For logistical reasons, the event has been postponed. We apologise for any inconvenience and will announce the new date as soon as possible. If you provide us your contact information here, we wil send you email notification when the new date is announced.
ELSA Spa Apartments Tux | Tyrol, Austria
Ski – Spa – Relax – Dine – Wine – all in one weekend
A unique wine masterclass will shine a spotlight on the wines and stories of LGBTQ+ wineries and winemakers from selected European countries, especially Austria, Germany and Italy.
Conducted by internationally renowned wine writer, judge and lecturer, Darrel Joseph, this is his second masterclass at ELSA Spa Apartments Tux—and the first time he has curated a tasting devoted solely to Europe’s vibrant LGBTQ+ wine community. It is among the first professional-level events of its kind in Europe, offering a true celebration of diversity in winemaking.
This groundbreaking purpose-led evening in Tux will be held in partnership with Haus Europa, the local non-profit association dedicated to advancing inclusion and diversity in innovation and leadership, and under the patronage of European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce (EGLCC), the European advocacy group for LGBTIQ-owned businesses championing inclusive supply chains and equality across Europe.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Wineries
This isn’t just another tasting – it’s a celebration of diversity, identity and terroir:
- Guided tasting of exclusively selected wines from LGBTQ+ winemakers and LGBTQ+ owned wineries.
- A full spectrum of styles – from white to rosé, and red to dessert – even natural ‘orange’. Indigenous as well as signature European grape varieties will be featured.
- Live Q&A with Darrel Joseph.
- Exclusive opportunity to purchase featured wines at special prices.
Special ELSA Guest Package
The masterclass on Saturday, November 8, is available exclusively to guests of ELSA Spa Apartments Tux. To attend, a minimum two-night stay (November 7-9) is required.
ELSA is the new family-owned, LGBTQ+friendly apartment house in Austria’s Tux Valley, and is Travel Proud certified. Our fully equipped modern apartments include spacious terraces and stunning mountain views. With our own underground parking garage, convenience is added to the adventure and comfort that awaits you.
We’re also ideally located just 300 meters from the nearest gondola to Eggalm and the bus stop to the Hintertux Glacier – one of only a few places in Europe where guests can already enjoy skiing in early November.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to ELSA’s spa zone, which includes the relaxation pool and sauna. There are massage treatments available à la carte.
Whether a soothing spa day or an alpine glacier adventure, you can unwind and recharge exactly how you like.
Pride in Every Pour add-on package:
€250 per person (in addition to accommodation), includes:
- Welcome drink gathering with Darrel Joseph on Friday evening
- Dinner buffet Friday and Saturday (drinks available for purchase at ELSA’s bar)
- Breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday mornings
- Late check-out until 12:00 on Sunday
This is a purpose-led initiative – all net proceeds will benefit Haus Europa’s work fostering diverse, inclusive innovation and leadership.
The masterclass will be conducted in English.
Space is extremely limited—only 24 seats are available—and this unique celebration of LGBTQ+ winemaking heritage won’t be repeated soon. Early reservations are strongly recommended.
Accommodation prices for this event at the ski season start at €100 per person per night.
The final price depends on your group size and the apartment you choose. Let us know how many people are coming and we’ll prepare a tailored offer for your group.
ELSA apartments work best for groups of three or four — perfect for bringing friends, family, or colleagues to share the experience. Mountains, skiing, spa, and wine – all before the hectic Advent season begins.
Contact us at info@elsa.tirol or +43 676 3836 888.
We can’t wait to raise a glass with you – join us for an evening where every sip tells a story of pride, passion and authenticity.
Read about Darrel Joseph’s first masterclass at ELSA Spa Apartments Tux here.
Explore photo gallery of ELSA Spa Apartments Tux here.
Questions? Contact us at info@elsa.tirol or +43 676 3836 888.
About Darrel Joseph
Darrel Joseph is an international wine writer, competition judge, presenter and lecturer based in Vienna, Austria, with a focus on the wines and wine regions of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus countries.
His written work has appeared in numerous prestigious wine publications, including Decanter and Decanter.com in the United Kingdom, Meininger’s Wine Business International in Germany and the US-focused online platform wine-searcher.com. He has also contributed to the Wine Spectator in the United States and Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book in the UK.
Darrel has contributed his discerning tasting skills to numerous renowned international wine competitions: this includes 16 years for the Decanter World Wine Awards in London – for which he also served as Joint-Regional Chair for Central & Eastern Europe in 2022. Other key international wine competitions include Mundus Vini and the Berlin Wine Trophy in Germany, Vinistra and the Kvarner International Wine Trophy in Croatia, the Asia Wine Trophy in South Korea, the AWC in Austria and numerous others in Georgia, Sweden, Albania, Switzerland, Russia, China, France, Italy, Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria.
Furthermore, he conducts engaging wine tastings, masterclasses and presentations for wine clubs, wine schools, businesses, and private clients across Europe. His numerous masterclasses have been held from London to Stockholm, Budapest to Zagreb, Copenhagen to Vienna, Moscow to Yerevan, and Bucharest to Berat.
Beyond his writing, judging and teaching, Darrel provides valuable support to wineries and wine organizations through international communication activities. This includes translating PR and website texts from German to English and crafting native English content. With a professional voice-over career spanning more than three decades, Darrel lends his distinctive voice to narrate films, documentaries, corporate identity videos, and advertisements. Notably, his narration talents have been featured in films about wineries and wine regions. Darrel is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers in the United Kingdom. He also holds the title of Vranec Ambassador, showcasing his expertise and enthusiasm for the Vranec/Vranac grape variety. Additionally, he is a member of the Confrérie de Tokaj in Hungary.
