Wine Tasting Parties with Zoom

We have passed the year mark of COVID and there is much left to be desired when hanging out with friends and family in a safe, non-boring way. We all miss going out and going to a wine tasting, but how about bringing this party to your friends through Zoom? Here are some tips and tricks that will help you create the best Socially Distant Wine Tasting Party! 

First, set a solid date and time. Gatherings these days (virtual or not) have a little less leeway when it comes to “just dropping in”, so invite your guests to take a virtual vote on a favored day and have some fun setting it up. The more group chats you have, the easier and more fun they get!  Zoom parties are best after a small meal, so the guests can enjoy their finger food and wine without being too hungry. Eating a large meal over zoom juuuuust isn’t the same as when you’re around a nice table with others. Nobody wants to go home feeling like Bugs Bunny drilling through a bucket of carrots at the opera! 

Step two. Create a theme. Wine tasting parties usually incorporate a theme such as only tasting one style of wine (red, white, Merlot, Pinot) or with one wine vendor (Like Rosella’s!). Once you find out what theme you would like to follow, it’s a good idea to learn some facts and the history of the wine. That way, you can wow your guests with some intriguing facts. Here at Rosella’s, we are always excited to tell you some of our favorite stories about our wines!

The third step is to send out some fun goodies! Rather than having everything online, give gifts! These can be crazy hats, wine tasting cards (so they can jot down what they think of each wine), a list of foods that can be bought to create good wine pairings, and even the wine bottles (or a list of the wines they need to get). These physical items aren’t as good as going out in real life, but it will give everyone some added fun! You can also send Washi tape or fake flowers so guests can decorate their walls and feel that much more connected with the festivities and people. If you want to liven it up even more, make sure that everyone has some cleared floor space to dance around. Have some music ready for the serious tasting time and music for the playfulness and dancing time to help set the moods and bring everyone together.  

Be sure to schedule some time to account for technical issues and that everyone knows how and where to sign on without difficulty. There will always be one person who will forget to turn on their mic or video, so even if you don’t think that you will need this time, you will! Then, let the games begin!

Remember, enjoy yourself. Relax! This party is not only to learn more about wines, it is to enjoy the company of other people. Especially during this time, it is important to hold onto those important connections and we here at Rosella’s Vineyard & Winery want to help you have fun with your friends and family while enjoying amazing wine!! Now get on Zoom (or a similar platform), learn about wine and shake your thang with your friends!!! 

   ~Cheers!