HotelChatter

Before we do, just a quick anecdote to highlight how special the Montage’s wine program truly is. The evening we were there, we indulged in a multi-course tasting menu by Chef Craig Strong at Studio, where in addition to the some fantastic wine pairings, we were also poured a very special glass of Vintage 1963 Taylor’s Port that they just happened to have open. Go figure that we could enjoy a wine in our own backyard that was as exquisite as any of the rare vintages we were poured on a recent trip to Oporto itself. That’s how seriously the resort takes its wine program.

The next day, clear-eyed and sober, we stopped by the weekly wine class that Beverage Director and Sommelier Troy Smith holds for staff members who are interested in wine education and hoping to earn a certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

The class, which goes according to a syllabus and has run its course twice in the past year, is open to any staff member who is interested, gets managerial approval in their department, and can fit the class into their work schedule. Though it’s mostly attended by Food & Beverage staff members, spa staff, front desk staff, and those from other departments have also participated.

While we were there, Smith walked the four pupils present through the wines of Portugal including Ports and Madeiras, then let them taste two table wines the resort serves to give them a benchmark of qualities to note (and pop quiz them on their regions of provenance and the grapes used to make them). In total, the class lasted about an hour, moved quickly to cover a lot, and was conversational and casual, though still quite focused.

At the end of the entire course, Smith arranges with the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers to hold a seminar and testing session at the resort (that’s also open to other sommelier hopefuls), and so far, over 60 staff members have been tested and passed the first level.

We love insurance and vacation days, but this is definitely a hotel job perk that got us excited.

Rates at the Montage Laguna Beach start at $645 a night in October.

Full disclosure: Eric Rosen was a guest of the Montage Laguna Beach for one night, but all opinions expressed are entirely his own.