Diego Meraviglia is a sommelier savant.

He is wine director for Trattoria Neapolis, vice president of the North American Sommelier Association, a certified 4th Level Sommelier (AIS), Certified Sommelier-Court of Master Sommeliers, Certified Specialist of Wine-Society of Wine Educators, Certified Veuve Cliquot Specialist, and earned an enology and viticulture diploma from Silvarte (Italy). He teaches sommelier level wine classes, helps organize major L.A. wine related events and co-translated the book “Food & Wine” used worldwide by the Italian Sommelier Association, and most recently, placed fifth in the world at the World Wide Sommelier competition.

To celebrate Merviglia’s remarkable performance at the competition, Trattoria Neapolis has created a six-part wine tasting series so customers can directly experience the genius of Meraviglia as a wine professional and educator.

Dates and focus of tastings are as follows:

1. Tuesday, October 29th 6:30pm PIEMONTE: Land of Barolo and More

2. Tuesday, December 10th 6:30pm TUSCANY: From Brunello to Chianti

3. Tuesday, January 21st 6:30pm SICILY: The Mediterranean Gem

4. Tuesday, March 4th 6:30pm UMBRIA: The New Tuscany

5. Tuesday, April 15th 6:30pm CAMPANIA: Land of Volcanoes

6. Tuesday, May 27th 6:30pm PUGLIA: The Wine Cellar of Europe

Each event, or class, will last between one and one and a half hours, and will have a tasting of five wines from the region of focus. Small bites from the kitchen will accompany each dish, while Meraviglia will discuss the region’s history, geography, and other factors that affect the wine, the grapes, and the flavor.

Cost of admission for each class is $45 per person, plus tax and 18% gratuity. You can purchase any number of classes, though if you purchase the whole series, you will get all six classes for the price of five.

No refunds are given once tickets are purchased. However, if you are unable to attend a class, you can transfer to a future class so long as you give Trattoria Neapolis three days notice and there is space available in the class to which you’d like to transfer.

Seats are limited for each class, so be sure to purchase early lest you lose a seat. To purchase, simply call the restaurant at (626) 792-3000, or ask your /host/server.

Trattoria Neapolis Italian Restaurant & Bar is located at 336 South Lake Avenue. Visit http://www.trattorianeapolis.com to find out more about the restaurant and its future events.