Terms & Conditions
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Welcome to The Wineologist (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using our website (the “Site”), services, or purchasing any offerings from The Wineologist, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before using our Site or services.
1. General Information
The Wineologist (“we,” “our,” “us”) operates as a wine education and consulting business offering guided educational wine tastings, classes, educational programs, and consulting services. The term “you” refers to the user or viewer of our Site.
Use of this Site is subject to the following terms, which may be updated at any time without notice.
2. Eligibility
You must be 21 years of age or older to participate in or register for any wine-related events, tastings, class, or services offered through The Wineologist. By registering for or attending an event, you confirm that you meet this requirement. The Wineologist reserves the right to request proof of age and deny participation if necessary.
3. Services
All services, class offerings, and pricing are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service or event at any time.
Some services may require advance registration or payment. Your reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received and you receive written confirmation.
We reserve the right to modify, postpone, or cancel any class or event due to unforeseen circumstances, including low enrollment, instructor illness, or venue unavailability.
3A. Wine and Food Use
All services provided by The Wineologist are educational in nature. Wine and food are not sold as part of our services.
When applicable, wine and food may be provided by the client, a third party venue, or purchased on the client’s behalf for guided educational tasting purposes. Any wine or food purchased on a client’s behalf is billed as a reimbursable expense based on client-approved selections and is itemized separately from instructional fees. No markup is applied to reimbursable wine or food costs.
4. Payment and Refunds
All payments are due at the time of booking unless otherwise stated.
Cancellations made:
-
7 or more days before the event:
You may cancel for a full refund or 100% credit toward a future class or event. -
3–6 days before the event:
Eligible for a 50% credit toward a future event of your choice. -
Within 48 hours of the event or no-show:
Non-refundable. No refunds or credits will be issued.
Private events and consulting services may have customized payment or cancellation terms stated in your agreement. Late arrivals or no-shows are not eligible for refunds or credits.
5. Travel Fees
For off-site services outside the Raleigh–Durham-Chapel Hill area, additional travel fees may apply. These will be disclosed prior to booking and included in your invoice.
6. Disclaimer
The Wineologist provides information, classes, and materials for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing provided constitutes legal, financial, or medical advice. Participants are responsible for their own decisions, consumption, and safety. The Wineologist makes no guarantee of learning outcomes, certifications, or professional advancement unless explicitly stated.
7. Health & Allergy Disclaimer
Wine tastings and educational experiences may involve exposure to potential allergens, including sulfites, gluten, or other ingredients used in food pairings. It is the participant’s responsibility to inform The Wineologist of any allergies or sensitivities prior to participation. The Wineologist is not responsible for adverse reactions or health-related issues arising from participation.
8. Waiver of Liability
By attending any class, tasting, or event, you acknowledge that participation involves risks, including but not limited to alcohol consumption and travel to and from the venue. You voluntarily assume all risks and agree to release and hold harmless The Wineologist, its owner, instructors, contractors, and partner venues from any claims, damages, or liabilities resulting from participation.
9. Responsible Enjoyment
Guests are encouraged to consume responsibly. If you plan to consume alcohol during a class or event, please arrange for safe transportation. The Wineologist reserves the right to discontinue participation for any individual who appears intoxicated or behaves inappropriately.
10. Photography and Media Consent
Photos and videos may be taken during events, classes, tastings, or consultations for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to education, documentation, marketing, promotional materials, social media, website content, and future programming. These images or recordings may be used across digital and print platforms to reflect the nature of our experiences and offerings.
Participation in an event or service constitutes consent to be photographed or recorded, unless otherwise communicated in writing prior to the event.
11. Force Majeure
The Wineologist is not liable for delays, cancellations, or non-performance caused by events beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of nature, illness, transportation issues, venue closures, or government restrictions. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or issue a credit for a future event.
12. Intellectual Property
All content on this Site—including text, logos, graphics, images, videos, class materials, and designs—is the property of The Wineologist and protected under copyright and trademark laws.
You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any materials without written permission.
13. Limitation of Liability
Wine tasting involves the consumption of alcohol. By participating in any event, tasting, service, or class, you acknowledge and assume all risks and responsibility associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages and related activities. You agree to release and hold harmless The Wineologist, its owner, contractors, and partner venues from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities that may arise from your participation, including but not limited to personal injury, loss or property damage.
Please taste responsibly and arrange for safe transportation.
14. Third-Party Venues, Services and Links
Some events take place at third-party venues (e.g., wineries, restaurants, or bottle shops). The Wineologist is not responsible for venue policies, conditions, facilities, conduct, or operations of third-party venues or their staff. Any concerns or claims related to the venue should be directed to that venue’s management. Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their content or practices.
15. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Wineologist, its owner, affiliates, and contractors from any and all claims, damages, expenses, or liabilities (including attorney’s fees) arising from your use of this Site, participation in events, or violation of these Terms.
16. Privacy
Your personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using our Site or booking services, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described therein.
17. Accessibility
The Wineologist is committed to providing accessible experiences both online and in person. Please review our Accessibility Statement for more information or contact us if you require accommodations.
18. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Wake County, North Carolina.
19. Educational Use Statement
Wine used during classes, tastings, and events is provided solely for guided educational tasting purposes and is not sold.
20. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms or any of our policies, please contact us at:
The Wineologist
📧 info@thewineologist.com
📍 Raleigh, North Carolina