Your wine tasting kit includes:
- Portugal Tempranillo 2024
- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2024
- Côtes du Roussillon Villages Red Blend 2023
- French Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rose from France
- Sauvignon Blanc/Picpoul Blanc called Bordeaux Blend
NOTE: Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate in alcohol-related events
DEADLINE: Ticket sales end February 2, 2026 at 4 PM CT to allow for time to ship the wine tasting kit.
Calling All Wine Lovers!
Join Rick Steves for a live Zoom tasting adventure featuring Europe’s best-kept wine secrets. Sip six exquisite red, white, and rosé wines, learn the stories behind each bottle, and take a stand for your local PBS station — all from the comfort of home.
Whether you're a long-time wine aficionado or just beginning your tasting journey, we welcome you! Sip along during this delightful evening with Rick and listen to his stories, tasting notes, and learn more about the different European wine varietals and flavors.
A professional sommelier will guide you and Rick through a curated tasting of six European wines shipped right to your door. Practice the five S’s of wine tasting —see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor—and develop your palate while getting to know Rick.
This virtual adventure with Rick Steves is filled with discovery, a bit of indulgence, and laughter. You're sure to learn something new about the wonderful world of wine- and perhaps about Rick too!
Support Smoky Hills PBS by purchasing a ticket to this entertaining evening with Rick Steves.
How It Works ...
Reserve your kit — we’ll send you a link to the recording of the February 26, 2026 Wine Tasting.
Receive your tasting kit— 6 mini bottles of red, white, and rosé wines, delivered directly to your door. We will make sure you have tracking emails every step of the way!
Taste on your schedule — Join live or press play on the recording, pour your wine, and join Rick and our sommelier for an engaging, fun-filled evening from your living room, kitchen, or wherever you choose.
Q & A
Will I receive tracking information for my wine kit?
We will send out a “Your Kit Has Shipped” email.
Yes. Tracking information will come directly from the vendor once the kit has shipped.
Kits will ship on a rolling basis starting the week of February 9 and will arrive in homes by February 25, 2026
How quickly will I receive my order?
Kits will START to be shipped the week of February 9, and all kits should arrive by February 25 as long as someone age 21+ with a valid ID is home to receive the kit. Note that UPS will make up to 3 attempts to deliver the wine tasting kit. After that, the kit will be returned to the sender.
I was not home to receive my kit, now what?
UPS will leave an attempted delivery message if needed with their next intended drop off date. They will make up to 3 attempts.
Can you guarantee delivery on a certain day or time? Unfortunately, no.
Can it be shipped to my PO Box?
No. Someone needs to be home to sign and prove that they are at least 21 years old.
Do I have to be home to receive my wine kit?
Yes. This package needs to be signed upon delivery to prove that the receiver is age 21+.
What should I do if my order was damaged in transit?
If your order was damaged in transit, please reach out to membership@shptv.org or call 1-800-337-4788.
Guests should open their kit as soon as it arrives so ensure that all materials are accounted for
This is a gift- will there be a receipt in the package?
When shipping out your order, a receipt, invoice, or packing slip is not included in the package.
Can kit purchasers include a customized note to their gift recipient? Sorry, no.
Where else can kits not be shipped?
Kits cannot be shipped to Canada, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Utah.
● Kits cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.
About the Wine
Do I need to be 21+ to participate in this event? Yes
Does everyone planning to taste need to purchase a ticket/ kit?
Each ticket comes with 6 bottles of mini wine, enough for two to taste. If more than two people plan to taste, an additional kit should be purchased. Each mini bottle is 187 ml.
What is the shelf life of the mini wine bottles?
These wines are best enjoyed within 3-4 months, if unopened. Once opened, the wine should be consumed within a few days.
What kind of wines are included on this kit? The European varietals include:
Portugal Tempranillo 2024
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2024
Côtes du Roussillon Villages Red Blend 2023
French Cabernet Sauvignon
Rose from France
Sauvignon Blanc/Picpoul Blanc called Bordeaux Blend
What is included in the wine tasting kit?
● 6 mini bottles of wine (enough for two to taste) that will be shipped directly to your door
● Each mini bottle is 187 ml.
I attended this event in 2024 and/or 2025. Will the wines be different?
● Yes, all 6 mini bottles of wine are different from the events in 2024 and in 2025.
Do the wines need to be refrigerated?
The entire box that is shipped to you can be stored in the fridge. You may have heard that red wines should be served at “room temperature” but the optimal wine storage temperature is somewhere in the middle of 70F and 45F, so sticking the whole box in the fridge makes it easy! Before the event, be sure to open each mini bottle right before the tasting to let the wine breathe.
What do I need to prepare beforehand for this event?
Our first suggestion would be to have a strong internet connection! Next is to prepare the wine: Stick the entire kit in the fridge for at least 1 hour and open each mini bottle right before the tasting and let that wine breathe. Then you should gather your gear: At least 2 wine glasses and water.
What wines come with my kit?
GBH will provide CDP with a full list of wines, who will provide the list to all stations. This list will be sent to all stations in January. See more under the “wines” section.
Do you have any snacks recommended for the tasting?
You can pair any of your favorite snacks like pretzels or classic potato chips with these wines; or you could pair these wines with more classic snacks, such goat cheese, chocolate or an olive tapenade.
Do I need a bottle opener?
No, all wines are twist open.
Can I participate without the wine kit?
No.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the kit?
No.
Where can I purchase more of this wine?
This wine tasting kit was created specifically for this event
Similar wines and tasting kits can be purchased directly through: https://ingoodtaste.com/
ZOOM Access
Can I share the Zoom link with a friend if I am unable to join the event? No
How can I submit a question(s) to Rick Steves?
You will be able to submit your questions to Rick (and the sommelier) during the event using the Q&A Zoom feature. Attendees will be able to “upvote” the questions they want to hear asked the most. We will focus on the questions with the most votes. Unfortunately, we cannot promise all questions will be answered.
What do I do if I cannot find a Zoom link?
● Each station’s customer service person/team should be prepared to answer questions from their guests leading up to 4 PM CT on 2/26. After that, GBH will provide customer service. Anything that the station’s customer service person/team cannot answer should be send to events@wgbh.org.
Will Rick Steves be able to give a shoutout during the event? No
How do I get my Zoom link for this event?
● The Zoom link will be sent to all ticket purchasers immediately following their purchase of the ticket in their confirmation email. Attendees may need to access their email’s JUNK/SPAM FOLDER to find this email. Along with the confirmation email, the Zoom link will be sent to all attendees in reminder emails 1 week, 24 hours, and 1 hour before the event.
● The Zoom link, call in phone number, webinar ID and password in all confirmation and reminder emails.
Will the event be captioned?
● Yes
● Captions will be provided by our friends at Partners Interpreting. Do you need any additional accommodation that we should be made aware of to participate in this event? If so, please contact us for a minimum of one week in advance of the event. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Reach us during regular business hours M-F, 9am-5pm at 617-300-3300 or via email: info@wgbh.org.
● Please share this information with all ticket holders
What do I do if I am having technical difficulties during the event?
● Each station’s customer service person/team should be prepared to answer questions from their guests leading up to 4 PM CT on 2/26/26. After that, GBH will provide customer service. Anything that the station’s customer service person/team cannot answer should be sent to events@wgbh.org.
● Please share this information with all ticket holders
I have never used Zoom, what do I do?
● Before this event, you will need to download Zoom. Zoom is free to the public and you can download it here. If you already have Zoom you will not need to download the platform again.
Refunds
The wine did not get to me until AFTER the event, I would like to be refunded for this event.
● We are terribly sorry the wine kit was not delivered on time. This event has been recorded and will be sent to all ticket holders 1 week after the event. We hope you are still able to enjoy the event. We will still issue you a refund due to the inconvenience.
OTHER
Is there a tax benefit for this event? No