STEVE THURLOW.COM

Wine, enjoyed in moderation, is a healthy food which enriches life.

Hello, Welcome to my website. I'm Steve Thurlow and I have been living with wine most of my life.

These days I help others enrich their lives by learning about the rewards of drinking wine or better wine; always remembering that, as with all things in life, excess can be dangerous.

Wine School
With my friend David Calado, I run the Global Wine Tour. If you love wine and would like to learn more about the wines of a particular country join one of our evening virtual wine tours held in Toronto. We cater to all levels of wine knowledge. Thousands of wine lovers have attended these courses and received knowledge that will last them a lifetime. Go to globalwinetour.com for more information.
Wine Tours
Imagine being in the vineyards of Sicily. With its splendid climate, magnificent ancient treasures and great beauty, Sicily is truly a feast for the senses.

Join me in the fall of 2010 on my 12 day all-inclusive excursion. I have been taking groups to Sicily since 2003. More...


Wine Awards
In June 2009 Wine Access held the annual international wine competition focused on wines under $25. The IVWA 2008 results were published in Wine Access Magazine and in Up! - Westjet's inflight magazine. The 2009 results were published in the October/November 2009 issue of Wine Access.

Wine Tastings
I conduct wine tasting events for private and corporate groups, sometimes these involve food and wine matching dinners, sometimes they form part of client appreciation events. All mix some fun with a little learning, since I am a wine entertainer at adult parties. Events like Bridal Showers, office parties with Wine and Chocolate, surprise 50th Birthdays.... More...

Wine Consulting
I am especially interested in enhancing the delivery of wine in bars and restaurants. Over the years I have trained hundreds of serving staff and have increased sales of wine both by volume and by value in countless establishments by the application of proven methodologies for communicating wine and for the design of wine lists and menus. More...

Wine Qualifications
As Education Director for the Independent Wine Education Guild (IWEG) I am responsible for the delivery of the International Wine & Spirit Trust (WSET) programs to the wine trade in Ontario. For the last 30 years this group has taught most of the LCBO's wine consultants and many of the wine agents and wine sommeliers working in Ontario. The WSET certificates and diplomas are recognized everywhere in the world that wine is served. More....

Wine Reviews
I am Senior Editor at Wine Access, Canada's national wine magazine, and as a member of the magazine's tasting panel, I taste and review thousands of wines each year. I am also a member of the critics panel at Wine Align. Go to both websites to read my reveiws and those of other critics. I travel frequently to wine producing regions all over the world, something that I have been doing for most of my adult life.

About Steve | Tours | Festivals | Tastings | Consulting

Qualifications | Reviews | Events

What's New
Update February 7, 2010
Upcoming Overseas Gourmet Tours - Real Wine Tours

Sicily
Sep. 19 to 30, 2010
Join Steve Thurlow as he explores the wine, food and culture of Sicily. This all-inclusive accompanied 12 day tour is only $3690 per person....more >>

Prague, Vienna and Budapest 60% SOLD
Danube River Cruise
Oct. 1 to 12, 2010
Join Steve Thurlow on a Danube cruise exploring the wine, beer, food and culture of Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovak Republic and Hungary while touring the medieval towns that lie along this ancient river route. ...more >>

South Africa via Dubai SOLD OUT
Nov. 5 to 22, 2010
Join Steve Thurlow as he explores the wine, food and culture of South Africa. The tour will cover wineries in the Cape Winelands and will include a stay at a game park on the Garden Route. Outbound from Toronto to Cape Town flying with Emirates in a brand new Airbus 380 with a 2 night stopover in Dubai. The return to Toronto is from Port Elizabeth via Dubai.... more >>

New Zealand and Australia Cruise Now Booking - 5% early booking discount until April 20, 2010
February 23 to March 13, 2011
Join Steve Thurlow as he explores the wine, food and culture of Australia and New Zealand. All inclusive 19 day accompanied cruise tour. Fly to Auckland for three days pre-cruise tour then embark on Holland America Line, MS Volendam. Cruise to Rotorua, Gisborne, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Milford Sound in New Zealand then to Burnie, Tasmania and Melbourne terminating in Sydney. All inclusive wine tours to wineries in Auckland, Gisborne, Martinborough, Marlborough, Waipara, Tasmania, and Yarra Valley. Optional four day extension in Sydney and Hunter Valley...more >>

Greece IN PLANNING
October 2011
Join Steve Thurlow as he explores the wine, food and culture of Southern Greece. The tour will include Crete, Santorini, Peloponnese and Athens....more >

South Africa via Dubai IN PLANNING
November 2011
Join Steve Thurlow as he explores the wine, food and culture of South Africa. The tour will cover wineries in the Cape Winelands and will include a stay at a game park on the Garden Route. Outbound from Toronto to Cape Town flying with Emirates on the Airbus 380 with a 2 night stopover in Dubai. The return to Toronto is from Port Elizabeth via Dubai....Email Steve

Trip Photos

Go here to see photos of previous tours to Greece, Sicily and New Zealand... more >>

Virtual Wine Tours in Toronto

Your journey into the fascinating world of wine starts here:

South Africa: Friday, March 12th, 2010

Workshop : Fundamentals of Wine & Food: Level I Saturday April 17, 2010

This full day workshop is an introduction to the art of pairing food with wine. It is ideal for boosting the confidence of new wine drinkers when faced with making a wine choice at a restaurant or in a store, as well as providing a foundation of knowledge for the intermediate wine aficionado who desires to learn more on this fascinating subject.

See globalwinetour.com for info

Over 1500 people have attended these wine sessions over the years.... So many that I am now kept busy delivering sessions to their friends and work colleagues that they organize in their homes and workplaces.

Give the gift of a lifetime, organize a session for people you know in your condo party room, sailing club, home, boardroom, community hall, etc.

If you have a group in mind, but are stuck for a location, don't worry I know many friendly restaurateurs who can accommodate groups wishing to learn more about how they enrich their lives with wine.