Tag Archives: Come Over October

WineAmerica Proudly Sponsors 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus Press Conference and Reception

Second-Year Sponsorship Highlights American Wine Industry's Economic Impact and Community Building Mission

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, announced today its proud sponsorship of the 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus press conference and reception, taking place on October 8 in Washington, D.C. This marks the second consecutive year WineAmerica has supported this important invitation-only industry event, demonstrating the organization’s continued commitment to fostering bipartisan support for America’s burgeoning wine industry.

Image caption: WineAmerica Proudly Sponsors 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus Press Conference and Reception.

The reception will showcase wines from across many states, celebrating the breadth, diversity and quality of American wine production from coast to coast. This comprehensive representation underscores the truly national scope of the American wine industry, which now includes 10,637 wine producers operating in every state.

ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE SUPPORTING AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

WineAmerica’s sponsorship comes as new data from the organization’s 2025 Economic Impact Study reveals the extraordinary contribution of the wine industry to the American economy. The American wine industry generates close to $323.55 billion in total economic activity, supporting 1.75 million jobs nationwide with an average annual wage of $58,400 in wages and benefits.

The study highlights several key economic drivers:

Job Creation: The wine industry provides good jobs, paying an average of $58,400 in annual wages and benefits. The total wages generated by direct, indirect, and induced economic activity driven by the wine industry are $102.14 billion.
Tourism Impact: America’s “wine country” regions will generate 74 million tourist visits and $14.13 billion in annual tourism expenditures, benefiting local economies and tax bases.
Tax Revenue: The industry generates over $53.24 billion in federal, state, and local taxes ($46.04 billion in business taxes plus $7.20 billion in consumption taxes), providing crucial funding for public services and infrastructure.
Agricultural Preservation: The industry maintains 763,080 acres of vineyards, preserving agricultural land and supporting sustainable farming practices.

EARLY AND COMMITTED ADVOCACY PARTNER

WineAmerica has been an avid and early supporter of the Come Over October campaign since its inception. The organization recognizes the campaign’s vital role in building authentic connections within the wine community and promoting the social and cultural significance of wine in American life. WineAmerica President Jim Trezise shared, “Come Over October” is a perfect example of why the wine community is so special—people working together to advance the common good. In a challenging time for the wine industry, three top wine communication professionals pooled their creativity and volunteered their time to elevate the magic of wine on an international scale. We at WineAmerica were honored to play a supporting role by amplifying the message and hosting the Congressional wine reception toasting this collaborative spirit. Many thanks to Karen MacNeil, Kimberly Noelle Charles, and Gino Colangelo for bringing us all together. Cheers!

The Come Over October campaign has achieved remarkable success, with the 2024 inaugural initiative reaching an estimated 1.7 billion unique visitor impressions and engaging over 10 million people through diverse channels nationwide.

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES

The collaboration between WineAmerica and Come Over October represents a shared commitment to advancing American wine culture through authentic community building and advocacy. Come Over October’s co-founding team share their thoughts here:

“The American wine industry is based on a value system of generosity, connection, and respect for Nature. Wine is the ultimate authentic beverage–a beverage that throughout history has inspired people to come together, creating new friendships and deepening old ones,” said Karen MacNeil, author of “The Wine Bible,” and co-founder of Come Over October.

“We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with WineAmerica, who was among the first to put up their hand in support of the concept when we launched Come Over October in the spring of 2024. Their modus operandi is to collaborate, uplift and amplify which is what our beloved wine industry needs most and what our spirit represents with the campaign,” said Kimberly Noelle Charles, President of Charles Communications Associates and co-founder of Come Over October.

“Support from WineAmerica has been invaluable in helping us reach millions of Americans with positive messages about wine,’ said Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners (www.colangelopr.com) and co-founder of the Come Over October campaign. ‘We share a common mission: To promote wine culture in the US, thereby supporting American wineries and encouraging moderate consumption of this most special beverage.”

CONTINUED INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Come Over October 2025 extends gratitude to its sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns’ success. In addition to the sponsorship at the Benefactor level of this reception by WineAmerica, Foundational sponsors include: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Benefactors include CMB Family of Wines, Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group, Total Wine & More, and wine.com. Other financial sponsors include Boisset Collection, Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley, Ponzi Vineyards, Rodney Strong, and Wilson Daniels. Media sponsors include: The Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair, The Vintner Project, and Wine Industry Network.

For more information on how to become a supporter or advocate visit https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/support-the-movement/ To inquire further about the reception, contact info@comeoveroctober.com

ABOUT WINEAMERICA

WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, is the voice of America’s wine industry. Founded in 1978, WineAmerica represents wineries in all 50 states on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal level. The organization works to advance the business environment for American wineries through advocacy, education, and promotion of the economic and cultural contributions of the wine industry to American society.

ABOUT COME TOGETHER – A COMMUNITY FOR WINE

COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine is a dynamic community for wine enthusiasts dedicated to fostering connections, education, and appreciation within the wine world. Through innovative campaigns and community-driven initiatives, the organization brings together industry professionals, passionate consumers, and wine lovers of all backgrounds to celebrate wine’s unique ability to create meaningful human connections. Founded by noted wine writer and author Karen MacNeil, along with leading wine industry marketers Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, the mission-driven company shares the story of wine’s historic and contemporary role as a beverage that uniquely brings people together.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

WineAmerica:

Jim Trezise, President WineAmerica jimtrezise@wineamerica.org

Come Over October:

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET
kcharles@charlescomm.com
415-701-WINE (9463)

Gino Colangelo
gcolangelo@colangelopr.com
646-403-0146

For more information about Come Over October, visit https://www.comeoveroctober.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/wineamerica-proudly-sponsors-2025-come-over-october-congressional-wine-caucus-press-conference-and-reception/

‘COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine’ Announces Second Annual ‘Come Over October’ Campaign

Building on Record-Breaking 2024 Success, Initiative Prepares to Expand Wine Community Connections Nationwide - and Internationally

ST. HELENA, Calif., July 24, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine today announced that planning is underway for its highly anticipated second annual “Come Over October” campaign, building on the extraordinary success of 2024’s inaugural initiative. The community-driven wine platform continues to demonstrate the power of authentic connection through wine appreciation, preparing to expand its reach and impact even further this fall.

Image caption: Karen MacNeil and Winemaker Alecia Moore (stage name Pink).

2024 CAMPAIGN ACHIEVES UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS

The inaugural Come Over October campaign delivered remarkable results across all metrics, reaching an estimated 1.7 billion unique visitor impressions (UVMs) and engaging over 10 million people through diverse channels. The campaign generated significant momentum with 4 million social media impressions through patron and friend networks, reached 1 million consumers through in-store traffic across 900+ retail locations including Total Wine and Kroger, and achieved 3 million advertising impressions through features in Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel Magazine, SOMM Journal, VinePair, Wine Folly, and other leading publications.

SPRING SUCCESS BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR FALL

Following the success of Come Over October 2024, COME TOGETHER’s 2025 Share & Pair Sundays spring campaign achieved additional milestones, generating over 122 million unique visitor impressions from 300+ media articles, reaching 4.5 million consumers through in-store activations across 500+ retail locations in 43 designated market areas, and creating 89,000+ social media impressions.

TEN WAYS TO COME OVER OCTOBER

The 2025 campaign will feature ten curated suggestions for bringing people together through wine, including:
Game Day gatherings with wine and snacks
Best Friend nights centered around cooking dinner together
Neighborhood Potlucks that build community connections,
Leaves Changing Color celebrations with white, red and rosé tastings after autumn walks
At-home wine tasting parties for old and new friends
Wine Book Club gatherings that combine reading with regional wine exploration
Renewed Sunday Supper traditions
End of October costume parties featuring bewitching wines
TGIF Wine and Cheese gatherings after work
Love Your Local Winery visits to support the wineries in all 50 states.

ALECIA MOORE (STAGE NAME PINK) HIGHLIGHTS WINE’S HUMAN CONNECTION

The campaign will feature a video from a recent exclusive interview with winemaker Alecia Moore, (stage name Pink), who eloquently articulates wine’s power to foster meaningful human connection. “When you open a bottle of wine, you open a conversation,” Moore shared. “You get to learn where someone is from, what their favorite childhood memories might be, what their favorite scent is and why, when they had their first heartbreak. We bond over these stories.”

Moore’s perspective resonates particularly strongly in today’s increasingly digital world: “The more and more that we disconnect through devices and tuning out, the more we will see that our souls will be hungry for connection.” She emphasizes wine’s unique role in fostering authentic relationships, noting that “Wine is a very human experience. We need to inject more humanity back in the world.”

See Alecia’s recent interview with Karen MacNeil here (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV_rTnx8to4

INDUSTRY LEADERS CHAMPION COMMUNITY CONNECTION

The campaign’s founders continue to champion the initiative’s core mission of building authentic wine communities.

“The inspiration for these campaigns comes from a simple but powerful belief: wine is meant to bring people together,” said Karen MacNeil, acclaimed wine author and co-founder of COME TOGETHER. “When we create spaces for authentic connection around wine, we’re not just sharing bottles – we’re connecting communities, cultures, and perspectives. That’s the true spirit driving everything we do.”

Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners emphasized the broad industry support driving the initiative’s success: “The level of industry support we’ve witnessed has been truly remarkable. From small family wineries to major industry players, everyone understands that fostering genuine community with wine drinkers benefits us all. This isn’t just about marketing; it’s about strengthening the entire wine ecosystem through community-building and authentic connections.”

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, highlighted the campaign’s unprecedented reach and resonance: “What we’re seeing is unprecedented reach and resonance across all segments of the wine world. We’re narrowing the gap between industry insiders and passionate consumers in ways that create lasting value for everyone involved. The response from trade professionals has been overwhelming, but equally exciting is how these initiatives are connecting with everyday wine enthusiasts through everything from intimate winery experiences to major retail activations.”

FALL PLANS

The Come Together team is planning on hosting press conferences this fall in New York City and Washington DC. In a nod to the international reach of this movement, this year, the country of Canada, through Wine Growers Canada, will be executing a countrywide Come Over October program.

CONTINUED INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Come Over October 2025 extends gratitude to its sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns’ success. Foundational sponsors include: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Benefactors include CMB Family of Wines, Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group and Total Wine & More and wine.com. Sponsors include Boisset Collection, Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley, Ponzi Vineyards, Rodney Strong, Wilson Daniels and WineAmerica. Media sponsors include: The Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair, The Vintner Project, and Wine Industry Network.

For more information on how to become a supporter or advocate visit here: https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/support-the-movement/

ABOUT COME TOGETHER — A COMMUNITY FOR WINE

For more information about Come Over October, visit https://www.comeoveroctober.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gino Colangelo
gcolangelo@colangelopr.com
646-403-0146

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET
kcharles@charlescomm.com
415-701-WINE (9463)

MULTIMEDIA:

IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/25-0724-s2p-karen-alecia-300dpi.jpg

Image caption: Karen MacNeil and Winemaker Alecia Moore (stage name Pink).

NEWS SOURCE: COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/come-together-a-community-for-wine-announces-second-annual-come-over-october-campaign/

‘COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine’ Concludes Successful ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Spring Campaign: Announces Second Annual ‘Come Over October’ Initiative

Community-driven wine platform builds consumer global awareness and industry support

HELENA, Calif., June 5, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — COME TOGETHER – A Community for Wine, a mission-driven company focused on wine advocacy, today announced the successful conclusion of its inaugural Share & Pair Sundays spring campaign while announcing plans for its highly anticipated second annual “Come Over October” campaign this fall. Through both initiatives, the organization, founded by three wine industry leaders, has demonstrated the power of community-driven advocacy to reach consumers with positive messages about wine.

Image caption: COME TOGETHER – A Community for Wine.

SPRING SUCCESS SETS STAGE FOR FALL GROWTH

The Share & Pair Sundays campaign achieved remarkable success throughout the spring season, generating over 122 million unique visitor impressions from 300+ media articles, reaching 4.5 million consumers through in-store activations across 500+ retail locations in 43 designated market areas, and creating 89,000+ social media impressions. The campaign brought together wine lovers nationwide, creating meaningful connections and shared experiences around wine appreciation through diverse activations ranging from winery events to retail partnerships. Building on this momentum, COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine is preparing to launch its second annual Come Over October campaign, which promises to expand the community’s reach and impact even further.

“The inspiration for these campaigns comes from a simple but powerful belief: wine is meant to bring people together,” said Karen MacNeil, reflecting on the campaign’s origins. “When we create spaces for authentic connection around wine, we’re not just sharing bottles – we’re connecting communities, cultures, and perspectives. That’s the true spirit driving everything we do.”

INDUSTRY SUPPORT FUELS COMMUNITY GROWTH

The campaigns have garnered significant support from across the wine industry, with sponsors and partners recognizing the value of community-centered initiatives. Notable participants included premier wineries such as Far Niente, PEJU Winery, and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, retail partners such as Gary’s Wine & Marketplace and Kroger through Constellation Brands, and regional wine organizations including Paso Robles Wine Country and Texas Fine Wine among many others. This broad coalition has been instrumental in the organization’s ability to raise awareness on a global scale.

“The level of industry support we’ve witnessed has been truly remarkable,” noted Gino Colangelo, speaking to the broad coalition backing the initiatives. “From small family wineries to major industry players, everyone understands that fostering genuine wine communities with wine drinkers benefits us all. This isn’t just about marketing; it’s about strengthening the entire wine ecosystem through community and authentic connections.”

DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS ACROSS MULTIPLE CHANNELS

The Share & Pair Sundays campaign’s success was evident across diverse activation channels. Wineries like Peju Vineyards created dynamic 10-week culinary experiences featuring global flavors, while Far Niente Wine Estates aligned the campaign with their signature “Il Dolce Far Niente” philosophy. Retail partners achieved significant results, with Constellation Brands and Kroger delivering over 4.4 million impressions and receiving nearly $12,000 in bonus media value. Regional wine organizations including Paso Robles Wine Country and Texas Fine Wine amplified the message through podcasts and social media, while cultural collaborations with nationally notable figures such as Italian chef and PBS personality, Lidia Bastianich brought additional depth and authenticity to the campaign.

“What we’re seeing is unprecedented reach and resonance across all segments of the wine world,” explained Kimberly Noelle Charles, highlighting the campaigns’ broad appeal. “From over 122 million media impressions to 4.5 million in-store consumer touchpoints, we’re narrowing the gap between industry insiders and passionate consumers in ways that create lasting value for everyone involved. The response from trade professionals has been overwhelming, but equally exciting is how these initiatives are connecting with everyday wine enthusiasts through everything from intimate winery experiences to major retail activations.”

FALL PLANS INCLUDE HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS

COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine, has ambitious plans for the fall season, including a second Congressional Wine Caucus tasting, building on the success of previous legislative engagement efforts. The organization will also host press conferences in both New York City and Washington, D.C., to highlight the growing influence of community-driven wine advocacy.

These events underscore the organization’s commitment to elevating wine’s role in cultural and policy discussions while maintaining its grassroots community focus.

SPONSOR RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT

Come Together extends gratitude to its 2025 sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns’ success. Foundational sponsors included: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Benefactors included: Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group and Total Wine & More. Sponsors included: Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, the Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley and Ponzi Vineyards. Media sponsors included: The Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair and Wine Industry Network.

A complete listing of supporters can be found here: https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/patrons/.

For more information on continued support, please visit here: https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/support-the-movement/.

The combination of financial support and industry partnerships has enabled the organization to pursue its mission of building meaningful wine communities while raising significant awareness among consumers for wine culture and appreciation.

About COME TOGETHER — A Community for Wine

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information please contact either Gino Colangelo gcolangelo@colangelopr.com 646-403-0146 or Kimberly Noelle Charles kcharles@charlescomm.com 415-701-WINE [9463]

NEWS SOURCE: COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/come-together-a-community-for-wine-concludes-successful-share-pair-sundays-spring-campaign-announces-second-annual-come-over-october-initiative/

Inaugural Come Over October 2024 Campaign Gains Global Momentum

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Four months into the launch of the Come Over October inaugural campaign which encourages friends, family and colleagues to "come over" during the month of October to share wine and celebrate connection, the co-founders share that the wine industry and other supporters have helped raised over $100,000 in funding. Conceived by respected wine authority and author Karen MacNeil, together with wine industry communications professionals Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, all of whom are working in a pro bono capacity, the team created COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc., to create campaigns and take a strong position on the relevance and significance of wine, historically and contemporarily.

Since its initial launch, the campaign has received financial and in-kind support from Total Wines & More, Jackson Family Wines, J.Lohr, Joseph Phelps, Lyft, VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal, The Tasting Panel, Napa Valley Vintners, Visit Napa Valley, Palm Bay International, Freixenet Mionetto, WineAmerica, Amici Cellars, Benchmark Wine Group, Dragonette, LXV, Silicon Valley Bank, Tomorrow Cellars, TOR Napa Valley, Willamette Valley Wineries Association, Wines of Sicilia DOC, Southern Wine & Spirits, Realm Cellars, Folio Fine Wine Partners and Walla Walla Valley Wine. More partners are joining daily, and the campaign has over 40 "Friends" who have either offered in kind services or joined as grassroots advocates. As of this writing the campaign is global, resonating with other major wine regions around the world who see the value in the mission and the message. Current supporters include Wines of Chile, Wines of Australia, the Champagne Bureau, New Zealand Wine and Wines of South Africa. Publishers including the Wine Enthusiast, SommJournal, Tasting Panel and VinePair have offered $50,000 in donated advertising value, both print and digital.

MacNeil states, "We are living in trying times, and we all know that good company, good conversation, laughter, and conviviality contribute to an enhanced lifestyle. We want to encourage people to put down their devices and share in each other's company. Historically and socially, wine has often played a role in facilitating conversation, nurturing new friendships, and deepening old ones."

Over time, the wine industry in the United States has experienced ebbs and flows and has met numerous societal and generational challenges. But the industry has taken those challenges in stride, as wine has often been the preferred beverage when people gather. This is what Come Over October advocates--a chance to share stories, be together, celebrate an event or occasion--ostensibly, a chance to reconnect in a digital world.

Two press conferences have been held to date, one virtual and one in Napa Valley at Joseph Phelps Vineyards.

A press conference is slated for September 23rd in New York City at Corkbuzz, and September 25th in Washington DC in the Longworth Congressional Office Building including the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Wine Caucus, Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA-4) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4). The conference will be followed by a wine reception for Members of Congress and invited guests featuring wine from all fifty states hosted by WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries.

Wine lovers can also follow along on Instagram @comeoveroctober or by following #comeoveroctober.

For the Trade

For the trade, the Come Over October logo, messages and design assets can be used, free of charge, by wineries, wine companies of all types, wine retailers, restaurants and hotels, wine trade groups, and others who

support the positive role moderate wine consumption plays in culture and lifestyle. These are downloadable and accessible on the https://www.comeoveroctober.com/.

Ideas for promotion and amplification can be found on the website and here.

About COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc

COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc is a mission-driven company committed to creating and sharing positive, inclusive consumer information about moderate wine consumption and wine's historic role as a communal beverage.

The company was formed in May 2024 by three wine industry professionals who are donating their time and efforts to the company and its projects and events-wine journalist Karen MacNeil, and public relations and communications executives Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, each of whom owns their own small business.

COME TOGETHER will launch media, digital, and live events and campaigns focusing on wine's unique and positive cultural role as a beverage that brings people together. The company's first campaign-Come Over October-will debut October 2024.

For more information about the Come Over October(tm) campaign and COME TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc, please visit https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/ or email Kimberly Noelle Charles at kcharles@charlescomm.com or Gino Colangelo at gcolangelo@colangelopr.com.

Four months into the launch of the Come Over October inaugural campaign which encourages friends, family and colleagues to "come over" during the month of October to share wine and celebrate connection, the co-founders share that the wine industry and other supporters have helped raised over $100,000 in funding. COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc., creates campaigns and take a strong position on the relevance and significance of wine, historically and contemporarily.

Related link: https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/