Sipping in Style: Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour of 234 Wines Takes Chicago by Storm

Close to 1,000 passionate wine lovers gathered at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on April 26 for the first stop of Wine Spectator’s 2025 Grand Tour, where they tasted from a selection of 234 wineries. This event marked the beginning of a three-city tour, with upcoming stops in Washington D.C. on May 2 and Las Vegas on May 10, offering the chance to sample wines rated 90 points or higher from various regions and grape varieties.

Notably, several wineries participated for the first time, such as Aperture Cellars from Sonoma, Champagne Gosset, Château Lascombes, Oregon’s Stoller Family Estate, Camigliano from Tuscany, Poderi Luigi Einaudi from Piedmont, and Villa Bucci from Marche. Each showcased their unique offerings, attracting enthusiastic attendees eager to learn and engage.

Einaudi’s estate manager, Vittoria Abbona, presented the 95-point Barolo Cannubi 2021, marveling at the guests’ enthusiasm and knowledge of Italian wines. Additionally, the Château d’Estoublon from Provence, co-owned by former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, was represented with their Rosé, which provided a refreshing palate cleanser for guests sampling robust Brunellos and Napa Cabernets.

Guests also had the privilege of talking directly with winemakers. Melissa Burr from Stoller Family Estate poured the Reserve Pinot Noir (93 points) while reflecting on her recent loss of founder Bill Stoller. California winemaker Greg Brewer showcased his Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2023 (93 points) and emphasized the respect for guests that comes with such events.

Wine connoisseurs like Chicago native Tom McCall appreciated the opportunity to deepen their knowledge while tasting a diverse range of wines. Attendees created detailed plans to navigate the extensive offerings, with some expressing surprise at discovering new favorites like the Luigi Bosca Malbec 2021 from Argentina.

The Grand Tour also featured a number of extraordinary wines earning classic scores, including Barone Ricasoli’s Chianti Classico Gaiole Colledilà Gran Selezione 2021 and Antinori’s Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso 2021, both rated 97 points. Some returns were made by wineries like Paul Jaboulet Aîné, delighting attendees with their lineup, and older vintages also made an appearance as Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte offered its Brut Champagne Palmes d’Or 2008 (93 points) among others.

The Grand Tour next moves to Washington D.C. and Las Vegas, inviting even more wine enthusiasts to enjoy fine wines and engaging conversations with winemakers. For more information and tickets, visit the Grand Tour website.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!