Three things on my mind this month.
My june platinum magazine article is out - and it completely changed my view of napa
When people think about Napa Valley, they often think big, bold wines with equally big price tags. But after interviewing Lisa Togni of Philip Togni Vineyard, I realised there’s another side to California wine entirely.
Her wines are about restraint, freshness and balance rather than power. Organic farming. Dry farming. Lower alcohol. Wines designed for the table rather than simply making a statement.
One wine I keep thinking about?
Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon
Not an everyday bottle (£89+ certainly isn’t everyday), but actually a brilliant wine to experience at one of my corporate events. Because sometimes memorable hospitality means introducing guests to something they simply wouldn’t order themselves.
This is the sort of wine that creates conversation. Guests remember discovering something new, and experiencing a bottle they may never otherwise have opened.
Why great client events rarely happen by accident
I hosted an event recently where I arrived early and immediately realised something was wrong. The whites were fridge-cold. The lighter reds were warm. Sparkling hadn’t been properly chilled.
And honestly? This happens more than people realise.
The biggest mistake I see professional services firms make is assuming somebody else is checking the details.
Because guest experience isn’t usually ruined by one huge mistake.
It’s ruined by twenty tiny ones. Lighting. Music. Glassware. Food timing. Temperature. How quickly guests are looked after.
The best client events feel effortless from the outside because somebody behind the scenes is paying attention to all the things guests never consciously notice.
Wine is rarely the point. It’s what happens around it.
Summer is here. Let’s use your rooftop properly.
A few formats working particularly well right now:
Rooftop Wine Safari: Three tasting stations. Guests move around naturally. Great for networking events and larger groups.
Sparkling & Rosé Tastings: Relaxed, summer-focused tastings designed for clients, teams and after-work events.
Women in Wine Experiences: A proven format for client entertainment, networking and D&I events.
If you’re thinking about September diaries already (and many firms already are), now is the time to start planning.
Email:
elizabeth@elizabethandwine.com
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Founder, Elizabeth & Wine
📸 @elizabethwinegirl
Contact:
📞 07850 855818
✉️ elizabeth@elizabethandwine.com
Elizabeth & Wine specializes in client entertaining, leadership events, office openings, International Women’s Day, and end-of-year celebrations.