Tasters Guild International is a nationwide society of wine and food enthusiasts who share a common interest in a wide variety of educational and social activities. Our quest is to educate consumers and spread the word of responsible wine and food consumption - and to have fun doing it! 

Established in 1987, TASTERS GUILD consists of over 55 active chapters throughout the country that bring together consumers, wine, food and the wine and food service industries. The local chapters provide activity and ongoing wine and food events for their members and guests. In support of these local Chapters, there is an extensive network of retail wine and specialty food shops, superior restaurants, top-rated hotels, premium wineries, knowledgeable wholesalers and top international importers to provide easy access to quality wines and food often with special discounts for members. A detailed listing of all the retail/trade affiliates, and local guilds is distributed to the entire membership by way of the Guild's Network Directory.

TASTERS GUILD conducts an Annual International Wine Judging in the spring when hundreds of newly released wines are judged by panels of experts. Toward the end of summer we also coordinate our Annual Convention & Consumer Wine Judging for members. The results of both events are reported in the Guild's official publication, the TASTERS GUILD JOURNAL, as well as other national periodicals.

TASTERS GUILD sponsors yearly travel excursions for its members to all corners of the wine world. Trips include annual Food and Wine Cruises, exclusive tours to the finest wineries and food capitals of Europe, Australia and, of course, the United States. 

The best way to learn about wine and food is to experience it through responsible consumption, and the goal of TASTERS GUILD is to provide every possible opportunity to encounter the best in wine and culinary delights!

TASTERS GUILD is not just for the "connoisseur". It is intended to be a broad-based organization able to benefit all levels of consumers, from novice to professional, who have a genuine interest in learning more about the responsible use of wine and food.


In 1994, Gail and John Engstrom founded the Diablo Chapter to serve wine and food enthusiasts in Alameda, Contra Costa, and neighboring counties who are looking for a sociable way to appreciate wine and food pairings. On the average, The Diablo Chapter sponsors ten events each year.  Most of these events are "winemaker dinners" at local area restaurants. Typically, six to eight wines from one winery are matched with a four to five course meal, specially designed by the restaurant's chef to accentuate and complement each wine's every nuance.  Wine portions are controlled so as to maintain the friendly social atmosphere.  The winery's representative speaker at these dinners is usually the winemaker or winery owner.

Depending upon the venue, a Diablo Chapter dinner can accommodate 45 to 90 members and their guests. The Diablo Chapter is a not-for-profit organization and strives to keep the cost per person for an evening of wine and food to about $60 per person. The tremendous amount of cooperation between Tasters Guild International, restaurants and wineries allows Diablo Chapter members to enjoy outstanding value and to experience fine dining at its best.

The Diablo Chapter also generally sponsors a trip to a neighboring winemaking region each year.  These trips are educational and fun ways to learn more about the winemaking process and the unique characteristics of each appellation.

As an added bonus and incentive for membership participation, the Diablo Chapter offers "Diablo Points" (click on the link to learn how it works), which can add up for prizes!


Membership in Tasters Guild International and is included with membership in the Diablo Chapter. See the list of membership benefits, below.

Membership Benefits

  • Tours & Cruises 

    • Led by experts, each tour and cruise offers exciting adventure into the world of wine and food and is priced at a considerable advantage for members.
     
  • Tastings & Dinners

    • Members receive invitations to exclusive wine and food events, seminars, tastings led by experts in their field, and gourmet dinners illustrating the marriage of wines with food.
     
  • Discounts & Benefits

    • Exclusive member discounts on purchases and services throughout the national network of wine and specialty food stores, wineries, restaurants and hotels.
     
  • The Tasters Guild Journal

    • The official publication of TASTERS GUILD providing Guild news plus articles on wine, food, recipes, tasting notes, and travel. Membership also includes a FREE subscription to the national publication: WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE.
     
  • National Network Directory

    • Listing all affiliates nationwide plus special discounts offered only to members, the directory provides instant access to TASTERS GUILD benefits at home, while traveling or to 'dial-a-gift' to someone in another city.
     
  • Wine & Food

    • A handy pocket companion that helps you match food to wine at home or while dining out.
     
  • Guild Membership Card

    • Identifies you throughout our national network and with it you can obtain exclusive discounts, purchases and services.
Membership fees are per 'couple,' and entitle two people to come to any Diablo Chapter event at the membership rate:
 

One Year

 $45.
Two Years $85.