Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Premier Destination for Wine Education in NYC
Founded in 2002, NYC Wine Company has established itself as a premier provider of wine education in New York City. Our founder, Andrew Harwood, brings decades of hands-on experience from renowned vineyards in Hungary, France, and California, complemented by formal hospitality education from Cornell University. We specialize in demystifying wine selection through structured classes that explore varietals, regional differences, and food pairings. Our team includes industry professionals like Chef Melissa Iacono, who contributes culinary expertise to wine dinners, and Sommelier Adrian Murcia, whose accredited training enhances our educational offerings. We emphasize experiential learning, offering in-person classes and events that combine theoretical knowledge with practical tasting techniques.Our programs cater to both novices and enthusiasts, focusing on developing individual palates through curated experiences. With media features in The New York Times and Wine Spectator, we maintain a reputation for accessible, engaging wine education. Our commitment to quality is reflected in partnerships with top-tier venues like Some Good Wine and hands-on involvement in winemaking projects. We provide flexible learning options, including gift certificates for classes that offer lasting educational value. Through consistent innovation, such as our 2022 launch of Workshop Cellars, we continue advancing wine appreciation in urban settings.
Services
Wine Classes
Tasting Events
Private Dinners
Gift Certificates
Winemaking Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- Founder Andrew Harwood brings 20+ years of winemaking experience from Hungary, France, and California
- Curriculum developed with Cornell University hospitality expertise
- Featured in The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and Food & Wine magazine
- Hands-on approach combining classroom instruction with practical tastings
- Collaborations with Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning vineyards
Associations and certifications
- American Sommelier Association
Services
Wine 101 Class
Our foundational course teaches wine fundamentals through guided tastings of six varietals. Students learn aroma identification, tasting techniques, and basic pairing principles. Ideal for beginners seeking structured wine education in a social setting.
Regional Wine Tasting
Explore specific wine-producing areas through comparative tastings of three distinct regional styles. Sessions include terroir analysis, historical context, and food pairing demonstrations. Designed for enthusiasts seeking deeper geographical understanding.
Private Wine Dinner
Curated multi-course meals featuring wine and food harmonization principles. Each dinner includes sommelier-led explanations of pairing mechanics and ingredient interactions. Available for groups of 8-20 guests at partner restaurants.
Winemaking Workshop
Hands-on grape processing and blending sessions at our California vineyard. Participants create custom blends using professional equipment under winemaker supervision. Includes bottling and label design components.
Corporate Team Building
Customizable wine education programs for businesses. Activities include blind tasting competitions, collaborative blending challenges, and wine aroma identification games. Designed to enhance teamwork through sensory engagement.
People
Andrew Harwood
Founder
Established NYC Wine Company in 2002 after working at Bordeaux's Chateau Lynch-Bages and earning Cornell hospitality credentials. Former Assistant Winemaker at Limerick Lane Cellars with ongoing vineyard projects in California.
Melissa Iacono
Chef & Events
Manages culinary aspects of wine dinners since 2017. Coordinates winemaking projects in California, overseeing production from harvest to bottling. Combines gastronomy expertise with wine education for immersive experiences.
Adrian Murcia
Guest Speaker
Certified Sommelier with American Sommelier Association accreditation. Former Fromager at Chanterelle Restaurant, specializing in Spanish wine regions. Develops specialized seminar content based on international wine research.
Questions
What types of wine classes do you offer?
We provide Wine 101 fundamentals, regional deep dives, varietal-specific tastings, and advanced pairing workshops. All classes include six wines with guided instruction.
Are classes available as gifts?
Yes! Our Anytime Class Certificates allow recipients to choose from all available courses. Digital certificates are instantly deliverable with physical options available.
Where are classes held?
Most sessions occur at Some Good Wine (13 E 8th St). Private events take place at partner venues including Michelin-starred restaurants and boutique wine shops.
Can I book a private event?
We host customized wine dinners and corporate events for groups of 8-20. Options include chef collaborations, vineyard virtual tours, and team-building tastings with professional facilitation.
Do you offer refunds or rescheduling?
Tickets may be transferred to another date with 48-hour notice. Full refunds available for cancellations made at least 7 days before scheduled events.
Reviews (5)
Maurice Frank
Jun 10, 2020
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Wonderful experience! Learned so much about Tuscan wines and cheese pairings. Spent the next week repeating the experience. Were going to take more of Andrews classes. So well done! Highly recommended! Very knowledgeable and and accessible to all questions from the group we attended with.
Mike S.
Mar 07, 2020
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With the recent coronavirus outbreak, we were worried this morning because I woke up sick and with a fever. My wife, who is a chef and works in the food industry, called the NYC Wine Company to let them know I was sick and whether we could reschedule or not. They said no, sorry. I was prepared to attend although I don't feel well but thought it would be better to be safer than sorry by not attending as this is a public health issue. Too bad NYC Wine Company doesn't see it that way and values $$$ over public safety and their potential customers. Thumbs down for your archaic policy in the
Megan Wright
Jan 25, 2020
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I have attended at least 5 classes with Andrew at NYC Wine Company. He offers a variety of classes focusing on many different regions. You can learn about classics such as Italian, French or Californian wines or lesser well known regions such as Croatia, Hungary and Portugal. You taste about 8 wines, which have been thoughtfully paired with Murray's cheeses and delicious breads. Andrew is extremely knowledgeable and helps guide you through each wine's aroma and tasting notes with warmth and openness, understanding that we all have different palates that smell and taste differently. NYC Wine Company
Anthony Scrima
Dec 17, 2019
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Such a informative, and high-quality wine class. My girlfriend and I took the Tuscany region wine class. Andrew, the host of the wine classes, is incredibly knowledgeable and will provide you with helpful facts, terminology, and answer any question you have regarding the experience. Also, the selection of wines, locally-bought cheeses and breads, were great and we enjoyed them throughly
The classes take place in a home which makes it feel like youre just over for a good time with friends. I highly suggest taking one of the wine classes with them! Thanks again, we will be back!
The classes take place in a home which makes it feel like youre just over for a good time with friends. I highly suggest taking one of the wine classes with them! Thanks again, we will be back!
Hall W.
Dec 16, 2019
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I had the fine people at NYC Wine Company host our holiday party of 40 and wow it was simply a delight all the way through!
1. They pick fun wines that have a story and still accessible (like not the stuff you need to fork over life savings for).
2. As good... if not better than the wines were the cheese and bread pairings. Not just the perfect pairing but amazing in it of itself!
3. The SOMs are just delightful personalities... fun but totally know there stuff.
1. They pick fun wines that have a story and still accessible (like not the stuff you need to fork over life savings for).
2. As good... if not better than the wines were the cheese and bread pairings. Not just the perfect pairing but amazing in it of itself!
3. The SOMs are just delightful personalities... fun but totally know there stuff.
