Winemaker’s Barrel Tasting

Listen— we know December flies by in a blur of gift lists, party planning, and coordinating everyone else's schedules. Between the shopping, the wrapping, the meal prep, and the never-ending to-do lists, it's easy to miss those quiet moments where you actually do something just for you. That's exactly why we created the Winemaker's Barrel Tasting at the Winery.

This is different from every other tasting experience we offer at Painted Horse because we're giving you hands-on access in our production area. You’ll have the chance to sample wine directly from the barrels and learn what it takes for Robert to deem a wine “ready” to bottle up, sell and serve in the tasting room.

This evening is perfect for:

• Home winemakers curious about how the pros manage fermentation and make blending decisions

• Wine lovers who want to understand what happens before it hits the bottle

• Anyone who could just use a night off before the holidays go into full swing

• Wine enthusiasts who want to go deeper than tasting notes

• The curious who've ever wondered "what does this taste like in the barrel?"

• People who crave 90 minutes where the only thing on their to-do list is listening to someone passionate explain their craft

Here's what your evening will look like:

You arrive at 6pm to our tasting room, where we'll start with a welcome tasting to set the stage for what you're about to experience.

Then we will walk over to the wine production area—our barrel room and tank room where our 2024 vintages are currently aging and developing.

You'll sample straight from barrels using a wine thief (yes, that's the actual tool name), taste the same wine at different stages of aging, and understand what oak does to wine over months— by tasting the difference yourself.

Between tastings, we've set out small bites to cleanse your palate.

The group is small enough (just 16 people) that you will have plenty of time to ask Robert any questions you have about the wine making process. This isn’t a “class” it’s a conversation.

Your ticket includes everything for the full behind-the-scenes experience:

• 90-minute guided tasting with our winemaker Robert Loomis

• Behind-the-scenes access to our wine production area (barrel room and tank room)

• Multiple tastings of wines at different stages of development—including 2024 vintages still in process

• Educational walkthrough of aging decisions, blending choices, and release timing

• Small bites to cleanse your palate between tastings

• Plus we are releasing 1 new wine + re-releasing another on the day of this tasting and you’ll get to be one of the first to take a bottle home!

Not to mention: The kind of insider knowledge that transforms how you taste every bottle you open from now on. This isn't just a tasting—it's a masterclass in what makes great wine, taught by the person making the decisions.

You deserve a night off! But we will warn you - plan ahead for a ride home because this tasting is a LOT of wine!

When: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Investment: $95 per person (includes the full 90-minute experience, all tastings, small bites, and insider access most visitors never get)

What to Bring: Your curiosity, questions for Robert, and permission to take 90 minutes just for yourself

Group Size: Limited to 16 guests—small enough for real conversation and hands-on time with the wine thieves, but intimate enough that everyone can ask detailed questions without competing for attention

Age: 21+ (this is an educational tasting focused on wine development)

We're intentionally keeping this intimate—just 16 guests maximum—so everyone gets a hands-on experience and can ask Robert detailed questions about the specific wines you're tasting. This isn't a lecture. It's a conversation. And that only works when the group stays small!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE WINEMAKER'S BARREL TASTING

Never tasted from a barrel before? Perfect. Robert meets you exactly where you are—whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's been drinking wine for decades—and takes you deeper into understanding what makes great wine.

And yes, we know it's December 17th. You're thinking "I don't have time for this." But this isn't adding to your to-do list—it's giving you permission to step off it for 90 minutes. You deserve to do something for yourself in the middle of the madness!

After you reserve your spot, you'll receive:

• Confirmation email with all the details within 5 minutes

• Reminder 48 hours before the event with parking and arrival information