There is something particularly special about working with returning clients.
Last year, I had the pleasure of creating a rooftop Wine Safari for Bank of New York. This year, we took things in a different direction with something more intimate: a team wine tasting designed to bring together colleagues from across the world after a busy day in the office.
With 25 guests joining from different countries and backgrounds, this wasn’t simply about drinking wine. It was about creating space for conversation.
Why wine works so well for global teams
One of the things I love most about wine is that it quickly becomes personal.
We started the evening discussing palate preferences and how the foods we grow up eating shape how we taste. Something as simple as coconut became an interesting conversation starter: for many people raised in South East Asia, coconut is often associated with savoury dishes, while many people in the UK immediately think of sweet treats.
These conversations sound small, but they matter.
Wine gives people permission to talk about where they come from, what they enjoy, and the experiences that shaped them. For teams made up of people from different countries and cultures, it becomes a surprisingly effective way to create connection.
Great wine makes memorable events
The wines themselves were exceptional.
We explored beautiful vintages poured from magnums, including:
• 2018 Meursault from Billot Millot
• 2017 Roagna Barolo
• English sparkling wine to start the evening
There is something undeniably exciting about seeing magnums arrive at the table. They create theatre, encourage discussion, and make an event feel different from an ordinary evening drink after work.
While wine is rarely the main reason people remember an event, great wine absolutely helps create memorable moments.
Creating downtime that actually feels valuable
Corporate events are often designed around activity.
Sometimes what teams actually need is space.
After long days in the office, a two-hour tasting with great wine, relaxed conversation, and no pressure to perform can be incredibly valuable.
The result was exactly what we hoped for: conversation flowed, people stayed engaged, and by the end of the evening it genuinely felt like connections had formed.
A huge thank you to Bank of New York for inviting me back.
If you’re planning a team event, client entertainment evening, or networking experience in London and want something interactive, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable, I’d love to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a corporate wine tasting last?
Most corporate wine tastings work best between 90 minutes and two hours.
Are corporate wine tastings good for team building?
Yes. Structured wine tastings encourage conversation naturally and help teams connect without forced networking activities.
Can corporate wine tastings be hosted in offices?
Absolutely. Many events take place directly in offices across London.
Elizabeth Hawthorthwaite
