Art and Science of Blending Wine 2025

picture of people sitting at a table blending wine

Join us March 14th for the 3rd Annual "Art & Science of Blending Wine" hosted by Aggies Uncorked, and with special guest winemaker Patrick Saboe. Patrick is Director of Winemaking at Wine Foundry in Napa Valley and a 2002 graduate of UC Davis Viticulture and Enology.  This hands-on blending experience has you follow the same process a winemaking team uses to craft the award- winning wines. Patrick will demonstrate how winemaking is both science and art. In addition to learning how to dissect barrel samples from a winemaker’s perspective, you’ll use tools of the trade to craft several unique blends.
 
Registrations has closed for the event.
 
WINEMAKER FOR A DAY
Equipped with new blending skills, teams of participants will work together to craft their ideal blend. Patrick will then taste and select the best 'Napa Valley Red Wine', which will then form the backbone of our upcoming Alumni III bottling.  The winners names will be listed on the bottle of wine, and will forever be "a winning wine blender."
 
Whether wine knowledgeable or wine curious, the blending experience and farm-to-fork dinner is truly exciting, delicious, and educational!
 
bottle of uc davis alumni red wine with blenders names
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABOUT HOST
Aggies Uncorked is the official UC Davis Alumni Wine Club focused on fun, education, and community.  Members of our one-of-a-kind wine club get access to amazing wines from our talented alumni winemakers, as well as invitations to virtual wine tastings and interactive events like this Blending Seminar.  Not a member yet? Learn more and join today:
 

EVENT DETAILS 

Date: Friday, March 14th, 2025
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Walter Buehler Alumni Center (map)

DINNER MENU

  • UC Davis Student Farm Cilantro Chimichurri Aggie Raised Tri-Tip Steak
  • Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (Vegetarian entree, please make dietary request in event signup form)
  • Smashed Baby Potatoes with Herb Aioli
  • Grilled Asparagus with Sliced Almonds and Russell Ranch Sundried Tomatoes
  • Rue and Forsman Ranch Wild Rice Salad with Cucumber, Green Onions, Fava Beans, Cherry Tomatoes and Spring Peas tossed in a Sweet Mustard-Tarragon Dressing 
  • Chopped Romaine, House-made Croutons, House-made Caesar Dressing (without Anchovies) and Parmesan Cheese
  • Rustic Breads, Garlic Bread and Naan with Olive Tapenade
  • Apple Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream 


TICKETS

  • Aggies Uncorked or CAAA Members and their guests
    • $130 /person
  • Non-members (this is be a great reason to become a member!)
    • $150 /person
  • UC Student, Staff & Faculty
    • $115 /person

Please purchase tickets by March 9th so all wine blending and food orders can be placed in advance. 

This is an adults 21+ event

Included in ticket price:

  • Farm to Fork Buffet dinner with Aggie-raised beef, vegetarian options
  • A sampling of white wine to start the evening
  • Tasting and blending with 4 red wines
  • Blending guide and all the tools necessary
  • Participants will be placed in teams to create a unique blend.  A friendly competition will take place for "Best Blend" that will be used to make the third vintage of our Aggies Uncorked Alumni III wine.
  • Only 60 seats available so be sure to register today! 
     
Registrations has closed for the event.
 

PRESENTER

Image of Patrick Saboe
Patrick Saboe '02, Winemaker at Wine Foundry

In 1996, Patrick was reshaping the Charleston, SC restaurant scene, when a honeymoon to California’s wine country changed his life. Patrick traded kitchen tools for winemaking textbooks by enrolling in the Enology & Viticulture program at U.C. Davis. In 2012 he was placed as the Director Winemaking at The Wine Foundry, Foundry Wines and the sister brand, Anarchist Wine Co.

 

 

 

group pic of winning wine blending time

The winning team! In 2024, teams learned, blended, and competed for the top wine of the evening.  Afterward, Patrick took the wine percentages and 'recreated' the blend back at Wine Foundry. That became the limited edition, Alumni II, which was released and sold during the Fall and Holidays last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOCATION AND PARKING

Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center 

530 Alumni Lane, Davis CA 95616

View link to map on Google

There is parking in the Gateway Parking Structure, about 100 yards away.

 

Questions? Email aggiesuncorked@ucdavis.edu