Come Over October – A Movement, A Social Event or Even More?
Picture of Karen MacNeil ©Michael Kelly
Was invited last week to attend a press conference to learn about a social event slated for October. It is called Come Over October! It was created by Karen MacNeil writer/journalist of “The Wine Bible” and Kimberley Charles and Gino Colangelo both being public relations veterans. The simple intent is to encourage friends, family and colleagues to “come over” during the month of October to share wine and celebrate friendship and in-person connections.
Picture of Kimberley Charles ©Michael Kelly
While many of us do this regularly, this is a purposed opportunity for the world facing societal and generation challenges with wine and the industry. It is taking a “time out” to relax, put down electronic devices and share in each other’s company per the founders. Not revolutionary or unique but simply reinforcing what some do and others don’t do with friends, wine and food.
Picture of David Pearson, President of Joseph Phelps Winery ©Michael Kelly
The meeting was held at Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa for various media folks to get the message out. Over the next couple of months, restaurants, wineries, wine shops and others will be announcing special “deals” in conjunction with this event. It has already spread throughout the United States with participants like Lyft, Total Wine & More, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Joseph Phelps Winery, Jackson Family Wines, and some 70+ businesses already signed up to participate. Internationally they have Chile and European countries signed up for Come Over October.
Karen MacNeil recounted the narrative today around the focus on alcohol and combating some of the radical direction of a misplaced neo-Prohibition movement rising. Also today there is generational trend and gap trending away from wine. She also mentioned that for 6,000 to 9,000 years wine has been a “food” to be shared communally. Wine has been a historical factor and contributor, a creative artisan venture for winemakers and a means to rediscover and integrate cultures with food and wine.
In the end, all wine afciandoes will simply be doing what they have always done, share a nice glass or bottle of wine with friends with a focus in the month of October. So October will be a time at restaurants, wineries and wine shops for unique bargains to bring home a bottle wine to share with others. The phones will be put away and communication and communal socializing may happen.
Happy Come Over October to you!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly