Bacchus Uncorked: Making Wine in Ancient Rome, from Spectacle to Reality
GETTY VILLA
The Getty Villa
This is a past event
Wine was everywhere in Roman antiquity and its enjoyment transcended social status. In this lecture and tasting, archaeologist Emlyn Dodd introduces the scope of Roman winemaking, from the humble urban vineyards and production facilities of Pompeii to a recently discovered luxury winery in Rome owned by the emperor himself. Wielding artistic and historical evidence, Dodd shares the latest discoveries from the second century Villa of the Quintilii (shown below), where the elite reclined in marble-clad rooms amid flowing fountains of wine and observed the spectacle of wine production.
Following the presentation, head outdoors to the Villa’s gardens and celebrate Rome's viniculture legacy. Enjoy a selection of modern Italian wines from Lazio – a region with a long history of winemaking – curated by wine educator Diego Meraviglia.
Tickets $90.
Includes hearty appetizers, beautiful surroundings, and friendly conversation.
Limited capacity. Guests must be 21+
Parking: $20; $15 after 3:00 p.m.
Museum galleries are open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Lecture and wine presentation takes place in the auditorium starting at 5:15 p.m. followed by wine enjoyment in the Outer Peristyle garden from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Generously supported by the Getty Villa Council.
Dr. Emlyn Dodd is lecturer (assistant professor) in Classical Studies at the Institute of Classical Studies, University of London, and was assistant director at the British School at Rome from 2021–23. He has published extensively on ancient wine and olive oil production in Greek and Roman antiquity, including the book Roman and Late Antique Wine Production in the Eastern Mediterranean, and recent articles on the topic in the American Journal of Archaeology and the journal Antiquity. He features regularly in public media with articles in The Guardian and The Conversation, has spoken on national radio, and filmed with National Geographic at Pompeii.
Diego Meraviglia is president and director of education for the North American Sommelier Association. In 2008, Meraviglia obtained the Gold-Pin certification with the Italian Sommelier Association and the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA). He is a certified Master Taster and a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) with the Society of Wine Educators in the United States. A native Italian, Meraviglia is passionate about archeology and ancient European history, with a focus on his native land's Celtic (Gaulish) heritage. He cooperates with various wineries as a consultant and is a regular public speaker and panelist at key wine industry summits. Based in Los Angeles, he can be seen regularly around the US and Canada as a freelance consultant, speaker, and avid educator.
Bacchus Uncorked is a program series that explores art, wine, and culture in the ancient world. Hear experts give insightful talks about wine cultivation and drinking practices, then sip on a selection of wine specially curated for the program while enjoying the picturesque outdoor setting of the Getty Villa.