Curated wine journeys, cultural experiences, & global community.

ELEVATING LIFE THROUGH

We bring together everyone from curious novices to seasoned connoisseurs to explore the world through wine.

As your passport to wine culture & global adventure, The Cultured Somm curates exceptional experiences that blend education, travel, and cultural discovery—transforming every tasting, event, & trip into an opportunity for connection and joy. From intimate wine gatherings to grand adventures across renowned vineyards, we're here to elevate your wine journey.

Discover our curated experiences.

CULTIVATING JOIE DE VIVRE THROUGH WINE

  • Elevate any event with customized wine pairings and fun, accessible wine education. From your book club to your holiday party, your small business’s next Sip & Shop to your charity’s annual fundraiser – share global wine with your guests and clients.

    The sky's the limit for customization at The Cultured Somm. We believe that the perfect wine event begins by getting to know you and your individual preferences so that we can curate a customized, virtual or in-person, sommelier-led journey for you and your guests.

    • Our sample wine tasting themes include:

      1. Wine 101

      2. Exploring a particular grape varietal or style

      3. Exploring a particular wine region

      4. Pairing Wine with Food

      5. Wine Ageability: Exploring Different Vintages of the Same Wine

      6. How to Shop Your Local Wine Store: Basic, Better, Best

      7. Entertaining & Wine

      8. Introduction to Wine Collecting & Proper Storage

    • Our past wine events & experiences, as well as sample offerings, include:

      1. Taking a book club on a journey through the wines of the region in the novel they discussed

      2. Curating a Sip & Shop for a local woman-owned business featuring wines from women-owned wineries

      3. Curating wines for a milestone birthday weekend, including an intimate 5-course dinner party

      4. Taking a family on a journey through wines matched with the specific itinerary destinations for their upcoming travels

      5. Providing sustainably-farmed, organic wines along with customized education materials & tasting notes for an environmental NGO’s annual fundraiser

      6. Hosting an outdoor film screening of Widow Clicquot, with curated Veuve Clicquot champagne and snack pairings, followed by an educational discussion

    Elevate Your Next Event with a Wine Adventure

  • After decades spent living and traveling extensively around the globe and across the United States, The Cultured Somm’s expertise is where wine meets wanderlust. Our passion is curating custom global wine journeys for all fellow wine lovers, whether you are exploring a new wine region for the first time or returning to Napa or Bordeaux for your annual trip. Uncork your next wine adventure through our carefully curated wine region travel guides and customized travel concierge services. 

    • We offer an array of Wine Travel & Concierge Services, including:

      • Wine country guides for destinations across the U.S. & around the globe.

      • Hourly-rate consultation services, both virtual and in-person, for travelers wishing to customize our guides.

      • Complete customization: we will work hand-in-hand with you to plan the wine journey of your dreams.

      • Take The Cultured Somm with you on your next adventure. For those who seek expert guidance and cultural insights on every step of their wine journey, please inquire about having a WSET Level 3 Sommelier and former U.S. diplomat accompany your group on your next wine trip.

    Uncork Your Next Wine Adventure

  • The world of wine is vast and navigating the global market as a consumer, business, or collector is much easier with an expert guide. We’ve tasted thousands of wines around the globe and met with many of the wonderful winemakers and small business owners crafting them. Let us harness our expertise to help you start or curate your collection, impress your guests, or refresh your restaurant and/or bar’s wine list and provide training for your team. Our passion is bringing our global discoveries to your dining room. Whether you host one dinner party a year or hundreds of diners a night, offering customized, curated wine pairings from The Cultured Somm will elevate the experience and enjoyment of all your guests.

    • Start or curate your collection

    • Impress your guests

    • Refresh your restaurant and/or bar’s wine list

    • Provide training for your team

    We also accept invitations to review brand samples and wines, vineyards, wine tastings, trade events, restaurants and bars with wine offerings, and related products. We only feature brands and products we believe are aligned with our values and are of interest to our community. Please contact us to discuss a review or partnership further.

    Book Your Wine Consultation Today

  • Get your weekly dose of wine from the comfort of your own home. Each week we offer wine tips & tricks, travel ideas & destinations, weekend wine deals and steals with tasting notes, and highlight global wine and winery discoveries for our discerning community. We also feature wine & food pairing tips and suggestions with monthly recipes, entertaining ideas & guides, and all you need to savor our global wine discoveries one sip at a time and truly luxuriate in our shared global wine community and lifestyle.

    Follow the Latest Tips & Deals

UNCORK YOUR WINE JOURNEY

Expand your palate and your horizons with The Cultured Somm’s Wine Tasting Classes located in a beautiful, private home in Annapolis, MD.

Wine Tasting Classes

EXPERIENCE JOIE DE VIVRE WITH OUR

EXPLORE CLASSES

Bringing world-class wine knowledge down to earth.

Stephanie L. Schmid offers a unique perspective shaped by years of global travel and cultural immersion. As a former U.S. diplomat who holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit from the prestigious Napa Valley Wine Academy, Stephanie combines wine expertise with authentic cultural understanding. Through The Cultured Somm, she shares her passion for making wine culture accessible and entertaining, while honoring the heritage behind each bottle, and creating extraordinary connections through wine discovery across Maryland, Washington, D.C., the greater National Capital Region, and around the globe.

MORE ABOUT OUR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Merci! Your journey into the world of wine starts here. 
We're perfecting every detail of your experience and can't wait to share it with you. 
 
In the meantime, follow along on Instagram @theculturedsomm

A seat at our global wine table awaits.

Join our community for exclusive updates and upcoming experiences as we build out our full suite of experiences.

Toasts of appreciation.

  • “When I tasted wine with The Cultured Somm she helped me to truly ‘see’ something I had been blind to. These joyous little gems of discovery have happened with her in a range of environments, from traveling in Italy to intimate in-home tastings. That’s what wine is all about: joy and learning and discovery every day, and any day, from the comfort of your own home to special, one of a kind experiences.”

    KATIE TROUTMAN MUGNAINI

  • "Stephanie guided us through a DELICIOUS, fun, and mind blowing event! I was wowed by the information she shared and how she shared it (wine + food pairing). My favorite part is that she selected wines from our local store, so I was able to go and buy them the next day! It was an amazing experience and I cannot wait for the next one."

    NATALIE REID

  • "The Celebrate Spring Blooms class was nothing short of exceptional. The ambiance was elegant with a beautiful table setting that included sparkling wine glasses and beautiful charcuterie plates. The selection of wines was thoughtfully curated by The Cultured Somm. Each pour was accompanied by detailed explanations, with the Somm guiding us through the nuances of aroma, body, and finish. The depth of her knowledge and traveled experiences shown through. Pairing the wines with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie elevated the experience further, allowing us to appreciate the balance between flavors. The exchange of comments and questions added to the experience. The class was a delightful blend of education and indulgence, making it a perfect event for those looking to deepen their appreciation for fine wines."

    DEBORAH BRAFFORD

  • "Our experience with Stephanie and The Cultured Somm can not have been improved! From the amazing setting in her home, to the wonderful wine and food pairings, to the exceptional education, everything was simply perfect! Highly recommend with no reservations! Treat yourself and your friends!"

    ALLYN FITZGERALD

  • "Stephanie is a world-class Somm and overall event host! She has an incredible ability to engage those of all levels of knowledge, while bringing true joy to it all. I had Stephanie lead a blind tasting with over 10 women and we learned so much that we could put right to use, both personally and for hosting! Thank you Stephanie!"

    MEG LEONARD

Where will wine take you?

YOUR WINE JOURNEY AWAITS

Questions about varietals, regions, pairings, events, or wine travel? Whether you're curious about wine basics or seeking deeper knowledge, let's connect.

INDULGE TODAY