Uncork the Fun!

Join us for the Atlanta Food & Wine Month official kick-off party on April 2nd! Today is the last day to save $5 on your ticket purchase. Visit www.grapecrush.eventbrite.com and use discount code GrapeGirls.

Terracotta Armies & Table 1280

A Weekend to Wine

The weather in Atlanta was great this weekend!

Mid 60's, sunny skies, light breezes - you know, all the reasons why so many transplants (like me) from the North and Midwest choose to call Hotlanta home. Although I worked most of the weekend (we're in our busy Spring charity and fashion event season for Atlanta Party Starters and gearing up for Grape Crush Productions Atlanta Food & Wine Month kick-off party and April event series), I did find a little time to wine-down.



On Sunday, my husband (not pictured:) and I finally attended The First Emperor, China's Terracotta Army, at the High Museum of Art. The exhibit came to Atlanta in Nov. '08 and we have been dying to see it before it leaves on April 19th. Well, it was definitely worth the wait and I'm SO glad we took a break from our busy schedules to attend!

Considered the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, the exhibit explores one of the greatest archaelogical discoveries of the 20th century: China's terracotta army. Showcasing over 100 works from the ongoing excavation, this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition includes the largest number of complete terracotta figures ever to travel to the U.S. Click here to learn more.



After viewing the exhibit, we strolled over to Table 1280 before heading home to prepare for the hectic work week. Located at 1280 Peachtree St. (hence the name), Table 1280 Restaurant & Tapas Lounge is the perfect place to wine either before or after visiting the High, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 14th Street Playhouse, or the Alliance Theatre. Order from a variety of small plates and great wine list for a quick bite in the lounge, or stay for an American-brasserie inspired meal in the restaurant.

So, what did you do over this great "weekend to wine"? Leave a comment and let us know. Be sure to take our wine-polls (top right)!

Great Patio Wines

Great Patio Wines

Vote for your favorite!

Spring has sprung and local restaurants and bars across the U.S. will soon be packing in the locals for the long awaited patio-season! 'Tis also the time of year to invite a few friends over and make use of your own backyard deck.

Great patio wines should be affordable and can be enjoyed without food. So, what's the go-to wine for grape lovers when having a little laid-back fun in the sun?

Vote for your favorite today (top right), check back often to view the responses!

You're Invited: A Sip Around the World!

UNCORK THE FUN!


You're invited to take a "Sip Around the World" on April 2, 2009

(Atlanta launch party, other cities coming soon)

***Early Bird ticket sale ends on Monday***

Join the Grape Girls as we swirl, sip and savor at the official kick-off to Atlanta Food & Wine Month - the event series that brings everyone from foodies to fashionistas out to celebrate the "art" of food and wine.

Guests will walk the purple carpet and enjoy a complimentary wine tasting, along with a few surprises, at Grape Crush Productions highly anticipated launch party!


*Sip fine wines from around the globe
*Enjoy artisan cheese and eclectic appetizers
*Mix and mingle with local Atlanta's movers and shakers
*Live jazz music featuring Dennis Springer
*Enter-to-win fabulous door prizes including tickets to see 42nd Street at the Fabulous Fox Theatre - coming to Atlanta this summer!
*Pick up your Atlanta Food & Wine Month event calendar
*Deluxe gift bags to the 1st 50 attendees
*Special guests and surprises!

Click here to purchase tickets or visit http://www.grapecrush.eventbrite.com.

Come on out to celebrate Atlanta's diverse food and wine scene...

Cheers!
The Grape Girls

Join the Wine Revolution

WANTED: Independent Wine Consultants



Grape Crush Productions has partnered with a top winery based in Napa, CA (the heart of wine country) to offer turn-key wine tasting parties! We are looking for new Wine Consultants to conduct private wine tastings and create a fun, educational environment. Requirements? Must love people and wine! No experience necessary, we train.

Private wine tastings are great for:
Anniversaries, Birthdays, Couples Showers, Girls Night In, House Warmings, Office Parties, Open Houses - Any excuse to get together with family and friends!

San Francisco ABC's "View from the Bay" Segment:
Click here to view a home wine tasting party in action.

Mini Wine Tastings & Information Sessions: RSVP today!

Atlanta, GA
Saturday, March 21, 1:30pm
Sunday, March 22, 3:00pm

Orland, FL
Tuesday, March 24, 7pm

Tampa, FL
Wednesday, March 25, 7pm

Boca Raton, FL
Thursday, March 26, 7pm

Roseville, CA
Monday, March 30, 7pm

Reno, NV
Tuesday, March 31, 7pm

April & May Locations: (Contact us for details)
California, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico, Washington, Ohio, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri

HOW TO RSVP:
Attend one of the above sessions to sample some of our handcrafted artisan wines and get an "insiders" view of the wine industry to discover the joys and rewards of a career in the wine business. To RSVP, send an email to info@GrapeCrushEvents.com and include your full name, primary email address and phone number. Be sure to state which info session you would like to attend.

Can't attend a session? Just let us know and we'll give you all the information you need to get started. This is a great way to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself!

Cheers!

The Grape Girls

Who said St. Pat's Day is just about Green Beer?!?

Although most people toast the "luck of the Irish" with a pint of beer on St. Patrick's Day-for those wine lovers out there, why not toast with a nice glass of wine instead! You don't think about great wine coming out of Ireland but read this article and get a better appreciation for the Irish and some of the world's finest wines: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11838031/.

So tomorrow wear your green and enjoy a nice glass of Irish...wine!

Interesting Wine Trivia for a Rainy Monday :(

It never hurts to have those facts that no one has heard of before in your next conversation!

1. According to scientist Bill Lembeck there are approximately 49 million bubbles in a bottle of Champagne.
2. The word Alcohol is derived from the Arabic language (al kohl or alkuhl). Consider the fact that a large proportion of the Arabic population is forbidden from consuming alcohol for religious reasons.
3. The largest cork tree in the world is known as 'The Whistler Tree'. This tree is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal and averages over 1 ton of raw cork per harvest. Enough to cork 100,000 bottles of wine.
4. The average number of grapes it takes to produce a bottle of wine: 600.
5. Dom Perignon did not invent champagne, it had existed for several years. What he did invent was the mushroom shaped cork and wire cage that allowed the sparkling wine to be safely bottled. Previous attempts had all ended with popped corks.
6. In Fairbanks, Alaska, it's illegal to feed a moose any alcohol beverage
7. The first commercial U.S. winery, established in 1823, was located in Missouri.
8. During prohibition, an interesting product called the 'Grape Brick' was sold to thousands of wine-parched households across America. Attached to the 'brick' of dried and pressed winegrape concentrate was a packet of yeast, and the stern warning, "Do not add yeast or fermentation will result."
9. The corkscrew was invented in 1860
10. Most popular varietals in Napa Valley (in order of popularity):
    Cabernet Sauvignon
    Chardonnay
    Merlot
    Sauvignon Blanc
    Pinot Noir
    Zinfandel