Come Over October – Entertaining Ideas for Connecting People with Wine
What is this Annual October Celebration? Entertaining Tips, Events, Wines
Introducing Come Over October
“Come Over October” is a national campaign encouraging people to invite family and friends, to come together in the month of October to share wine and friendship….an essential part of human happiness. Share some wine at home, in a restaurant, at an outdoor event, or wherever friends and family gather. Since 6000 BC in Eastern Europe wine has been part of our “feast” traditions for 8000 years. Socrates declared that “wine moistens the soul.”
Here at Wine Wanderings, we are fully embracing the Come Over October campaign with tips on holding at-home gatherings, suggesting events around world where you can join others in celebration, and offering some wine recommendations for October.
“Come Over October Campaign Hopes to Change the Narrative on Wine and Alcohol”
July , 2024, Wine Business
“Come Over October” has already garnered support from industry partners in the form of friends (supporters) and key patrons, those who have donated to the cause. Patrons include Benchmark Wine Group, Jackson Family Wines, Visit Napa Valley, Dragonette, Napa Valley Vintners, Ridge Vineyards, The Tasting Panel magazine, Silicon Valley Bank-a Division of First Citizens Bank, The Somm Journal, Wine Enthusiast, and Vinepair.” – Wine Business, July 2024
Who Are the Creators of Come Over October?
Created by wine journalist, author of The Wine Bible, Karen MacNeil and public relations and communications veterans, Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET. This trio’s mission-driven company – Come Over October – encourages friends, family, and colleagues to Come Over and share wine celebrating friendship and in-person connection. Karen MacNeil’s video on Instagram and LinkedIn, “Why I hate Dry January,” received 17,000 responses and hundreds of comments. Though she understands why everyone should do whatever they feel is right for their body, she feels that wine is the beverage of friendship that brings people together.
"The response has been phenomenal, well beyond anything we imagined," says MacNeil. "We have councils in Champagne, Australia, Chile, Texas and South Africa calling us to get involved, and they've created activations.” Karen MacNeil, Sept. 23, 2024, Wine-Searcher
Join the Virtual Event
Women for WineSense, “Come Over October” Virtual Event with Karen MacNeil, October 15, noon Central
Easy Themes for a Perfect Fall Gathering: Come Over October
*Italian Wine Tasting- Guess Which Wine?
I love this theme and have had several parties where we compete to decide the correct bottle. Serve pizza, flatbreads, and a charcuterie board. Have everyone bring their favorite Italian wine. Use bags to hide the labels. A prize for the most correct. You can read more about this theme in Wine Wanderings: “Hosting a Blind Wine Tasting in Your Home – Italian Style”, March 2023.
*Go With the Flow
Wines made from volcanic soil have a distinctive character. Try a wine from the slopes of Sicily’s Mt Etna or from the cliffside of Santorini perfectly paired with a smoky dish like a mesquite-broiled chicken or smoked salmon. (Santo Santorini Assyrtiko)
*What’s the Score?
Big Name athletes have made wines you might want to try. Pair them with your favorite sliders, wings and nachos. Try Drew Bledsoe’s Doubleback Wines, Danica Patrick’s Danica Rosé, Mario Andretti’s Andretti Winery, or Greg Norman Estates.
*Offbeat Harvest Moon Party
Fall’s earthy warming foods are a great match for red wine. Try one from a new region like Texas, Michigan, Croatia, or Patagonia matched with a beef brisket, charcuterie board, and sweet potato fries. Try: Bending Branch Tannat or Pedernales Cellars Reserve Tempranillo. See recommendations below.
*Bubbles or Bordeaux and Burgers
Bright bubbly wines or a rich, red Bordeaux pair so well with so many foods including burgers with creamy brie or blue cheese. Try a sparkling from an interesting place like Tasmania (Jansz Sparkling Rosé), Veneto, Italy, Alsace or Bordeaux, France (Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere.)
If you decide you’d rather go out and visit a winery or venue to celebrate “Come Over October,” then here are some special events of leading sponsors. Whether you celebrate with friends at home or out for the day, enjoy the camaraderie a great glass of wine adds to your friendships.
At Bending Branch Winery, Comfort, Texas. Jennifer Cernosek, GM and Tricia Conover, Editor, Wine Wanderings. Brian Hatfield, Videographer
Where to Find “Come Over October” Events
*Pedernales Cellars, Stonewall Texas: - Come Over October Live Music Series, Sat. Oct. 5, 1-5 PM
Come over October: Come over for Texas Wine Month Pizza Pairing Luncheon, Saturday, October 26, 12:30-2 PM. For Tickets. Sponsored by Bending Branch Winery and La Calabria Pizzeria, Comfort, Texas.
*Ridge Vineyards: Monte Bello, Cupertino, CA and Lytton Springs, Healdsburg, CA - Tasting Events
*Sokol Blosser : Buy two bottles, Get a Third Half Off, with flat rate shipping, Willamette, Valley, OR
*Come Over October Events in Napa, CA - various
*October is Virginia Wine Month- Various Events
*Fox Run Vineyards Food and Wine Experience, October 4, 11, 18, Seneca Lake, NY
*Willamette Valley, Oregon Come Over October Events, Oct 5-27 - Includes events at Domaine Drouhin, ROCO Winery, Hunt & Gather, Fairsing Vineyard, and Bryn Mawr Vineyards, Gather & Game Night, Brooks Winery, Friday Oct. 18.
*Suisun Valley, CA “Come Over October Events”
*Texas Wine Growers Texas Tasting Event, -Come Over Y’all – October 6, 12-3 PM
Wine Recommendations
Jansz Sparkling Rosé, NV, Tasmania, Australia, $26
2023 Danica Rosé, Provence, France, $25
2020 Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Reserve, $50 -Double gold 2023 Lone Star International Wine Competition
2020 Bending Branch Estate Tannat, Lost Pirogue Vineyard, $65 -Gold Medal, 2023 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition
2022 Santo Santorini Assyrtiko, Santorini, Greece, $30
2021 Planeta Etna Rosso, Nerello Mascalese, Sicily, Italy, $38 - James Suckling, 93 points
2020 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, WA $160
2019 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Le Comte de Malartic, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France, $35 - Decanter Magazine, 92 Points
2021 Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove, Red Blend, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy, $70 - Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points
Greg Norman Estates, Russian River Chardonnay, Sonoma County, CA $20
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar 2024
Argentina: More Than Malbec
Live from the Biltmore and Asheville, North Carolina
Book Review and Interview: “Strong Water: On Food, Wine, and Restaurants,” by Tim Gaiser, MS
Return to Beringer, a Napa Valley Pioneer
Understanding Right Bank Bordeaux: Pomerol and St. Emilion
10 Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to Paris
Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere and DiamAndes: Best of Both Worlds
Touring Lisbon: History, Music, Wine, Cuisine
The Magic of Tuscany: Touring the Region
France/Argentina Connection
Texas Hill Country Winery Update, 2024
Book Review: Big Macs and Burgundy
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Cruise with Tricia Conover and Wine Wanderings: Cruise Travel Reminder: River Seine – Paris – Normandy – Giverny on AmaWaterways
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