8 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS beaches overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A rotating roster of worldclass musicians adds another cultural dimension to the journey. “You’ll de nitely discover an artist you’ve never heard before—and you’ll de nitely become a fan,” Abair said. Guests will also be introduced to new cuisine and luxury accommodations, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants and staying in ve-star resorts. “We do everything at a very high level,” she added. Each Wine and Jazz Adventure is “very thoughtfully curated and also includes exceptional private wine tastings, incredible meals, concerts and private performances, guided excursions and unique experiences throughout the region we’re visiting,” she said. “We take care of everything,” she said. “Once you arrive, you can simply relax and enjoy—food, wine, lodging, transportation … and joy.” It’s a level of detail that requires months of preparation—and it shows. e Adventures o en sell out well in advance. Upcoming trips to Sonoma, California, and Portugal in 2026, and Spain in 2027 are already full. However, fans still have a chance to ring in the new year at Abair’s Wine and Jazz New Year’s Eve celebration at the waterfront Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego. ough larger scale than the Wine and Jazz Adventures, the event, scheduled for Dec. 28-31, 2026, maintains the same upscale spirit and a festive sense of occasion. For more information on Mindi Abair’s Wine and Jazz Adventures, visit https://wineandjazz.com/adventures. Intimate escapes: how smooth jazz artists are redefining the fan experience I’ve noticed a shift in smooth jazz entertainment lately: one that trades massive crowds for meaningful connection. Increasingly, artists are stepping o the traditional festival circuit to host smaller, highly curated experiences that integrate concerts, vacations and personal retreats. Few embody this trend more seamlessly than Mindi Abair. Alongside her husband, wine expert Eric Guerra, the Grammy-nominated saxophonist has created a global series of boutique getaways known as Wine and Jazz Adventures—luxury, music and wine-in uenced excursions for her fans. “Our adventures are intentionally small and intimate,” Abair said. “We host 40 guests per week, which allows us to spend time with everyone, make real bonds and create a true shared experience.” e couple said the locations are important, too. ey choose places that inspire them personally. “We always try to create our own perfect vacation,” she said. “ ey’re always regions with incredible wine, amazing food, beautiful surroundings and a strong cultural identity. We also look for destinations where we can create experiences that people wouldn’t normally have access to on their own. at allows us to curate something super special that is a true one-of-a-kind, lifetime experience.” e settings are extraordinary. Daily concerts unfold in unforgettable spaces: ancient castles, limestone mines with 200-foot ceilings, or Mindi Abair and her husband, Eric Guerra, on a Wine and Jazz Adventure continued on page 10
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