WHO WE ARE
John Abigana
John is at his heart, an educator. He has had two major passions in his life beyond his family: music and wine.
In the music world:
John is a twice retired music educator, originally from the Central Valley of California, now living near his children and grandchildren in Massachusetts. John’s music ensembles have performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including performances in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall and the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.
John has received letters of commendation from the California Assembly, California Senate, US Senate and two Presidents: Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton. He remains very active in music as Principle Tubist for the Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra and offers advice to other music educators in both New England and California.
In the wine world:
At the beginning of his teaching career, John with his wife Carol, took many trips to Napa Valley as a novice; tasting wine, talking to winemakers and learning about their craft. Over the years, he has broadened his knowledge and developed his wine palate, taking classes in various wine subjects, including an in depth study of wine/food pairing at the Culinary Institute of America (California.) John was recently awarded the Level 2 Certificate with Merit through the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust and is currently in WSET Level 3 studies, which will grant him international recognition in wine education.
Carol Abigana
John is assisted in this endeavor by his partner in life, crime, and wine, Carol. Carol has decades of experience in education, event planning, wine drinking, cat herding, stenography, wine drinking, editing, general tomfoolery, and wine drinking.
She handles all communication, contracts, wine glass washing, and logistics for Experience Wine.
“Some of the best times of our lives have had wine at the center: the 1975 Georges celebrating my first retirement; the magnum with my family; sharing a bottle with friends; tasting with Carol, Robert, and Fran. Wine is a catalyst that brings my family and friends together to talk, commiserate, connect, teach, learn, and most of all - enjoy life.”
Experience Wine offers an array of tasting programs which can be customized to the specific client’s interests and experience - from the novice to the oenophile. The tasting experience can be in person in a venue of your choosing (within the New England area), or via online streaming. We are happy to work with organizations who would like to book a tasting as a fundraising opportunity.
More information and examples of themed tastings can be found here.