
From a ramen class in Tokyo to uncovering design treasures in Mexico City, every CKcurated experience is fully custom — no group tours, no cookie-cutter stops.
We create private, highly personal journeys across 20 handpicked destinations — including Rome, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, Croatia, Taiwan, Great Britain, Pearl River Delta, and California Wine Country — with insider access and thoughtful, design-minded storytelling.
Design sourcing services are available upon request for select clients.
CKcurated transforms journeys and spaces into a reflection of your individuality.
We also design experiences for corporations — from immersive executive experiences to team-building wine stays and inclusive hospitality programs. Proudly gay-owned and LGBTBE®-certified, we welcome partnerships that value creativity, purpose, and cultural respect.
You know the difference between traveling somewhere and understanding it. Between tasting wine and knowing wine. Between seeing art and discovering the artist. So do we.
CKcurated weaves wine, food, and cultural immersion into quiet luxuries that delight the senses and support local communities.
Travel and taste as you actually live. We create private experiences for those who’ve outgrown tours and want what can’t be found on a list. (See why we don’t do group tours.)
Across California’s premier wine regions — Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Monterey — every journey is fully personalized to your palate, pace, and style with WSET-certified wine expertise guiding every selection. Choose from day trips, overnight stays, immersive 3-, 5-, or 7-day experiences designed around your preferences, never a fixed itinerary. We curate private access to top producers, hidden-gem wineries, and exclusive tastings that reflect your unique wine story.

From intimate cooking workshops to curated tastings with local chefs, CKcurated transforms every meal into an experience worth savoring. Explore flavors, traditions, and stories from destinations around the globe — designed for travelers who savor creativity, depth, and thoughtful gastronomy.
Looking to create a unique experience for your team or private group? Our wine country stays and culinary experiences can be tailored for small groups (8-12 guests) seeking meaningful connection, celebration, or team building — blending wine, food, culture, and community in an intimate setting.


CK brings WSET Level 3 wine expertise and 74 countries of cultural fluency to California wine country curation. Having earned Emeritus AIA status from The American Institute of Architects at age 56 — a designation typically reserved for architects retiring at 70 — he is the founder of CKcurated, a wine and travel design studio applying 30+ years of design thinking to bespoke wine experiences and global travel curation. He also volunteers as a chef-instructor with San Francisco nonprofit 18 Reasons.
At CKcurated, we craft wine, culinary, and travel experiences that reflect your passions and lifestyle — always personal, never packaged.
Proudly gay-owned and LGBTBE®-certified, we celebrate individuality, culture, and connection in everything we do.
From California wine country stays and hands-on culinary moments to discovering global destinations, our services support intentional, inspired living wherever life takes you.
Design sourcing and curation services are available upon request for select clients.




to create spaces and arrange fun experiences that reflect my style are truly unmatched. We traveled to Brazil and Argentina together. Our trip was unforgettable!”
Chris, architect, Seattle, Washington State

I want to try new foods, go off the beaten path, talk with locals and enjoy THEIR spaces… I needed a personal experience oriented travel planner…”
Stacy, business leader, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

unmatched professionalism and care. From start to finish, their attention to detail and knowledge of the city’s history and hidden gems made our stay unforgettable… CKcurated went above and beyond to make the experience truly special.”
Yamile, photographer, Sarasota, Florida
CKcurated is led by CK, who holds WSET Level 3 certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and specializes in California’s premier wine regions: Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Monterey. With sommelier-level knowledge, we curate exceptional wine experiences connecting you with top producers, hidden-gem wineries, and exclusive tastings. We’re never commission-driven, so every recommendation is based on quality and fit for your palate, not supplier incentives.
We create custom experiences rather than package tours. Every experience is unique.
Not in a formal sense. Most of our clients come through word of mouth and naturally share similar values: depth over density, conversations over checklists, substance over spectacle. We work best with people who aren’t drawn to what’s already in the marketplace, but can’t always articulate what they are seeking. That’s where we listen, interpret, and design something that feels unmistakably right for them. If you’re someone who prefers quiet luxury and genuine connections over hype, we’ll be a good match.
No. CKcurated is not a ticketing or entertainment concierge. We specialize in personalized travel, food, wine, and culinary experiences that go far beyond access to individual events.
Travel advisors typically book from supplier networks — hotels, tours, activities that pay commissions. We design experiences from relationships built over decades. The winemaker we introduce you to isn’t in a catalog. The artisan studio doesn’t have a booking system. This is access that comes from knowing people, not knowing platforms.
Anytime! CKcurated doesn’t run group tours on a fixed schedule. We create private, custom itineraries so you can explore Hong Kong at your own pace and connect with locals, food, and design.

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Dive deeper into CKcurated’s world through our blog, where you’ll find fun recipes, culinary tips, wine insights, and travel inspirations.
It has something for every traveler and enthusiast. Join us as we explore the world, one unique experience at a time.

Your next journey starts with CKcurated. Reach out, and our dedicated team will work with you to craft a personalized wine experience, culinary journey, or travel adventure reflecting your passions and values. Every detail is handled from the moment you connect with us so you can fully enjoy the experience ahead.
Let’s bring your vision to life — together!

“After 30 years as a corporate architect, I knew my next chapter needed to be intentionally anti-corporate: small by design, personal by choice, human at the center…”