Sip & Shop for Toys for Tots! (Nov. 28, 2012)

Please join us on Wed., November 28th from 6-10pm at the annual Holiday Mingle Jingle marketplace and benefit for our last BIG event of the year. Enjoy complimentary wine tastings and craft beer, live entertainment, food trucks and more while finding the perfect gift for the foodie, fashionista or wine enthusiast in your life. Donate a new unwrapped toy and YOU could be the winner of a free home or office wine tasting party (valued at $500), tickets to see the Cake Boss (LIVE in Atlanta) and other cool prizes! MORE INFO




Cheers!

The Grape Girls
http://facebook.com/grapegirlsatlanta

Host a Wicked Wine Tasting Party!

Halloween heralds the start of the holiday season - and where there is a party, there is wine! A wine tasting party doesn't have to be a stuffy affair, so mix things up a little by throwing a unique Halloween bash that is sure to be a treat.

Host a wicked wine tasting party in 5 easy steps:


1.Invitations - Get crafty and make your own wine bottle shaped party invitations. Use construction paper or poster board, flat sheets of cork to make a life-like cork stopper for the top, a label in the middle of the "bottle" should provide party details.

2.Decor - Create your very own haunted wine cellar with equal amounts of sophistication and spook factor. Use old wooden barrels to hold platters of food and wine and decorate with large glass jars, grapes, pumpkins, gourds, faux leaves, lots of candles and scary touches like fake spider webs and spiders.

3.Food - Set up a nice assortment of fruit, cheese, crackers, bread, nuts and a few heavier appetizers (think stuffed mushrooms or a hearty pumpkin soup). Be sure to label your assortment with toothpicks that have labels attached - use a ghoulish computer font or eerie hand writing for maximum effect!

4.Wine - Use an old wooden door, wine crates or designate a large coffee table to display your wicked wine collection. Be sure to include some spooky brands like Vampire Wines (from Transylvania!), Poizin Zinfandel (comes in a coffin shaped box), Owen Roe Sinister Hand or Evil Cabernet Sauvignon. Add some dry ice to the display area for a ghostly effect!

5.Attention to Detail - Be sure to have great music, lots of candy, plenty of dump buckets and bottled waters handy. Place small gift bags or containers near your candy station so guests can help themsleves to take-home treats as parting gifts.

Wine & Candy Pairing Tips:

• Almond Joy and Sparkling Wine

• Snickers and Sangiovese

• Three Musketeers and Ice Dessert Wine

• Hershey’s Dark Chocolate and Syrah

• Caramel Apples and Sauvignon Blanc

• Candy Corn and Chardonnay


With these spook-tacular tips from the Grape Girls you are sure to pull off the perfect Halloween wine party. So, dress up, party down and enjoy the wine.

Want to have more fun and less work? Well, book a private Halloween wine tasting party for your home, office or venue!

Send an email to tastings@grapecrushevents.com to ask about our special rates for a professionally guided wine tasting experience now thru October 31st.

Cheers!

Join us for Sunday Wine Socials at St. Regis!

SIP. SAVOR. SOCIALIZE.

Upcoming Events: October 17 & November 7











Join us on select Sundays from 4-6pm in the St. Regis Wine Room for personalized tastings around the marble-topped sommelier counter! Learn about the subtleties of fine wine and its history and traditions as we sample artisan wines from around the globe. Plus, enter-to-win fabulous door prizes including tickets to Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art, Taste of Atlanta VIP Wine Experience and a FREE home or office private wine tasting party (valued at $500)! For more information and to RSVP, visit www.winesocial.eventbrite.com.

Hosted by Grape Crush Productions and Harry Constantinescu, Wine Director at the St. Regis.

Cheers!

Atlanta Food & Wine Month 2010 "Sips Off" on April 1st!

Discover the Art of Wine! Join us for the Atlanta Food & Wine Month 2010 launch party on Thursday, April 1st at Kai Lin Art.




About Atlanta Food & Wine Month:

At Grape Crush Productions we believe the culinary arts are a vital part of a city's culture. In partnership with the City of Atlanta (Office of Cultural Affairs), we are celebrating the local food and wine scene for an entire month with exciting events at diverse venues. Atlanta Food & Wine Month, now in its second year, effectively fuses the love of food and wine with all art forms in a series of special events highlighting the best venues, chefs, restaurants, sommeliers, art galleries, retailers and more that our city has to offer. April is also Jazz Appreciation Month and many events will feature live entertainment from Atlanta's best jazz artists. From wine tasting parties at art galleries and clothing boutiques, to hot restaurant meal deals - locals and visitors alike are encouraged to eat, sip and savor all around town!

Click here for tickets or visit www.foodwine.eventbrite.com. Don't miss the early bird ticket specials!

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

Cheers!

Fun & Fashion at Festivity Boutique!

Thanks for joining us for Shop for a Cause on Nov. 19th at Festivity Boutique in Buckhead!

The Grape Girls joined Ginger Emas, author of Back On Top - Fearless Dating After Divorce, for a unique charity shopping event to benefit the Atlanta Women's Foundation.

The event featured a wine tasting and preview of Tree of Life's pomegranate wine (3 times the antioxidants of other red wines!), makeovers, fabulous door prizes and great shopping deals.

Click here to view event pics.

UPCOMING EVENT:

Wednesday, December 2, 5-8pm

Holiday Style Soiree & Wine Tasting

Bloomingdale's Perimeter Mall

YES Level 2

RSVP required, click here for details.

NEW:

Join the Virtual Grape social network and connect with Atlanta foodies and wine lovers! Create a profile, get exclusive event invitations, share news and more: http://virtualgrape.ning.com.

Cheers!

Red & White Friday - Skip the Mall Madness!

Skip the Black Friday mall madness and enjoy our stress-free Red & White Friday special!

We have the perfect holiday gift for that special wine lover in your life who has everything. A Grape Gurus Wine Club membership is the perfect opportunity to expand or develop your love of wine. Whether you or your fave wineaux is an industry veteran, a foodie or hobbyist, or simply enjoys the occasional glass of vino - membership has its benefits!

Grape Gurus enjoy:

*FREE and discounted wine tastings, wine dinners and special events
*Wine education opportunities
*Advance notice of special events and travel excursions with priority registration status
*Discounts at affiliated restaurants and businesses (NEW in 2010)
*Complimentary welcome gift and more

Red & White Friday Special Offer: (click to purchase)

$49.00 - (Single) Grape Gurus Annual Membership
$69.00 - (Couples) Grape Gurus Annual Membership

Our discounted 12 month memberships are over a $250 value!
Gift certificates are available. Offer is valid thru Friday, December 4, 2009.

Join a Grape Team: Account Executives Wanted!

Here we grow again! If you are results oriented, dedicated and ready to contribute - we want to talk to you...

Job Snapshot
Location: Based in Atlanta, GA
Type: Independent Contractor
Expertise: Hospitality, Sales & Marketing, Public Relations, Special Events

Education: 4 Year Degree
Experience: 5+ years
Contact Information: info@GrapeCrushEvents.com
Ref ID: Account Executive (GCP) – Atlanta

About Us
National Party Starters, a leading event planning, marketing and management firm, is looking to add new talent to our team. The company has built a solid reputation for providing cost-effective marketing programs, special events and consumer promotions to businesses of all types. We currently have career opportunities available within our newest division - Grape Crush Productions (GCP)!

GCP specializes in wine tastings, events, education and excursions. Our mission is to demystify the wine tasting experience, food pairing and selection process making great food and wine accessible to all. As we continue to grow our operations, we are looking for talented, passionate people with great ideas to join the team. We aim to create an environment that is supportive, diverse, and as fun as our brand. If you want direct compensation for your efforts, a challenging but fun business environment and no micro-management then this opportunity may be for you!

The Ideal Candidate
GCP Account Executives are extremely polished professionals responsible for the sales, marketing and management of wine tastings, culinary events, travel excursions and special programs across the nation. You will strategically develop and grow our client base within the hospitality, retail, nonprofit, auto and other designated industries. The ideal candidate is considered an industry expert, has a large sphere of influence and existing contacts in our niche markets, as well as a proven track record of growing and developing new business. Sponsorship sales experience is a plus. This is a great opportunity for a full-time career or 2nd income!

For a complete job description, send an email to info@GrapeCrushEvents.com with an overview of your credentials.

Clo Wine Bar - Where Tasting Meets Technology

Clo Wine Bar in NYC's Time Warner Center is the most high-tech wine bar in the world.

The people at Clo believe wine isn't just a beverage - it's an experience. The flagship location is an edgy, sleek, and vibrant space combining cutting-edge 21st century style with the intimacy and inviting ambiance of a wine cellar. Clo boasts stunning views of Columbus Circle and Central Park and is surrounded by world class restaurants - Per Se, Masa and Porterhouse.

Since opening in 2008, guests have flocked to this energetic space to interact and experiment with wine in a whole new way. A unique eno-tasting system is at the heart of Clo. A modern dispensing technology showcases more than 100 wine selections creating the opportunity for guests to sample, explore and enjoy 4 oz. tasting pours of a broad spectrum of wines from around the world. Featuring tables with interactive, wine-serving touch screen computers, customers can select vino by region, flavor, body, color and year until they get the perfect glass of wine. All the wine is self-service and stored under glass in a temperature-controlled wine preservation system.

Clo successfully integrates curation, education, technology and value to provide the customer with a truly unique wine experience. They also share a common goal with the Grape Girls - to make the world of wine engaging and accessible to everyone.

Clo Wine Bar
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10019
212.823.9898

Join us for Wine Over Water on Sept. 26th!

WINE OVER WATER 2009
-Wine Tasting Day Trip-

Join the Grape Girls for a "grape escape" to Wine Over Water - Tennessee's premier wine-tasting festival! Early bird $99 rate ends on August 3, 2009.

Stroll Chattanooga's historic Walnut Street Bridge spanning the scenic Tennessee River – one of the world's longest pedestrian bridges – while sampling wines from over 100 world wineries. The annual festival features top wineries, live music, restaurant tastings and more!

This "Grape Escape" includes:

• Central metro Atlanta meet-up location and secure parking
• Complimentary glass of wine at check-in
• Luxury, air-conditioned transportation to and from the event with snacks
• A sampling of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from around the globe
• Commemorative wine goblet
• Sample fare from area restaurants serving "tastes" on the bridge - restaurant fare is not included in the ticket price - taste tickets are available at the event
• and much more!
  

Singles, couples and all levels of wine enthusiasts are welcome. Grape Guru wine club members receive an extra $10 OFF!

Departure Time: Meet at 2PM for check-in, depart at 2:30PM
Festival Info: 5-8PM
Return Time: Approximately 10PM
Departure and Return Location: You will receive detailed instructions prior to the trip
Bring: Cash for restaurant taste tickets and other festival activities (Wine tasting is included in the cost of the trip)
Wear: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate casual attire

Click here for more information, or visit http://www.winetrip.eventbrite.com/.

Cheers!

Host a Home Wine Tasting Party!

The Grape Girls are bringing the tasting room to your living room...

Hosting a private wine tasting is easy - and so much fun!

With the help of our wine consultants, you can turn your living room into a private winery. Simply invite your friends and family and we'll do all the work. At the wine tasting, you and your guests will enjoy sampling exclusive limited-production wines not available in stores. And did we mention the rewards? Just for opening your home you will also receive special discounts on wine, special host gifts, and seasonal recipes.

When you host a private home tasting, you'll discover our fabulous selection of wines, catch-up with friends and family, and experience for yourself a taste of wine country living right at home!

Wine tasting parties are great for:

Anniversary and Birthday celebrations

Girls/Guys "Night In"

Showers

Weddings

Any excuse to get together with family and friends!

Benefits of hosting a home wine tasting party:

A fun and easy way to entertain friends
Access to handcrafted wines not available in stores
Free shipping on case orders placed at your Tasting for you and your guests
Online invitation system - Invite your a guests and view responses online
Learn helpful tips on wine and food pairing
Have fun sampling wines in a comfortable setting before you buy
Convenient home delivery of orders to each guest

Hosting an at home wine tasting is simple:

Contact the Grape Girls to reserve a date
Invite your friends
Provide simple appetizers
Relax and enjoy the Tasting!

We provide the wine glasses and suggestions for cheese and chocolate pairings.

SPECIAL OFFER: Take advantage of our special rates and host a wine tasting party for up to 16 guests for only $59! Contact us for info and pricing on larger wine tastings and fundraisers.

SPA PARTY ADD-ON: We have partnered with Spa Parties Atlanta, the leader in mobile spa services. You can add on a spa party (facials, massages, reflexology and more) at the time of your booking!

This is the most economical way to entertain-at-home and enjoy a unique experience.

Contact us today, send an email to info@GrapeCrushEvents.com with "Wine Tasting" in the subject heading. We are booking now for August and September!

Home wine tasting parties - edutainment at its best with recession buster prices!

The Day Atlanta Turned Pink!

On July 15th, the Grape Girls hosted the cast members of Legally Blonde The Musical at a special meet and greet at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square.




The event supported Girl Talk - an Atlanta, GA based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with chapters in 21 states reaching over 30,000 girls.

The event, produced by Atlanta Party Starters, featured hand treatments from Spa Parties Atlanta, a wine tasting led by the Grape Girls, refreshments from Chocolate Pink Cafe and Vitamin Water and of course fashion and beauty makeovers. Six lucky winners received tickets to the July 16th performance including the newly crowned "Delta Nu Queen and Princess" from the pink carpet fashion throwdown!



Click here to view more event photos. Click here to read the full article.

Legally Blonde the Musical continues at the Fox Theatre thru July 19, 2009.


Click here for tickets and details.

Special Announcement: Vino & Spa Party Launch!

Atlanta's leading event marketing company and mobile spa service team up to offer luxurious wine tasting and spa parties!

Grape Crush Productions and Spa Parties Atlanta today announced a partnership designed to give Atlantans a new way to party -and save! Merging the Napa Valley wine tasting experience with rejuvenating spa services, the new Vino & Spa packages are the ultimate entertain-at-home option.


The growing entertain-at-home consumer is looking for a "wow factor" and unique entertaining ideas for home parties.
Vino & Spa parties are an ideal way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers, girls/guys "night in", or provide an excuse to get together with friends and family.

In addition to home parties, the Vino & Spa packages are perfect for corporate and nonprofit events, employee or client appreciation events, pre-function activities, fundraisers, art show openings and retail events.


For more information, click here to read the press release or contact us via email at info@GrapeCrushEvents.com.

Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe - Journey to Jamaica!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe, a cozy restaurant in the heart of Sandy Springs, at the owner's invitation. We knew we were in for a treat, but little did we know we would be transported on a culinary journey straight to Jamaica!

Chef Rob is an expert at caribbean-fusion cuisine. Jamaican, Asian and southern American flavor inspirations merged into unique dishes that tantalized our taste buds. We munched on the sampler platter which included conch fritters, coconut shrimp, jerk chicken egg rolls and jerk chicken wings with a variety of house-made dipping sauces. Customer favorites include the jerk chicken caesar salad, cajun seafood pasta and curried goat. Vegetarians will enjoy the "Rasta Pasta" and Bob Marley's "Vegetarian Delight" - assorted grilled vegetables, fresh rosemary, butter beans in a light vegetable broth served over fettuccine pasta with a sweet chili sauce or caribbean jerk.

Now, when one thinks of the Caribbean, wine is definitely not the first thing that comes to mind. Chef Rob's is best known for pouring marvelous mojitos, but the bar manager treated us to a special flight from the new wine list. Although the list is small and still being fine-tuned, they offer a few options that traditionally pair best with spicy foods. Look for aromatic whites like Gewürtztraminer (pronounced guh-VOORTS-truh-MEE-nur), Pinot Grigio (PEA-no GREE-jzhee-o) and Riesling (REEZ-ling).

TIP: Well-chilled, crisp, fruity whites work better than reds overall to combat the rich, spicy flavors of caribbean dishes. Hot food in general should be paired with wines that have a somewhat sweet element to them. Look for refreshing dry-sweet or lightly sweet wines for a great pairing experience.

We now understand why music moguls (Chef Rob developed the concept of Justin's Restaurant for Sean "P-Diddy" Combs) and locals alike flock here when they need a culinary escape. Lively music, vibrant decor, daily food and drink specials, nightly events and a courteous staff are awaiting you. So, if you can't take a quick getaway to Jamaica, Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe is the next best thing!

Oh yeah, did we mention they cater? Visit www.chefrobscafe.com for the address, menu and event schedule.

The Grape Girls are now on Facebook!

Follow the Grape Girls on their wine-ventures...

We'll keep you posted on what's new and hot on the food and wine scene as we

eat, sip and savor all over the globe.

Become a fan of our Facebook page to receive exclusive invitations to

upcoming wine events and FB only ticket discounts and special offers!

Click here to join us today!

The Wine Loft - A "Grape" New Place!

Hi Everyone,

Last week the Grape Girls and I stopped by the Wine Loft for a quick business meeting, and of course a great glass of wine. I had been a few times before, but wanted the rest of the gang to see it as we narrow down our options for the upcoming Grape Crush launch party. As suspected, they loved it as much as I do! The Wine Loft is an upscale wine bar featuring over 90 wines (yes, 90+) by the glass and 230 by the bottle. Plus, they have great food like wild mushroom bruschetta, artisan cheeses, lamb lollipops, BBQ shrimp and more. It has the feel of a contemporary urban loft, but is SO intimate and cozy!

Be sure to stop by for the Wednesday wine tastings or live music on the weekends. Visit http://thewineloftatl.com/ for directions and more info. Say "hi" to Ashley and Rob for us!

Cheers,

Kyla

WANTED: Independent Wine Consultants

MUST LOVE WINE!

(No Experience Necessary!)

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!

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!

Contact us for an exclusive invitation to an upcoming road show where you'll 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. Send an email to: info@GrapeCrushEvents.com.

Road Shows are currently being held in Kennesaw, GA (Feb. 10), Columbus, GA (Feb. 11), Alpharetta, GA (Feb. 12), Napa, CA (Feb. 21) and Las Vegas, NV (Feb. 24).

Can't attend a session? Just let us know and we'll give you all the information you need to get started. We are looking for consultants in other areas of the country as well. This is a great way to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself!

Cheers!

The Grape Girls

http://www.grapecrushevents.com/