???) They are always fabulous and a really good value too (he generally serves a lot of high end wines that you don't normally see at tastings! (I tasted my first Chateau Y'Quem at a bordeaux tasting last year)... read more

I have had the good fortune of participating in several of Ian's wine tasting events, tours as well as the credential class. The most recent wine tour was to Napa Valley two weeks ago. Ian's events are not only fun but highly educational. The events are highly sophisticated but unpretentious, thus suitable for both the wine novice and wine connoisseur. Ian's incredible knowledge of the wine industry and his deep connections with wine makers allow participants unprecedented access to special wines, private tasting events, and in depth discussions with the most innovative in the industry. read more

My boyfriend got the wine, cheese, and chocolate course for me for a birthday present. It was great! we tasted 10 wines, 5 cheeses, and 5 chocolates and got to see how well they complemented the wines. The class was informative and Ian was great at answering questions. Is fun for a date or even to go with girlfriends. I would definitely go again! read more

I've attended a few classes and tastings hosted by Learn About Wine. The tastings are always great. Excellent wineries! Classes are very informative and well put together. Highly recommend read more

In 2010 my fiancé and I attended our first Learn About Wine event, a "wine and chocolate" class. We later signed up for the four-week L.A.W. School course. We have since attended several other wine events, both educational and social, hosted by Learn About Wine and have come away from each more knowledgeable and with a deeper passion for wine - thanks in part to Ian Blackburn's contagious enthusiasm. Ian not only KNOWS wine, but is able to SHARE that knowledge and love of wine in an approachable and easily understandable manner. Ian is able to take a complex, and for many, a very intimidating subject and relate it to all levels of wine drinkers. If you want to learn about wine, Learn About Wine is where you should go! read more

I've known Ian for about 5 years now, originally through his wine 101 class and then different tastings he's offered or I've poured at. They are always fun and casual but most importantly they are very well organized and educational. I'm looking forward to his specialized offerings and trips this summer and fall! read more

I recently attending the Wine 2.0 International wine tasting class and had a great experience. Not only is the teacher, Ian, knowledgable about wine, but he is engaging and funny to boot! The cheeses were stellar and the wine terrific. I learned alot and had a great time doing it. Cheers! read more