A Taste of Napa and Sonoma in Laguna Beach

Corporate wine tastings can go one of two ways.

Guests gather around a few high-top tables, sample a handful of wines, politely nod at the tasting notes, and head off to dinner.

Or they leave talking about the experience for the rest of the week.

For a recent corporate retreat in Laguna Beach, we set out to create the latter.

Working alongside our clients at Fisher Vineyards and HdV, we transformed an afternoon tasting into an immersive master class inside the stunning GW Contemporary gallery along the Pacific Ocean. Rather than simply pouring wines, we built the experience around a single idea: ELEVATE.

The discussion explored how elevation shapes every aspect of winegrowing, from longer growing seasons and dramatic temperature swings to the structure, freshness, and complexity found in the glass. Cameron Fisher of Fisher Vineyards and Nathan Olver of HdV guided guests through the conversation, sharing how mountain vineyards produce wines with distinctive character that simply cannot be replicated at lower elevations.

The setting made the experience even more memorable. Gallery owner Genevieve Williams welcomed guests with her signature warmth and gracious hospitality before leading a captivating tour of the gallery's remarkable collection of contemporary works. Surrounded by inspiring art and sweeping views of the Laguna Beach arts district, guests were invited to slow down, look closely, and appreciate craftsmanship in all its forms. It was the perfect complement to an afternoon centered on thoughtful winemaking.

That's what makes experiences like these so powerful.

They create context.

Instead of remembering a list of tasting notes, guests remember the story behind the wine. They remember the people who made it, the landscapes where it was grown, and the conversations shared over each pour. Those memories become the foundation for stronger relationships with the brand.

For family-owned wineries, these experiences are invaluable. They introduce new audiences to the people and philosophies behind the label while creating authentic moments that inspire future visits, wine club memberships, and lasting brand loyalty.

At Dunstan Creative, we believe the best wine experiences don't happen by accident. They're thoughtfully curated to educate, entertain, and create meaningful connections that extend far beyond the final glass.

Sometimes all it takes is the right story, the right setting, and a room full of curious guests willing to be elevated.