Upcoming Events
Dim Sum Trade Lunch
There are standard portfolio tastings, and then there are collisions of flavor that completely shift your perspective on a region's utility. For this trade-exclusive lunch, we are exploring the rugged, old-vine terroir of the Swartland through the lens of South Africa's iconic Badenhorst Family Wines—paired entirely with traditional Dim Sum.
The Swartland is defined by dry-farmed bush vines and complex soils, producing wines of incredible texture, phenolic weight, and aromatic lift. Instead of standing behind a spit bucket, we will sit down for an intimate, round-table tasting to explore how these dynamic whites and robust reds interact with the savory, umami-rich spectrum of classic Dim Sum. It’s a focused, communal exploration of texture and terroir over stacked steamers of har gow and siu mai.
Trade Status & Access: This is a private, trade-only event. Space at the table is strictly limited to ensure an intimate discussion. Location details for the Dim Sum house will be provided upon RSVP confirmation.
Masterclass: The Sands of Roero with Giovanni Correggia
When discussing Piedmont, the conversation often defaults to the heavy marl and clay of Barolo and Barbaresco. But just across the Tanaro river lies Roero, a region defined by steep hills of ancient, fossil-rich marine sands. Here, Nebbiolo and Arneis take on a completely different life—yielding wines of striking aromatic purity, tension, and immediate elegance.
The Matteo Correggia estate pioneered the modern quality revolution in this often-overlooked DOCG. We are honored to host Giovanni Correggia for an exclusive masterclass detailing this unique geology and his family's enduring legacy. This deep dive will explore the distinct "Nebbiolo in sand" expression, tracing the evolution of their vineyards through current releases and rare library offerings.
Trade Status & Access: This is a private, trade-only event offered in partnership with Grapevine Wine Brokers. Priority access is reserved for active wine buyers and qualified sommeliers seeking education on Piedmontese terroir.
The Reluctant Somm 2-Year Anniversary Party!
Two years of recording the podcast, tearing down pretense, and building this incredible community. It’s time to celebrate the only way we know how.
For our second anniversary, we are pulling out all the stops and raiding the TRS cellar. We’ll be pouring a massive lineup of fun, rare, and deeply personal bottles that we’ve been saving specifically for a milestone like this. Expect great music, loud conversations, and a room full of the people who have supported us from day one. Additional food and wine will also be available for purchase on-site to keep the party going.
Access & Location: This is a private, invite-only celebration for our inner circle and loyal community members. However, our door is always open—if you want to celebrate with us, reach out directly to express interest. Location details will be provided upon RSVP confirmation.
Industry Friends: We know you have heavy hitters sitting in your own cellars. We are offering a $5 corkage fee for any trade friends who want to bring something cool from their stash to share with the room.
Supper Club Series
There is a specific kind of magic that only happens around a kitchen table. The Supper Club Series is our antidote to stiff, formal dining—an intimate, family-style gathering hosted right in our own home.
We step away from the traditional restaurant model to focus on true hospitality. We spend the morning sourcing seasonal ingredients straight from the local farmers market, cook a communal feast, and pull great bottles to pair with the meal. To pull up a chair, your ticket simply acts as a contribution to help cover the groceries and wine for the evening. It’s about breaking bread, passing bottles, and having real conversations with people who share a passion for good food and wine.
Status & Access: Because this is hosted in our home, seating is extremely limited and typically invite-only. If you want to pull up a chair at a future dinner, please join our experiences list so we know you're interested when seats open up.
Community Tasting @ Trevino
At The Reluctant Somm, our core belief is that great wine shouldn't be locked behind a high price tag or a wall of pretense. We designed our monthly community tastings to strip away the intimidation and bring people back to what wine is actually for: connecting with the neighborhood.
Hosted by Christopher Truitt and Bianca Finley, this is a low-key, high-value evening focused entirely on discovery. For this iteration, we are taking over the bar at Trevino in Mission Bay. We’ve selected three off-the-beaten-path, small-production wines that you won't find on a grocery store shelf. Christopher will be pouring, telling the stories behind the bottles, and answering questions in an environment completely free of judgment.
The Details: Open to the public. To keep this sustainable and accessible, tickets are just $5 for the flight of three small pours. Please bring cash to tip your bartender—Trevino is generously hosting us, and we want to take care of their team!
Masterclass Series: Exploration of Barrique vs. Botti
The Evolution of Barolo: with Domenico Clerico
You cannot tell the story of Piedmont without the "Barolo Boys"—the revolutionaries who forever changed the region through the use of small barrique. Domenico Clerico was at the center of that storm, and those wines remain legendary.
But a true legacy is never static; it evolves. This masterclass explores the winery's definitive stylistic shift, championed in the cellar by winemaker Oscar Arrivabene—Domenico’s right hand for 20 years. Oscar is preserving the estate’s history by guiding it into a new era, officially marking the move away from small barrique to embrace traditional large-format Botti with the 2021 vintage.
Guided by AIS Sommelier and WSET III Naomi Calbucci, whose perspective bridges the Old World and the New, we will move beyond simple binaries to understand this evolution. We will taste vintages side-by-side from before and after this shift to gain a rare perspective on how the wines have changed—honoring the revolution of the past while tasting the future of the estate.
Trade Status & Access: SEATS STILL AVAILABLE
This is a private, trade-only event offered in partnership with Grapevine Wine Brokers. Priority access is reserved for active wine buyers. However, we have allocated a limited number of seats specifically for qualified Jr. Sommeliers seeking education. We are currently accepting requests for attendee access here.
Liquid Archetypes: Wine & Tarot *Public Wine Tasting*
Friday the 13th: Tarot & Wine with The Reluctant Somm
February, Friday the 13th happens to land right before Valentine's Day. We’re leaning into the former.
At The Reluctant Somm, our drive is to curate unique experiences that make wine accessible and engaging without the usual pretense. We believe tasting events should be memorable nights out, not stiff lectures.
For this event, we are partnering with Trevino Wine Bar in Mission Bay to host a unique evening of curated wine and intuitive insight. The TRS team has taken over the wine list for the night, designing a specific flight that mirrors archetypes found in the Tarot deck. We are also bringing in resident reader Vanessa to offer insights throughout the evening.
Join us on Friday, February 13th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Trevino’s space to drink incredible wine, explore the cards, and connect with the community.
The Curated Flight The TRS team has selected four distinct wines tailored to match specific Tarot energies:
The Fool (New Beginnings & Spontaneity): Josep Ventosa Cava Brut Nature NV (Sparkling)
The Star (Clarity & Inspiration): Luna Hart Sauvignon Blanc, Ballard Adobes Vineyard 2023 (White)
The Sun (Joy & Vitality): Dreamcote Gamay, Donnachadh Vineyard SRH 2022 (Red)
The Wild Card (Somm's Intuition): A surprise 2oz pour chosen in the moment just for you.
The Experience: Two Ways to Attend We offer two tiers of access depending on the level of insight you desire.
Tier 1: The Major Arcana Pass (Reserved Time Slots) $35.00 per ticket
This is for those wanting the full experience. It includes the 4-wine flight, light bites, and a guaranteed, private 10-minute reading with Vanessa during your specific ticketed hour.
How it works: Purchase a ticket for a specific 1-hour arrival window (e.g., 6 PM - 7 PM).
Capacity: VERY limited availability.
Punctuality is mandatory to ensure your reading time, please arrive at the start of your hour-ed slot.
Tier 2: The Seeker Pass (General Admission) $18.00 per ticket
Perfect for a casual drop-in night out. Includes the full 4-wine flight, light bites, and a "self-guided" single card pull at the bar to set your intention for the night.
How it works: Drop in anytime between 5 PM and 10 PM to enjoy the atmosphere at Trevino.
Note: This tier does not include a private reading with Vanessa.
Status: Upcoming Tickets for this limited engagement will be released via Eventbrite. Private reading slots will sell out quickly.
Beaujolais Day
The Annual Tradition: Cru Beaujolais & Porchetta
Once a year, after the holiday dust settles, we host our favorite tradition. The premise is simple: we slow-roast a massive, crispy Porchetta, and you bring a bottle from one of the 10 Beaujolais Crus to share with the table.
This isn't a tasting; it's a communal feast. It’s a range of producers we share designed to explore the nuances of Gamay alongside plates of fatty, savory pork, all within the company of the TRS community.
Status: **The 2026 gathering is fully committed, NO SEATS available at this time. **
These intimate, community-driven events are typically invite-only because of very limited space. To be placed on the waitlist for future gatherings and receive alerts for openings, request access to the TRS Experience list here.