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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you’re curious about our California wine excursions, bespoke travel planning, culinary experiences, or wine experiences for small corporate groups (8-12 people), this FAQ offers clarity on how we work. Based in San Francisco, CKcurated crafts highly personal experiences across California and around the world. Here are some of the things you need to know before we start your journey.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS OFTEN ASK

ABOUT OUR WINE & TRAVEL SERVICES

We don’t run group tours — not for wine, not for travel. Instead, CKcurated designs private wine experiences tailored to your interests and style. Led by a WSET Level 3 certified wine educator, we create exclusive tastings with small producers, behind-the-scenes vineyard access, and curated excursions across California’s diverse AVAs — always designed for you. Check out our Wine Excursions in California.

Absolutely. Wine is one of the experiences we curate, alongside culinary adventures, design-focused sourcing journeys, and lifestyle trips across the U.S. and abroad. Just like our wine excursions, we never put a group of strangers together — each experience strengthens bonds between families, friends, and work teams. Learn about all of our services.

Yes! We design immersive culinary journeys, from private chef workshops to farm-to-table tastings. Tailored for leisure, family gatherings, or corporate events. Discover our culinary offerings.

Absolutely. We curate sourcing trips and interior design experiences, for existing clients or by referral, that uncover rare, artisan-crafted finds, reflecting your personal style and lifestyle goals. Check out our Design Discovery services.

Yes. We extend our California wine excursions to small corporate groups (8-12 people), creating wine-first experiences that combine authentic wine discovery with team connection. Every journey centers on WSET-certified wine education — private winery access, curated tastings, and culinary pairings — with optional workspace coordination available for executive offsites or team celebrations. Read about our Wine Experiences for Corporate Groups.

CKcurated is headquartered in California, serving the Bay Area, wine country, and destinations worldwide. We curate experiences across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond — wherever you’re dreaming of going. Explore our 20 Featured Destinations.

HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT

Most agencies sell pre-packaged trips, often commission-driven. CKcurated is fee-based and independent: we advocate for you, not suppliers. Every journey — from wineries to artisan makers — reflects your taste, lifestyle, and priorities.

No. CKcurated is not a ticketing service or entertainment concierge. Our work goes beyond access to individual events — we focus on comprehensive lifestyle experiences that weave together food, wine, travel, and design. Think private wine excursions in California, culinary adventures across Portugal and Spain, or sourcing artisan-crafted pieces abroad to bring a sense of place back home.

Anytime! Unlike typical group-tour operators, CKcurated doesn’t run trips on a fixed schedule. This means you won’t be confined to a vehicle with strangers or limited to meals with fellow travelers instead of locals. Whenever you’re ready to visit Japan, we’ll create a bespoke, private itinerary tailored to your interests and pace. Read our blog on why CKcurated doesn’t do group tours.

CKcurated’s founder volunteers as a chef-instructor with 18 Reasons, a respected San Francisco nonprofit. This hands-on experience with diverse communities, different cuisines, and food education keeps our approach fresh, authentic, and truly personalized for every client. Read more about CK’s volunteering on Our Blog.

WHO WE WORK WITH

No. Being gay-owned and LGBTBE®-certified means we design with intention around inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and creating spaces where everyone feels genuinely welcome. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, you’ll experience that thoughtfulness in every detail and can fully be your authentic selves.

Every experience is customized to accommodate dietary, mobility, and cultural needs. CKcurated is committed to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive journeys for all, including LGBTQ+ travelers and allies.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Fee-based, not commission-driven. Transparency and client-first approach in every engagement. See Our Services page for a detailed FAQ on pricing, minimums, and our bespoke proposal process.

After your initial inquiry, we’ll schedule a consultation to understand your goals. From there, we’ll develop a personalized proposal and guide you through our collaborative planning process — making sure every detail reflects your vision.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? PLEASE REACH OUT!