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Offering Wine Education, Customized Private Wine Tastings, Consulting, Wine Tours, and Adventures. We are proud to be an Approved Program Provider for WSET(Wine & Spirits Educational Trust) serving all of San Diego County.
Member of San Diego County Vintners Association
Al Fischer’s wine hobby took on a life of its own when he graduated with a Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine from SDSU and founded Freaky People Grape Adventures. Today he also holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, French Wine Scholar and is both a WSET Certified Educator(Wines) and WSET Approved Program Provider. When he’s not helping guests find something they love in the tasting room or the classroom, you'll find him exploring craft cocktails at the latest speakeasy and rocking out to 80s hair bands every chance he gets! Al currently sits on the San Diego County Vintners Association Executive Board as Vice President.
Julie Peggar has spent most of her career teaching college students and corporate service design workshops - and celebrating successful projects with good wine! After moving to San Diego’s wine country, she went back to school herself and earned the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits. Pouring at local wineries convinced her that guiding people through a wine journey was even more exciting than guiding them through fieldwork in Africa, and a new adventure with Freaky People Grapes was born!
Our WSET® courses provide a globally respected foundation in wine knowledge, covering grape varieties, regions, tasting technique, and food pairing. Whether you’re pursuing professional credentials or personal enrichment, these classes deliver clarity, confidence, and real-world understanding.
Join us for certification-backed wine classes, guided tastings, and immersive wine adventures. Whether you’re building foundational knowledge or deepening your expertise, our experiences are designed to be approachable, engaging, and memorable.
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All programs are grounded in globally recognized wine education standards, including WSET® curriculum.
Learn from experienced instructors who make complex topics clear, engaging, and accessible.
From guided tastings to vineyard adventures, we believe the best learning happens through experience.
Our classes and consulting services support individuals, hospitality teams, and private groups alike.
We offer certification-backed wine education and immersive experiences designed to build confidence, deepen understanding, and make wine approachable. Our programs balance structure with enjoyment—serving both enthusiasts and professionals.
Join us for an immersive, educator-led wine experience designed to deepen your understanding and enjoyment of wine. From guided tastings to private group sessions, each experience is thoughtful, engaging, and approachable.
"I highly recommend Freaky Grape People Adventures to anyone looking to start their wine education journey! I had such a great experience taking the WSET Level 1 class! Al was clear, engaging, and made the material easy to understand. The environment was fun and welcoming, which made learning even more enjoyable. By the end of the course, I felt confident and well-prepared for my test. I’m already signing up for the Level 2 course with them."
Sabrina Labrosse
WSET® Level 1 Student
"Al and Julie were amazing! The level 1 WSET class was a wonderful day from start to finish. I learned so much and had some incredible sensory experiences along the way. I can't wait to go back for level 2!"
Michelle Owens
WSET® Level 1 Student
"I've had the pleasure of taking Al's WSET level 1 as well as multiple wine region courses (2 Spanish, 1 Italian, and 1 French). Al makes topics clear and concise, fun, engaging, and interesting. Julie adds her knowledge regarding food and culture to each region class. I wouldn't recommend their classes enough!"
Andrea Bower
WSET® Level 1 Student
"I took the WSET 1 and 2. I really enjoyed the classes. We got to try so many different wines and It was very informative. I learned so much and highly recommend the classes. Al is a great instructor 👍"
Marla Martin
WSET® Level 1 & 2 Student
"I did my WSET1 course with Al and Julie and have been attending their Summer Series wine classes that have been fun and educational at the same time. I enjoy their teaching styles and look forward to taking WSET2 with them, along with the Spirits classes when that starts up!"
Paul Pacis
WSET® Level 1 Student
"I just completed the MSET Level 2 wine classes taught by Al and Julie from Freaky People Grape Adventures. I wanted to complement them both, the class was interesting, well organized, I learned a great about wines from all over the world, and most importantly, it was fun! Al is very knowledgeable on the spectrum of wine related topics we covered in the class, he was able to explain some of the less clear aspects of tasting wines, specifically describing the aromas and flavors, in a very understandable manner. Thanks to you both!"
John Sheridan
WSET® Level 2 Student
"I've taken the WSET level 1 with Al and Julie and they are the best! So knowledgeable and really want you to succeed. We've also joined for their monthly regional wine classes (Spain, Italy and Southern France... Loire Valley up next!) and they are so fun. They bring the best of wine knowledge for the region, unique tastings, and tie it with food and culture. Planning on taking the WSET level 2 with them next!"
Danee Ta
WSET® Level 1 Student
"I received my WSET 2 certification through Freaky People Grape Adventures and cannot recommend them enough. Al truly focused us on the material that we would be tested on and helped to break down some of the barriers that can sometimes intimidate people starting out in their wine education journey. Classes were fun and very interactive. I learned a ton and definitely felt ready on test day. Al is a fantastic resource and will ensure that you have the support you need."
Yesse Grossman
WSET® Level 2 Student
"Al and Julie are great! Not only are they both very knowledgeable, we have a great time at their events and classes! 10/10 would recommend if you’re looking to expand your wine knowledge or just have a good time drinking wine with great people in your community."
Cara Sun
WSET® Level 1 Student
"100% recommended! Al is a great teacher, patient, easy to talk too and well prepared. Learned a lot during the course WSET2 which I just finished and passed. Would definitely done WSET3 too at Freaky People Grape Adventures if they would have offered it. But I will be back for other fun learning experiences for sure!"
Kim Wilbers
WSET® Level 2 Student
"Al stays on topic and helps you focus on what you need to know for the WSET exams. Expand your wine knowledge and systematic approach to tasting. I’m thankful for freaky people grape adventures for helping me successfully pass my WSET 2 exam with distinction. Looking forward to other classes offered in the future."
Ninon M.
WSET® Level 2 Student
"Freaky Grapes in-person class was engaging as well as informative. Teacher Al clearly communicates course information and expectations of students. We had multiple opportunities to get help with any questions we had prior to testing. So glad to have passed my test and have the certification for my career in hospitality. Thanks Freaky Grapes!"
Monique Johnston
WSET® Level 1 Student
"Took L1 WSET With Al and Julie today. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and so helpful. They made the day so fun and I learned so much!"
Maria DeVore
WSET® Level 1 Student
"Al and Julie were great instructors. It’s clear they have an abundance of knowledge about wine and are passionate about it. The class was fun and interactive. I’d highly recommend them!"
Libby Bergmann
WSET® Level 1 Student
"I took the WSET Level 2 course with Freaky People Grape Adventures. Learned all I needed to know to successfully complete the exam and had fun doing it! Highly recommend this course."
Beth Westerlund
WSET® Level 2 Student
"Really enjoyed the WSET wine education they provided. If you want to learn a lot about wine, and have fun during the process, I highly recommend Freaky People Grape Adventures."
David Westerlund
WSET® Level 1 Student
"Best private wine tasting ever!"
Michelle Arandjelovic
WSET® Level 1 Student
