Ian Blackburn discovered the wine industry while visiting the Napa Valley as a College Student at Cal Poly Pomona - meeting legends like Joseph Phelps, and Robert Mondavi.  Ian quickly moved his focus from back of the house (Chef) to the front of the house (Sommelier) and focused on wine after working with Chef’s like Thomas Keller at Checkers and Joachim Splichal at Patina.  For over 30 years, Ian is considered one of the region’s best wine educators and works for his Friends and Followers (follow me here)!  See Ian's list of classes, tastings, dinners and travel experiences at Learnaboutwine.com

TIMELINE

• 1995 Learnaboutwine was founded 
• 1997 The first Wine Camp Session was held in Santa Monica.
• 2003-2005 TASTE on Two Rodeo – weekly tastings on Rodeo Drive
• 2005 LASupportsLA donated $250K to Hurricane Katrina Charities
• 2007 Ian was featured on ABC’s The Bachelor as a Wine Educator
• 2009 Ian started Beekeeper Cellars as the owner and co-winemaker with friend Clay Mauritson.
• 2010 Sold 5000 Groupons in one day to survive the great recession
• 2014 Invited to sit for the Master of Wine Exam
• 2016 Appeared in the Movie “Sour Grapes” – Yes, Rudi was originally a student and friend of LearnAboutWine 
• 2020 Pandemic pivot to Wine Retail - and www.Merchantofwine.com was born and going strong.
• 2022 Appeared in the Movie “A Perfect Vintage” 
• 2025 Reopened our Classroom in the Arts District

Thank you for the privilege of being your wine teacher!