20th year teaching this program and it keeps getting stronger, as do I.

It was always my intention to become the best wine teacher possible...

After taking thousands of wine classes myself and watching some of the smartest wine geeks on the planet FAIL to entertain, inspire and educate.... I was always sure I could do better... because I had to... I was never smart enough to bore and still gain respect... I had to be better.

WINE CAMP - An Introduction to Wine by Ian Blackburn, Wine Educator

Since 1997 - 100,000 have taken this class - 10-20-40-100 at a time.... sometimes 4-5-6 classes a week!! sometimes 3 classes a day... and I still love it.

WINE CAMP - "THE" class for the 95% of the people that know little to nothing about wine.... or for the 25% that think they do and need to have "some truth" poured for them .... or for the 5% that actually do know a bunch about wine but want to see a "teach the teacher" approach... WINE CAMP!!!

The truth will always be... there is going to be someone (maybe 10,000 someone's) that knows way more about wine than I do ... It seems the more I know, the more I realize I don't know and I really think that has helped me remain grounded.... and humbled by the AWESOMENESS that is wine and the topic I teach.

SOME (not all of course) that know a TON more than; many times seem to have forgotten how to communicate to those that don't know about wine .... or perhaps never grasped that concept in the first place. They go so deep down the vortex of wine information; they crush the student's joy and capacity to learn... the ability to ingest information ... Educating students about wine is like sipping wine, you don't drink the entire bottle at once. Educating students about wine has one more twist, the student must want to learn and must! want to be there... otherwise, it's like pouring wine into a glass that is full, the cup runneth over.

WINE CAMP is a perfect place to send your friends, to correct evils, to ask the unaskable... to demystify... to refine... to understand... the always good answer is WINE CAMP. The A, B, C's and the 1, 2, 3's... but with humor, and quality facts, figures, information - all served on time... like a 5-course meal with wine pairing.. the right information at the right moment matters... and the correct wine with the correct course... on time... matters the most.

www.THEwineCAMP.com - I teach this class once a month if not more... it allows me to remain polished, but not boring... to remain free thinking... but not stale. Those that teach will understand that the power of the performance must equal the quantity of the information.. and the information must be consumed with an appetite and leave the guest wanting one more sip... and not over serve. A passionate connection with an audience is key... and so often missed by other programs.. and the teachers with the massive set of credentials.

10000 classes have made me strong, confident, and competent... failures taught me truths... and successes and love letters continue to inspire. Several glasses of great references with legendary wine heroes.... have shaped me. Sure, sometimes I suck... sometimes the crowd sucks... but I try very hard and some days you're not as good as you wish.... it happens... I will teach as long as those days remain few... and on those days... I drink lots beer.

Ian Blackburn runs wineLA.com - a wine school and wine activity site for the blessed that live in Los Angeles. www.TheWineCamp.com for a list of wine camp sessions. Spelling and grammar corrections are always appreciated... I'm a wine teacher, not a grammar expert... but I do wish I could do both for sure.