Wine Tasting & Education Program
Join Shift’s guest-certified sommelier, Montana Rae, for this bi-monthly experience.
Sessions are offered at Shift Littleton on the second Wednesday of each month and Shift Bannock on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
See you at our next session!
Shift Bannock: Wednesday, February 12
Shift Littleton: Wednesday, February 19
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January 8
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10
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January 15
February 19
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
Sip, Swoon, Repeat: Valentine’s Wine Tasting
FEBRUARY 12 & 19, 2025
Whether you’re toasting with your soulmate or your besties or just indulging in a little self-love, this lineup of romantic pours is ready to set the mood. From bubbly flirtation to rich, velvety seduction, each wine tells a love story—one sip at a time. Get ready for a tasting that’s equal parts passion, playfulness, and pure indulgence. 🍷💋
Let’s raise a glass to love in all its forms—because great wine never ghosts. Cheers!
Your Effervescent Crush
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
North Coast, California (primarily Napa and Sonoma) | 100% Chardonnay
Flirtatious & Bubbly: This sparkling darling is crisp, lively, and full of charm. Expect a bouquet of green apple, lemon zest, and white flowers, with a hint of fresh-baked brioche—like a love note sealed with a kiss.
🍾 Perfect Date: Oysters, sushi, fried chicken (because opposites attract), or anything that calls for a little celebratory sparkle.
The Smooth Talker
Weingut Friedrich Becker Pinot Gris
Pfalz, Germany | 100% Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder)
Silky & Suave: This German beauty whispers sweet nothings of ripe pear, golden apple, and citrus, with a sultry hint of almond and spice. The texture? Pure poetry—rich yet refreshing, like a lover who knows exactly what to say.
🍽 Best Served With: Roast chicken, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta, or a fireside cheese plate. Bonus points if there's candlelight involved.
The Flirt You Can't Resist
Stolpman ‘Love You Bunches’ Rosé
Central Coast, California (Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County) | 100% Sangiovese
Fresh & Playful: This juicy Sangiovese rosé is like a cheeky wink from across the room. Notes of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus make it as bright and breezy as a new romance. Dry, crisp, and ready to keep things light (or get serious, depending on your mood).
🍓 Pairs With: Charcuterie, grilled shrimp, Caprese salad, or spontaneous picnics in the park. Ideal for first dates, best dates, or just treating yourself.
The Tall, Dark, and Handsome One
Casa Ferreirinha Papa Figos Tinto
Douro Valley, Portugal | A blend of traditional Portuguese varieties, including Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional
Rich & Mysterious: This Portuguese stunner brings deep blackberry, plum, and dark cherry flavors, laced with a bit of spice and cocoa—like a whispered promise you can’t forget. Smooth tannins and a velvety finish make it the ultimate slow burn.
🥩 Seduces With: Grilled meats, roasted lamb, cozy stews, and aged cheeses. Best enjoyed by candlelight or a roaring fire.
💕 Love may be fleeting, but a great glass of wine is forever.
Whether you’ve found the one (or just the one for tonight), may your glass always be full and your heart even fuller. Cheers to good wine, great company, and never settling for anything less than delicious!
Did you enjoy the tasting? Consider leaving a review about your experience. I would be most grateful!
Passport to The Vine: South Africa
JANUARY 8 & 15, 2025
Presented by Montana Rae, CMS Certified Sommelier & WSET III
South Africa boasts a rich winemaking tradition that dates back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers brought vines to the Cape of Good Hope. Today, the country is celebrated for its diverse wine regions, stunning landscapes, and innovative winemakers who craft high-quality wines that blend Old World elegance with New World boldness.
With a Mediterranean climate and varied terroirs, South Africa produces a wide range of wines, but it is particularly known for two iconic grapes: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc.
Graham Beck Brut Bubbly
A classic sparkling wine made in the traditional method. This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offers notes of green apple, citrus, and brioche, with a crisp and refreshing finish. Perfect for celebrations or as an aperitif.
Chenin Blanc: The Versatile White Wine
Chenin Blanc, known locally as Steen, is one of South Africa's most widely planted white grape varieties and a cornerstone of its wine industry.
Flavor Profile: Depending on the style, Chenin Blanc can range from dry and crisp with notes of green apple, pear, and citrus, to rich and luscious with honey, apricot, and tropical fruit flavors.
Winemaking Style: South African winemakers excel in producing a wide spectrum of Chenin Blanc, from zesty, unoaked wines to complex, oak-aged versions. It is also a key component in sparkling and sweet wines.
Key Regions: The Cape Winelands, including Paarl, Swartland, and Stellenbosch, are renowned for Chenin Blanc production.
Food Pairing: Its acidity and versatility make it an excellent match for seafood, creamy sauces, and spicy Asian cuisine.
‘Goats Do Roam’ White Blend
A playful white blend that combines tropical fruit aromas, citrus zest, and a touch of floral elegance. Light-bodied and versatile, it's great for casual sipping or pairing with seafood and salads.
MAN Chenin Blanc
This Chenin Blanc is bright and lively, showcasing flavors of ripe pear, apple, and hints of honey. Its crisp acidity and clean finish make it a fantastic everyday wine for any occasion.
Pinotage: South Africa’s Signature Grape
Pinotage is a uniquely South African grape variety created in 1925 as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (locally known as Hermitage, hence the name Pinotage).
Flavor Profile: Pinotage wines often showcase bold flavors of dark fruit like blackberry and plum, complemented by smoky, earthy, and chocolatey notes. Some also exhibit hints of banana and tropical fruits.
Winemaking Style: The versatility of Pinotage allows for various styles, from light and fruity to robust and full-bodied. It is also used in blends and unique Cape Red blends.
Key Regions: Stellenbosch and Swartland are prominent regions for Pinotage production.
Food Pairing: Its bold flavors pair well with grilled meats, spicy dishes, and South African braais (barbecues).
Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage
A youthful and approachable expression of Pinotage, with bold red fruit flavors like cherry and plum, balanced by soft tannins and a touch of smokiness. A great introduction to South Africa's signature grape.
Barista Pinotage
A modern take on Pinotage, highlighting aromas of coffee, chocolate, and ripe blackberries. Smooth and medium-bodied, it's a crowd-pleaser that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and hearty dishes.
South Africa’s focus on sustainability and innovation ensures its wine industry continues to thrive, with Pinotage and Chenin Blanc leading the charge in showcasing the country's unique winemaking identity.
Did you enjoy the tasting? Consider leaving a review about your experience. I would be most grateful!
Holiday Wine Experience
DECEMBER 3 & 10, 2024
Presented by Montana Rae, CMS Certified Sommelier & WSET III
Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Sorbara Vecchia
Modena, Italy | A sleigh ride of crushed raspberry, zesty tangerine, and ginger spice—all wrapped up with tangy acidity that jingles all the way.
Bonny Doon Vineyards Picpoul
Monterey, California | Fa-la-la-la-la, Picpoul-la-la! Whispers of white flowers and a cheeky hint of pineapple. It tiptoes in but makes a grand entrance on the palate. Bright, zesty, and a little umami (who’s you-mami? It’s Picpoul, of course!)
Calera Pinot Noir
Central Coast, California | The weather outside is frightful, but this Pinot is delightful! Juicy black raspberry, spice, and salty minerality sparkle like ornaments on your taste buds.
Finca Bacara ‘3015’ Monastrell
Jumilla, Spain | Silky smooth tannins and a mature elegance make it the perfect companion for decking the halls—or your dinner table. A yuletide treat.
Dow’s Porto Tawny
Villa Nova de Gaia, Portugal | Whether you’re roasting chestnuts or unwrapping presents, Tawny Port is Christmas in a glass. Aged to velvety perfection in small casks, it’s smooth, light, and endlessly festive.
Did you enjoy the tasting? Consider leaving a review about your experience. I would be most grateful!
Meet your Sommelier
Hi, I’m Montana Rae
I’m a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a recipient of the Level III Award in Wine from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. My appreciation for fine wine started over 15 years ago and continues today. Learn more.
I am at Shift Bannock and Shift Littleton each once per month to offer wine tastings. I hope you’ll join us!
Thanksgiving Wine Experience
NOVEMBER 13 & 20, 2024
Presented by Montana Rae, CMS Certified Sommelier & WSET III
Champagne Marc Hebrart Rosé Brut
Champagne, France | This pure, crystalline Rose positively sizzles with energy. Cranberry, white pepper, mint, crushed rocks, and chalk add to the wine's brilliant feel. Gorgeous!
Premier Cru | Méthode Champenoise | 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
La Caña Albariño
Rias Baixas, Spain | Albariño sourced from old vineyards and using serious winemaking practices. Traditional dry-farmed viticulture. Practicing organic, pergola-trained vines.
Hand-Harvested | Old Vines | 100% Albariño
Federspiel Terrassen Gruner Veltliner
Wachau, Austria | Yellow-green color with distinctive aromas of green apple, white pepper, and hints of mango, balanced with delicate herbal notes. A classic Grüner Veltliner with medium body, crisp acidity, juicy fruits, and white spice on the finish
Hand-Harvested | Steep, terraced vineyards | 100% Gruner Veltliner
Terres Dorées L’Ancien Beaujolais Vielles Vignes
Beaujolais, France | Harvested late with a naturally high sugar level. The wine is vinified using traditional Burgundy techniques. Deeply colored with rich red-fruit aroma and flavor and soft tannins.
Practicing Organic | Estate Vineyards | 100% Gamay
Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Sercial ‘Charleston’
Madeira, Portugal | Like salted caramel without the sugar.
Practicing Organic | 300 years of history | 100% Sercial
Did you enjoy the tasting? Consider leaving a review about your experience. I would be most grateful!
October 2024 | Premium Saké
September 2024 | Old World vs New World
Chardonnay - OW: Louis Latour Grand Ardeche
Chardonnay - NW: Martin Ray Sonoma Coast
Pinot Noir - OW: Vignerons des Monts de Bourgogne Rouge
Pinot Noir - NW: Angeline Reserve
BDX Blend - OW: Chateau Potensac Medoc
BDX Blend - NW: Decoy Red