EDUCATION
“Entertaining, energetic, engaging, interactive, educational and pure fun.”
“Jason was so incredibly entertaining and knowledgeable. I’ve been going to wine tastings for years and I learned more in those two hours than all the others tastings put together. He was witty and gave great practical information.”
vine to glass seminar series | 2022-2025
Produced and lead immersive, bi-monthly global wine series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, one of America’s top of its kind. Geared toward GenX and Boomers, the series focused on intermediate and advanced topics via classic and emerging wine regions. Each seminar involved 40-60 guests, 5-6 wines, and food pairings tied to Tesauro’s selected theme.
“I can’t recommend highly enough working with Jason Tesauro! Jason helped create and grow Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s successful Vine to Glass wine series; curating exciting class ideas, forging partnerships and serving as our dynamic, funny and extremely knowledgeable instructor. Each class led by Jason can only be labelled ‘edutainment.’ Participants walk away with a wealth of information. Every class is fresh, fun and fabulous; keeping repeat class participants coming back for more. On post-class surveys, Jason consistently receives ‘Excellent’ from every participant on his performance as an instructor. Jason’s wine classes have developed quite a following, counting myself in the mix, and I know we can’t wait to see what class ideas he comes up with next!”
grapetionary A-Z | 2016-2021
There are over 1,300 recognized wine grape varieties. Tasting all of them might take a lifetime, but we'll put a dent in your bucket list. Grapetionary A-Z offers a curated selection of 26 varietal wines from Abbuoto to Zweigelt and every letter in between. (Yes, even Q and X.)
In partnership with Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, Tesauro created a traveling program tied to her famed Wine Grapes book. During events, attendees taste one wine from each letter of the alphabet.
“I’d like to thank Jason Tesauro very much indeed for the amazing amount of work he has put in to organising this very special event. Looking at the list of wines Jason has assembled, I’m hugely impressed by the breadth of the selection.”
Tesauro also penned about Grapetionary for Académie du Vin Library.
“When I heard of the boldly pervasive undertaking Jason was planning, I thought it was logistically impossible. Well, I was wrong!”
WINE RIOT | 2016-2018
Tesauro served as Creative Director and developed partnerships and educational programming for a high-energy, traveling national showcase geared toward Millennials. The multi-day, multi-city tour aimed to deliver basic and intermediate wine knowledge to 3,000-4,000 attendees per weekend via interactive experiences, crash course wine seminars, and hundreds of wines from around the world.
To encourage education as well as support events and participating brands, Tesauro also created Wine Riot’s ‘90-Second Somm’ videos as quick-hit social media posts.
“You delivered one really fantastic, rockin’ event (and I have a tattoo to prove it). What I saw last night was a well-organized event, cool buildouts, and good brand participation. The vibe was strong and contagious.”
the art of blending | 2012-2024
Tesauro developed a popular, hands-on program for teaching the art of wine blending. For wine festivals and corporate retreats, these blending sessions employ proper wine lab equipment attendees are guided through the process of tasting, considering components, and then bottling their own blend in white, rosé, or red.
“From the start, I knew I was working with a consummate professional. Jason Tesauro is truly a Modern Gentleman…poised & eloquent, yet positively fun and vivacious. He is a master of his art and absolutely captivated even our mostly novice wine drinkers during our ‘Art of Wine Blending Experience.’ Guests very much enjoyed the ride as he guided them through the journey of the grape and the art of wine blending. Then he set them free to explore, imbibe and create their own personal concoctions. A one-of-a-kind, memorable adventure!”
The Modern gentleman seminar series | 2005-2009
Tesauro founded and moderated a monthly seminar series for men in partnership with The Ritz-Carlton. Over five seasons, programs presented at hotel properties in Atlanta, Washington DC, and Tysons Corner VA focused on the theme of Savvy & Vice. Drawing from Tesauro’s books, seminars covered the likes of dining etiquette, toast making, stylish dress, wine and spirits, cigar smarts, casino gaming, wooing, and dating.
Participating brands included Aston-Martin, Oliva Cigars, NUB Cigar, Mervis Diamonds, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Ralph Lauren, and John H. Daniel Custom Clothiers.